Labor Union Blog

By Doug Cuningham

A construction trades policy about to be adopted in Los Angeles will hire more low-income and local residents in projects worth $15 billion over five years. The Los Angeles and Orange County, California Building and Construction Trades Council is leading a coalition of labor, community, and business groups to get it done. Kevin Norton is Organizing Director and Political Coordinator for IBEW Local 11.

[Norton]: “By having an opportunity for people to get into the building trades apprenticeship program, it really gives a ladder up into the middle class for a lot of kids that haven’t had opportunities in life.”

By Doug Cuningham

A construction trades policy about to be adopted in Los Angeles will hire more low-income and local residents in projects worth $15 billion over five years. The Los Angeles and Orange County, California Building and Construction Trades Council is leading a coalition of labor, community and business groups to get it done. Kevin Norton is Organizing Director and Political Coordinator for IBEW Local 11.

[Norton]: “By having an opportunity for people to get into the building trades apprentice program it really gives a ladder up into the middle class for a lot of kids that haven’t had opportunities in life.”

By Jesse Russell

As recently as late February, President George W. Bush has been saying that he doesn’t believe the economy is slipping into a recession:

[Bush]: “I don’t think we’re headed toward a recession, but no question that we’re in a slow down.”

When it comes to those vying for the position currently held by Bush, he pretty much stands alone. Democratic Presidential contenders, Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have made it very clear on the campaign trail and in debates that they believe that the economy is on a downward slope toward a recession. And on Friday, Republican Presidential nominee Senator John McCain joined the chorus at a townhall in Atlanta:

By Jesse Russell

As recently as late February President George W. Bush has been saying that he doesn’t believe the economy is slipping into a recession:

[Bush]: I Don’t think we’re headed toward a recession, but no question that we’re in a slow down.

When it comes to those vying for the position currently held by Bush, he pretty much stands alone. Democratic Presidential contenders Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have made it very clear on the campaign trail and in debates that they believe that the economy is on a downward slope toward a recession. And on Friday, Republican Presidential nominee Senator John McCain joined the chorus at a townhall in Atlanta:

Barb Kucera, editor at Workday Minnesota, describes an action by St. Paul Hubbard Broadcasting workers in support of striking New York union members.

In solidarity with New York television station workers trying to achieve a fair contract, Minnesota union members took their case directly to the station’s owner: St. Paul-based Hubbard Broadcasting.

Several dozen union members rallied this week at KSTP-Channel 5, the flagship station of Hubbard Broadcasting, which also owns WNYT-NewsChannel 13 in Albany, N.Y.

KSTP is nonunion (owner Stanley Hubbard busted a union at the station decades ago), but 90 broadcast employees and technicians at WNYT are represented by NABET-CWA Local 21. They have been without a contract since Sept. 30. Negotiations broke down over numerous management demands for concessions.