CNN Ordered to Rehire 100 Employees by NLRB
Did you know CNN was anti-union? The 11-year dispute stems from CNN’s decision to replace a unionized subcontractor called Team Video Services, which provided the network with audio and video technicians, with an in-house nonunion work force in its Washington and New York bureaus.
UAW Plans another Push at VW Plant in Tennessee
After losing a closely contested election earlier this year, the UAW and workers aren't retreating, they're responding.
Image of Week via UFCW Local 400
Actor Vicki Lawrence, in a 1985 UFCW campaign: "Unions stand up for what people need—good salary, reasonable job security, appreciation for a job well done, and a chance to use their abilities—and United Food and Commercial Workers International Union is one of the best unions!"
WHAT'S NEWS THIS WEEK
1. A&P Completes Debt Refinancing
The company has completed a refinancing of its existing senior debt — a covenant-free arrangement the company said “provides for a significant reduction in interest expense and enhanced liquidity and reflects the debt market’s confidence in [its] ongoing progress and prospects for future growth.”
2. Dozens of JFK Airport Workers Strike
Baggage handlers, skycaps and wheelchair attendants walked off the job on Wednesday morning, saying their employer, Alstate Maintenance, had engaged in a variety of unfair labor practices. Meanwhile American Airlines Workers voted to unionize this week!
3. Demonizing the Minimum Wage
The New Yorker explains why the fight to raise the minimum wage has become a dividing political issue in Washington, when it should just be the right and obvious thing to do. The federal minimum wage has never been indexed to cost of living, and over 73% of Americans want the minimum wage raised to $10.10.
4. Walmart Imposes Fake Sugar Tax in NY, Overcharges Customers for Sodas, Fined $66k
The attorney general’s office says the retail chain launched a national sale in June advertising Coca-Cola 12-packs for $3, but consumers at 117 Wal-Mart stores in New York were routinely charged $3.50.
Investigators say consumers who complained were falsely told the state has a “sugar tax.” They say the markup of more than 16% violated two laws.
5. Clinton Urges for Passage of 9/11 Compensation Act
6. NYC Bike Share (CitiBike) Joins TWU
More than 200 workers in New York City’s Citi Bike program chose the Transport Workers (TWU) to help make their jobs, good jobs.
7. Walmart Heirs Give to Charity Just Like they Pay their Workers...Very Little
UGH, Even the Waltons find a way to screw people when giving to charity: This analysis, by Making Change at Walmart, only includes giving to the private charitable foundations associated with the individuals and families on the list. That means that direct giving without going through the foundation isn't included. But the Waltons aren't giving a lot to their own family foundation—in fact, they're using it to get out of future estate taxes—so it doesn't seem likely that they're secretly giving huge amounts of money to charities directly while not giving to their foundation.
8. Here's Why Protecting Workers Standards and Wages Should be Important to YOU!
8a. Which Industry CEOs are ripping off workers the most? (Hint it's Fast and it's Food)
9. Largest Union Victory in South in Decades: American Airlines Votes to Unionize
Video: Ed Show American Airlines Workers Overwhelmingly Vote to Unionize
10. Workers Deserve to benefit for their Productivity, too
11. GOP Blocks Bill to Allow Students to Refinance Student Loans
Shameless Plugs:
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This October: Fight Cancer Weekend: Register for Breast Cancer & Light the Night Walks this October
