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In a series of demonstrations, USW members told lawmakers, including Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.), “Stop Toxic Trade.” |
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Members of the United Steelworkers (USW), together with community and consumer activists in several cities, told their U.S. senators it’s time to “Stop Sweetheart Trade Deals” that have led to a flood of toxic and dangerous imports.
The Valentine Day’s demonstrations were part of the USW’s “Protect Our Kids—Stop Toxic Imports” campaign. The actions follows the National Day of Action in January to stop the import of toxic toys and other products.
Last year, some 1.5 million Thomas the Tank Engine toys, along with more than 6 million other toys, were recalled because of high levels of lead. Other toxic imports that have come to light in recent months include lipstick, toothpaste, seafood, children’s lunch boxes and pet food.
Pointing to the success of neighboring California’s nurse-to-patient ratio law, more than 100 Arizona registered nurses and union and community activists called on state lawmakers to pass the Arizona Patient Protection Act.
During a rally last week, RN Kirk Herbert says he left a job at a Phoenix hospital because he was responsible for 25 patients on the night shift:
Frequently, a patient would have a life-threatening complication, and because I had to tend to them, there was no other nurse to take care of the other 24 patients.
Pointing to the success of neighboring California’s nurse-to-patient ratio law, more than 100 Arizona registered nurses and union and community activists called on state lawmakers to pass the Arizona Patient Protection Act.
During a rally last week, RN Kirk Herbert says he left a job at a Phoenix hospital because he was responsible for 25 patients on the night shift:
Frequently, a patient would have a life-threatening complication, and because I had to tend to them, there was no other nurse to take care of the other 24 patients.
Workers at Dole flower plantations in Colombia got a boost for their efforts to improve working conditions in recent days when 11 national religious leaders sent a message to Dole Fresh Flowers: “Deal justly with your Colombian flower workers.”
The workers at two Dole flower plantations formed the Sintrasplendor and Untrafragancia unions in 2004 and 2005.
But the company has refused to negotiate a contract and has launched an anti-union campaign that includes closing its largest flower plantation after a two-year effort by workers there to form a union.
Workers at Dole flower plantations in Colombia got a boost for their efforts to improve working conditions in recent days when 11 national religious leaders sent a message to Dole Fresh Flowers: “Deal justly with your Colombian flower workers.”
The workers at two Dole flower plantations formed the Sintrasplendor and Untrafragancia unions in 2004 and 2005.
But the company has refused to negotiate a contract and has launched an anti-union campaign that includes closing its largest flower plantation after a two-year effort by workers there to form a union.
Home care workers, registered nurses, air base workers and flight attendants are some of the latest groups of workers to win a voice at work with a union.
In Maryland, 4,000 home care providers voted to join AFSCME earlier this month. The care providers work in the homes of some 20,000 seniors and others with disabilities who otherwise might be forced to live in nursing homes or state facilities.
The home aides were able to choose to join a union after Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) signed an executive order in August 2007, giving some 10,000 home child care and home health care workers the right to join a union
Home care workers, registered nurses, air base workers and flight attendants are some of the latest groups of workers to win a voice at work with a union.
In Maryland, 4,000 home care providers voted to join AFSCME earlier this month. The care providers work in the homes of some 20,000 seniors and others with disabilities who otherwise might be forced to live in nursing homes or state facilities.
The home aides were able to choose to join a union after Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) signed an executive order in August 2007, giving some 10,000 home child care and home health care workers the right to join a union
Amtrak conductors win a contract with a 35.2 percent pay increase over the term of the pact and more highlights from the “Bargaining Digest Weekly.” The AFL-CIO Collective Bargaining Department delivers daily bargaining-related news and research resources to more than 900 subscribers. Union leaders can register for this service through our website, Bargaining@Work.
Work Stoppages
UAW, Volvo Trucks North America: The 2,800 Volvo Trucks North America plant workers, represented by the United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2069, remain on strike. “This is our future,” explained Carol Burton, a 45-year-old worker who installs truck cabs. “We’ll stay out here as long as it takes.” Volvo spokesman Jim McNamara confirmed the plant was not in production, but declined to talk about when or how production might resume.
Amtrak conductors win a contract with a 35.2 percent pay increase over the term of the pact and more highlights from the “Bargaining Digest Weekly.” The AFL-CIO Collective Bargaining Department delivers daily bargaining-related news and research resources to more than 900 subscribers. Union leaders can register for this service through our website, Bargaining@Work.
Work Stoppages
UAW, Volvo Trucks North America: The 2,800 Volvo Trucks North America plant workers, represented by the United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2069, remain on strike. “This is our future,” explained Carol Burton, a 45-year-old worker who installs truck cabs. “We’ll stay out here as long as it takes.” Volvo spokesman Jim McNamara confirmed the plant was not in production, but declined to talk about when or how production might resume.
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