Top 10 Stories This Week:

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REI Pledges to not open Black Friday, will still pay employees

REI will be sacrificing one of its top business days when it closes its 143 retail stores on Black Friday to encourage customers to spend time outside, and give employees a break, read more.

WHAT'S NEWS THIS WEEK 1. UFCW Local 1500 Members Raise Over $60k in One Month to Battle Leukemia-Lymphoma, Breast Cancer It's gotta be some kind of record. Great job! 2. What decline in Unions means for next generation's income One study finds kids who grew up in union families earn more when they enter the workforce.

3. McDonald's Fights to Pay Workers Less McDonald's and the government are battling over how much control the corporation exerts on its franchises. The government says McDonald's controls the working conditions and payment of employees at stores operated by franchisees, which make up about 90 percent of McDonald's stores. But McDonald's disputes the claim, arguing its franchisees are independent operators.

4. New York's Much Needed New Task Force to Combat Worker Exploitation Governor Andrew Cuomo announced an initiative to combat worker exploitation in New York, including investigations focused on employers who are serial offenders, along with the creation of a hotline for reporting worker abuse.

5. Top 100 CEOs in US are sitting on a $5 billion Retirement Nest Egg Forget retirement worries: once a fat cat, always a fat cat. The top 100 chief executive are sitting on pension pots worth $4.9bn (£3.2bn) – equal to the total retirement savings of 116 million of the poorest Americans, according to a study released by the Institute of Policy Studies on Wednesday.

6. It's Halloween, How About Some Union-Made Candy For Your Trick-or-Treaters? Notable favs: Sour Patch Kids (are you serious?), Tootsie-Roll (classic), Baby Ruth (just for the Mets tonight).

7. A&P Puts Brand, Banners, Data Up For Sale For all archived A&P bankruptcy updates head here.

8. In Depth Read: The Life & Death of an Amazon Temp-Worker

9. Brooklyn Warehouse Workers Fight to Form a Union...End Discrimination Raising banners into the cold Atlantic wind, 100 warehouse workers from Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala marched on October 18 to the Manhattan showroom of their boss, B&H Photo Video, the nation’s largest non-chain camera store. - See more at: http://labornotes.org/2015/10/brooklyn-warehouse-workers-fight-form-union-end-discrimination#sthash.Ap6mgKsJ.dpuf Raising banners into the cold Atlantic wind, 100 warehouse workers from Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala marched on October 18 to the Manhattan showroom of their boss, B&H Photo Video, the nation’s largest non-chain camera store Raising banners into the cold Atlantic wind, 100 warehouse workers from Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala marched on October 18 to the Manhattan showroom of their boss, B&H Photo Video, the nation’s largest non-chain camera store. - See more at: http://labornotes.org/2015/10/brooklyn-warehouse-workers-fight-form-union-end-discrimination#sthash.Ap6mgKsJ.dpuf Raising banners into the cold Atlantic wind, 100 warehouse workers from Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala marched on October 18 to the Manhattan showroom of their boss, B&H Photo Video, the nation’s largest non-chain camera store. - See more at: http://labornotes.org/2015/10/brooklyn-warehouse-workers-fight-form-union-end-discrimination#sthash.Ap6mgKsJ.dpuf Raising banners into the cold Atlantic wind, 100 warehouse workers from Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala marched on October 18 to the Manhattan showroom of their boss, B&H Photo Video, the nation’s largest non-chain camera store. - See more at: http://labornotes.org/2015/10/brooklyn-warehouse-workers-fight-form-union-end-discrimination#sthash.Ap6mgKsJ.dpuf

STATISTIC OF THE WEEK via NYC Central Labor Council

One worker was killed and another severely injured in a partial building collapse this morning in Manhattan.  There have been 7 worker deaths on non-union construction sites since September alone.  The correlation between the amount of non-union construction around the City and the staggering level of injuries and fatalities is one that must be addressed by City officials and developers.

