November 2008 - Posts

• Health care reform effort gains steam as economy worsens

  By Joan Mazzolini, Cleveland Plain Dealer November 20, 2008 The U.S. economic crisis, rather than hinder health care reform, might hasten it instead. Before the election, health reform advocates said the economic downturn, coupled with the federal bailout of banks, might doom efforts to overhaul the country's health care system. The cost would be too high. But since the election, momentum to overhaul the system has increased, despite -- or maybe because of -- ever-gloomier economic conditions. "If we're going to revive our economy -- if we're going to restore a sense of economic security to ordinary American families -- we have to fix health care," Service Employees International Union President Andy Stern testified Wednesday before the Senate Committee on Finance. Read more. posted Nov 25 2008, 11:21 AM by jwilkinson with no comments

• A Labor Leader for Labor Secretary?

  By Steven Greenhouse, The New York Times November 13, 2008 Andy Stern has an answer for those who are floating his name at the top of a list of potential labor secretaries: Thanks, but no thanks. Mr. Stern, perhaps the nation’s most visible labor leader, is president of the Service Employees International Union, one of the largest and fastest growing unions, with 1.8 million members. With its vast army, budget and political action committee, the service employees union threw more resources into electing Barack Obama than any other labor organization. It mobilized thousands of its members in Florida, Virginia, Ohio and other states. Read more. posted Nov 25 2008, 11:10 AM by jwilkinson with no comments

• The Employee Free Choice Act is needed

  Workers who try to join unions face many challenges by Becky Williams, President, SEIU District 1199 Charleston (WV) Daily Mail Column November 13, 2008 CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- From rising health insurance premiums to stagnant wages, workers are facing enormous 21st century challenges, but laws governing their fundamental right to choose a union are inadequate. These challenges include employer intimidation and harassment in union election drives. The Employee Free Choice Act will ensure that American workers have the freedom to choose to form a union in an atmosphere that is free of employer interference and harassment. A 2005 University of Illinois at Chicago study found that nine of 10 employers force their employees to attend one-on-one anti-union meetings with their supervisors during organizing drives. Read more. posted Nov 25 2008, 11:06 AM by jwilkinson with no comments