Labor Union Blog

Economic Report:

A new report from Career Builder says 20 percent of employers expect to create full-time jobs in 2010, that’s an increase of six percent over 2009. Sixty-one percent of those surveyed said they expect to keep jobs status quo over the next year. Part-time employment will also be up slightly as 11 percent of employers said they will create new positions. Thirty-seven percent of those surveyed expect to cut benefits and perks in the new year.

Workers for a soft drink maker in South Africa continue to fight for higher wages. Jesse Russell reports:

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Three hundred workers at a Hugo Boss suit plant in Ohio learned Wednesday that the plant would be closing. The German-based company said the Cleveland plant is no longer globally competitive and as a result needs to be shuttered. The collective bargaining agreement with Workers’ United will be terminated in April of 2010 when the plant is closed. The company promised to continue to employ the workers until that month even if production needs “diminish.” The union will being negotiations for a fair severance package for the workers.

Wednesday saw the launch of a new government website dedicated to the dangers of “distracted” driving. The website is intended to inform federal workers with facts about driving while talking on a cell phone, texting, and not paying attention while behind the wheel of a car. The launch of the website coincided with the start of a new executive order that bans federal workers from sending text messages while driving a government vehicle or while in a personal vehicle on government business. The order was signed by President Barack Obama in October.

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Illinois Firefighter (IAFF) Greg Curry’s elk-hunting adventure in some of Colorado’s most breathtaking countryside kicks off the fourth season of ”Escape to the Wild” on VERUS Country. The season premiere of the show, which takes union members on once-in-a-lifetime hunting and fishing adventures, will air Sunday, Jan. 3, at 9:30 a.m. EST.  

The show is a union-sponsored television series of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP). “Escape to the Wild” is supported by the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA), a joint venture of the TRCP and 21 unions to promote conservation and access for hunters and anglers.

While the show chronicles each union member’s outdoor adventure, it also gives viewers a look into the lives of the winners—their struggles, their triumphs and their commitment to their union, families and the outdoors. 

Some other lucky winners this year have included Southwest Airlines flight attendant Karen Carrolan, a Transport Workers Union (TWU) member who does all she can to convince other women that hunting is cool, and Bricklayers (BAC) member and Ireland native William Higgins. 

Tune in to VERSUS Country this season as winners pursue exotic Africa game, follow the bugle of bull elk, play tug-of-war with Guatemala sailfish, hunt for caribou on the endless tundra, outwit whitetail across the U.S. and hunt black bear on Vancouver Island. 

Encore airings of each show are on Mondays at 12:30 p.m. and Thursdays at 2 p.m. EST. Check your local listings.