Top 10 Stories Last Week:

FEATURED

Wall Street's Yearly Bonuses Could Literally Double Pay for All Minimum Wage Workers

New York State Comptroller’s office released its annual report on the bonuses paid to an estimated 167,800 employees of Wall Street banks. Just to be clear (maybe you should sit down, away from sharp objects), this is the amount of money paid to Wall Street bank employees in addition to already lucrative salaries: The report estimates the average base salary in the securities industry for 2013 was $190,970.

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WHAT'S NEWS THIS WEEK 1. NY Assembly Democrats seek $15 min wage in NYC, Westchester 2. Fresh Direct to be Sued for Punishing Employees During Massive Snow Storm Remember that wonderful snow storm we had a few months ago? Remember when a State of Emergency was declared? Well, Fresh Direct didn't really care, they're now being sued by UFCW Local 2013 who reps the workers.

3. Target is Refusing to Raise its Minimum Wage, Some People Aren't Happy

4. Fairway Market's new 'BIG' Campaign Checkout the new PR campaign from Fairway Market.

5. Scott Walker Signed In Right to Work Laws in Wisconsin, Here's Why they Won't Deliver Good Paying Jobs. Related: Unions plan to file suit against Right to Work Law in Wisconsin Right to work: Anti-Union Bills Multiply Last Week's Update: Walker Attacks Private Sector Workers

6. Look at all these countries battling inequality better than the United States Wait...What?

7. Fresh Market is looking for a new CEO The North Carolina chain's nationwide expansion has had some issues.

8. Mayor de Blasio Quietly Raising Funds for future Policy Battles

9. Dollar General: Focus on Raising Labor Standards Is this a growing trend in the retail world?  Now discount stores are joining in.

10. President Obama Read Mean Tweets About Himself on Jimmy Kimmel Last Night

11. Good Read: Retailers Suddenly Desperate to Keep 'Least Valuable' Employees 12. UFCW 1500 March Newsletter, Now Online Read the latest edition of the Register, featuring stories on Fairway negotiations, Stop & Shop and King Kullen negotiations, and much more from your union, UFCW Local 1500. Elsewhere & Out There: 32BJ reached a deal in the Bronx this week. The DOL recovered $13k for Syracuse Bus Drivers American and British Aid Workers Infected with Ebola in Sierra Leone Feel Good: Robert Downey Jr. gave a bionic arm to a 7 year old with one arm Wisdom: Before I Go: A neurosurgeon's ideas on time and life. Triangle Factory Fire 104th Commemoration: Wednesday, March 25, 11:30AM: Save the date. Thank You: It's often a thankless job, so we'd like to say, thank you. And thank you for being a subscriber.

Shameless Plugs: Union Blood Drive is coming up on March 24th.  If you're interested in donating let us know! Union Plus Benefits: You're eligible for discounts on cell phone bills, mortgages, gyms and more! Find out here.

 

What's News This Week: Arrests, Car Wash, Target Job Cuts

FEATURED

 

Elected Officials, UFCW International President Arrested at Brooklyn Car Wash Solidarity Rally

 

In a show of solidarity for striking workers, two Brooklyn councilmen along with RWDSU President and UFCW President were arrested for blocking traffic in an act of civil disobedience.  The car wash workers are victims of wage theft.  Last November, the owner of Vegas Auto Spa in Park Slope alleged he stole more than $600,000 from workers.  Workers recently voted to join the RWDSU.

 

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WHAT'S NEWS THIS WEEK   1. Kroger's Market Share Grows in 18 Areas   Kroger Co. is giving Walmart a run for its money. In fiscal 2014 Kroger gained market share in 18 of 20 markets tracked by Nielsen, and Walmart is a major player in 15 of those markets, Kroger said in a conference call with analysts on Thursday.    Related:  Kroger Beats Wall Street Expectations, Shares Rise   Lower fuel prices, better-than-expected inventory charges and a solid core operating result all boosted Q4 earnings to $1.04 a share.     2. Ahold to Lay Off 120 in Central Offices   As part of an internal restructuring effort, Ahold announced its eliminating jobs in Carlisle, Pa., and Quincy, Mass.   Related: Stop & Shop Asks for Feedback on Store Brands   Joe Kelley, Out as President of Stop & Shop's New England Division

3. U.S. Adds 295k Jobs in February- Jobless Rate Falls to 5.5%   Related: Two charts show why the job market is still hurting.

