Labor Union Blog

By Doug Cunningham

SEIU is organizing a rally in Chicago October 27th to hold big banks accountable for both their roles in nearly plunging the nation into a depression and their failure to truly stimulate the economy for working people, despite being bailed out by us. Change To Win Chair Anna Burger told Workers Independent News that new financial industry regulations and consumer protections are vital to hold big banks accountable while protecting workers from future reckless actions by financial institutions.

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By Doug Cunningham

At SEIU’s Illinois convention in Chicago over the weekend Governor Pat Quinn said SEIU is a strong voice for working families on a range of issues.

[Gov. Quinn]: “SEIU is a strong union. It’s a strong voice for working people. They’ve organized all across our state helping people who do some of the hardest jobs in our society, and helping them get a decent wage, decent working conditions and decent health care. And I really believe in that. I believe in SEIU. They’re fired up and ready to go when it comes to

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By Doug Cunningham

SEIU President Andy Stern says while it remains to be seen exactly how President Obama closes the deal on healthcare reform, Stern is convinced
that real reform is coming.

[Stern]: “The Baucus bill is the floor and the ceiling is way higher. Affordability is really the issue and that goes to can people that work be able to pay for their health care and do we have real competition through a public option. So I’m incredibly excited about the opportunity. We’re gonna do this.”

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Making the transition from military life to a civilian life is not easy. Many veterans and their families are unprepared when that day comes. Now Helmets to Hardhats, a nonprofit program of the AFL-CIO’s Building and Construction Trades Department (BCTD), has launched a new website to help veterans better prepare for re-entry into civilian life.

Good to Go (G2G) provides service members with customizable checklists that cover everything from employment and housing to setting goals for the future. 

Says Darrell Roberts, executive director of Helmets to Hardhats:

The best welcome home for a returning service member is a seamless transition into a quality civilian career.

The G2G checklists recommend actions that should be taken one year before mustering out and then offers additional suggestions at months nine, six, three and one prior to discharge. Each task is designed to help returning veterans recognize and overcome common hurdles in the transition process.

G2G also encourages family and friends to help their loved ones achieve success by adopting specific tasks to help ensure a smooth transition.

On the G2G website, www.areyoug2g.com, enter the service member’s discharge date to gain access to customizable checklists applicable to each service member’s specific situation.

The checklist enables vets to assign various tasks to family and friends and set e-mail alerts that will periodically remind everyone about tasks that need to be completed prior to discharge.

The G2G discharge date countdown clock can be downloaded to Facebook pages as well.

Helmets to Hardhats helps match vets and soon-to-be vets with apprenticeship and training programs offered by the BCTD’s 15 unions. Veterans can use their G.I. Bill education benefits as they complete the certified apprentice programs. Helmets to Hardhats has helped more than 5,000 military vets find new careers as electricians, plumbers, roofers and other skilled trades.