Labor Union Blog

Lede: According to a new study on immigrant economic impact in the U.S. immigration and economic growth and production go hand-in-hand. Doug Cunningham has more on the report.

By Doug Cunningham

Funded by SEIU 32BJ and the Carnegie Foundation, the Fiscal Policy Institute report assessed immigrant economic impact in the 25 largest U.S. metro economies. It found that instead of hurting the economy, immigrants contribute to the economy in the same proportion as their numbers in the population. Hector Figeuroa is Secretary-Treasurer of SEIU 32BJ in New York City.

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The Florida AFL-CIO continues to fight a $1.2 billion proposal to build a 61-mile rail line in the state. Dubbed SunRail, the labor organization is concerned under the current wording it could result in non-union workers getting jobs. The Florida legislature is planning to begin discussion on the current SunRail proposal December 3.

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Shoppers at Home Depot stores in Toledo and Bowling Green, Ohio were greeted by inflatable rats on Friday as union members called for a boycott. The Northwest Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council says a new Home Depot distribution center is going to be built by out-of-state workers. Ohio has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country and the organization alleges the plan is a disservice to the laid off workers in the region. The council says Home Deport can expect to continue seeing rats on the premises until the chain sits down and discusses the option of hiring local.

AFT and the children’s advocacy group Save the Children have partnered in a Valentine’s Day 2010 Card Contest as part of Save the Children’s campaign to end child poverty in the nation. You can help pick the winning cards.

The five winning designs—one each from kindergarten through grade 2; grades 3-5; 6-8; 9-10; and 11-12—will be printed on cards and used to create a Valentine’s Day card set. Those who donate to benefit Save the Children’s programs will receive the gift card set free. Each winning artist will receive a $500 U.S. savings bond.  

Using specially developed materials and lessons from AFT, teachers in classrooms across the country have helped young people express their artistry and creativity to illustrate the contest theme: “Uniting a Generation.” Using the traditional Valentine heart images, the students are encouraged to explore its symbolism as standing for values such as unity, loyalty, compassion, honesty and responsibility.

AFT says for “all children to be successful and productive citizens,”

key values must be taught, encouraged and nurtured throughout a child’s school career. These values are especially important for high-poverty students who are at a higher risk of dropping out of school.

Each participating school was allowed to submit one entry in each grade category. Five entries from each category will be selected and posted online at www.savethechildren.org/cardcontest beginning Dec. 14. Voters have until Dec. 22 to cast their ballots for the wining design.