Labor Union Blog

Mass layoffs were down across the United States in April. The number of Americans losing jobs through mass layoffs was 271,226 – down 28,162 since March. Those numbers were released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday. The highest number of mass layoffs came from the manufacturing sector with accounted for 35 percent of such actions in April.

Mass layoffs were down across the United States in April. The number of Americans losing jobs through mass layoffs was 271,226 – down 28,162 since March. Those numbers were released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday. The highest number of mass layoffs came from the manufacturing sector with accounted for 35 percent of such actions in April.

Lede: A change may be coming the rules that govern union organizing at Fed-Ex. Doug Cunningham explains.

By Doug Cunningham
The U.S. House has approved a bill that would let Fed-Ex workers organize unions by voting locally. It’s a boost to the Teamsters union efforts to organize Fed-Ex workers. Fed-Ex workers now are operating under labor rules in the National Railway Act while UPS’s workforce is covered under a different set of labor rules under the National Labor Relations Act. UPS says this change, if approved by the Senate, would level the playing field between the two competitors. Teamsters President Jim Hoffa says the House has done the right thing here. He says Fed-Ex workers have been deprived of their right to form unions just like workers at other package delivery companies. UPS agrees, saying that two companies performing the same service should be treated equally under labor laws. Fed-Ex has threatened what some view as a form of blackmail, threatening not to buy 30 new Boeing jets if this provision on union organizing at Fed-Ex becomes law.

Lede: A change may be coming the rules that govern union organizing at Fed-Ex. Doug Cunningham explains.

By Doug Cunningham
The U.S. House has approved a bill that would let Fed-Ex workers organize unions by voting locally. It’s a boost to the Teamsters union efforts to organize Fed-Ex workers. Fed-Ex workers now are operating under labor rules in the National Railway Act while UPS’s workforce is covered under a different set of labor rules under the National Labor Relations Act. UPS says this change, if approved by the Senate, would level the playing field between the two competitors. Teamsters President Jim Hoffa says the House has done the right thing here. He says Fed-Ex workers have been deprived of their right to form unions just like workers at other package delivery companies. UPS agrees, saying that two companies performing the same service should be treated equally under labor laws. Fed-Ex has threatened what some view as a form of blackmail, threatening not to buy 30 new Boeing jets if this provision on union organizing at Fed-Ex becomes law.

Wisconsin is the most recent state in the union to make drastic decisions as it faces a looming budget gap. On Friday, the state announced a proposal to slash 1,400 jobs – that’s up 300 from the 1100 job cuts Governor Jim Doyle had proposed earlier this month. The state is facing a $1.6 billion budget gap and includes a cut of 2.5 percent in aid to schools. Doyle said on Friday that is workers are willing to sacrifice a 2 percent pay increase scheduled for June he could spare 400 jobs. That would come on top of a potential proposal to furlough state workers up to 16 days during the next budget cycle – essentially an additional pay cut.

Wisconsin is the most recent state in the union to make drastic decisions as it faces a looming budget gap. On Friday the state announced a proposal to slash 1,400 jobs – that’s up 300 from the 1100 job cuts Governor Jim Doyle had proposed earlier this month. The state is facing a $1.6 billion budget gap and includes a cut of 2.5 percent in aid to schools. Doyle said on Friday that is workers are willing to sacrifice a 2 percent pay increase scheduled for June he could spare 400 jobs. That would come on top of a potential proposal to furlough state workers up to 16 days during the next budget cycle – essentially an additional pay cut.

Actors’ Equity has launched a nationwide campaign to become the first union honored with a U.S. postal stamp. The union is petitioning the U.S. Postal Service to issue a stamp commemorating the union’s 100th birthday on May 26, 2013.

Equity is applying for the stamp to spotlight a century of professional theater in America and Equity’s unique contribution to our nation’s art and culture. The process is highly competitive and must begin years in advance.

The postmaster general of the United States, who makes the final decision on which stamps are issued, requires applicants to start the petitioning process at least three years in advance of the proposed issue date.

Equity President Mark Zimmerman says:

We’re very excited about the upcoming centennial and the possibility of a commemorative stamp to celebrate the contribution of professional American actors and stage managers to the history and culture of the United States. Our goal is to sign up at least 10,000 people.

You can join Equity’s campaign for a commemorative stamp by signing a petition here. The union also plans to reach out to elected officials and celebrities to endorse the effort to commission a stamp.

Equity negotiates wages and working conditions for its members and provides a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. Over the course of the past 96 years, Equity has stood against segregation in theater audiences and casts, fought the blacklists of the 1950s, banded together to stem the spread of AIDS and combat the proliferation of nonunion touring companies across the country.