4. City Reaches Deal with Building Trades   The de Blasio administration reached a project labor agreement with the Building & Construction Trades Council of Greater NY, covering $3.5 billion of work and repairs at the NYC Housing Authority over the next three years.

5. NY Papa John's Franchisee to Pay $2M for Wage Theft   The owner of five Harlem Papa John's Pizza franchises underpaid his delivery workers by millions of dollars, according to a criminal suit filed by Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

6. Wisconsin, Round Two: Walker Attacks Private Sector Workers   The Presidential candidate is making his rounds attacking workers.  What happens nationally if he does get elected?

7. Fresh Market will exit California by 3/31   The North Carolina chains troubled expansion will close its California stores by the end of the month.

8. Target Plans to Eliminate 'Several Thousand' Jobs   More @ SN News   Related: Target turns to Hispanic Shoppers for Salvation

9. Whole Foods: Positioned for Success -  Analysts   Analysts are high on Whole Foods for the next few years.

10. Organics are taking off at Costco   Evolving with the times, Costco is increasing its organic offerings.

11. 395 Voting Restrictions Have Been Introduced in 49 States since 2011   Clearly voting rights are under attack.   Related: Very interesting read and plan: How Oregon Hopes to Register Every Eligible Voter     12. UFCW 1500 March Newsletter, Now Online   Read the latest edition of the Register, featuring stories on Fairway negotiations, Stop & Shop and King Kullen negotiations, and much more from your union, UFCW Local 1500.   Related: UFCW General Membership Meeting: March 11th     13. Thousands of Grad Students at Columbia, Brown, Yale, Seek to Form a Union   “I’m Anna. I’m in the history department. I want a union because I want to be able to do this work I love and have a safety net.”   14. NYT Editorial of the Week: Walmart's Visible Hand     Elsewhere & Out There:   Self-Driving cars will be in 30 U.S. cities by end of 2016   Editorial: Charter Schools Do Not Equal Education Reform   Coalition of Immokalee Workers Take Aim at Wendy's   Federal Regulators Link Workers Comp Failures to Income Inequality   Thank You: It's often a thankless job, so we'd like to say, thank you. And thank you for being a subscriber.

 

Shameless Plugs:

 

Union Blood Drive is coming up on March 24th.  If you're interested in donating let us know!

 

Union Plus Benefits: You're eligible for discounts on cell phone bills, mortgages, gyms and more! Find out here.

 

 

Top 10 Stories This Week, What We Read: Right-to-Work, Fairway, Walmart Raises

FEATURED

Wisconsin Lawmakers Pass Right-to-Work Laws as Thousands Protest

Republican leaders chose to fast-track the bill in what's known as an extraordinary legislative session, allowing for less debate than usual.

Debate over the bill drew thousands of protesters to the state Capitol on Tuesday and Wednesday, reminiscent of the passionate labor demonstrations surrounding Act 10 in 2011. But as with that earlier legislation, which stripped most collective bargaining rights from public-sector employees, vocal opposition from the state's unions wasn't enough to stop the right-to-work bill in its tracks. Read more. 

This is another step in the direction of slashing wages and destroying labor unions.

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WHAT'S NEWS THIS WEEK 1. Fairway Members Demand Company Negotiate the Fair Way With their contract expiring in a month, Fairway members have been wearing solidarity buttons demanding the company negotiate fairly.  Their contract expires on March 29, 2015. Stop & Shop and King Kullen negotiations resume next week. 2. Next Goal for Walmart Workers: More Hours "It's not going to help us. We need hours," said Mr. Rodriguez, a Walmart worker after hearing the news of Walmart's promise to raise wages for hundreds of thousands of workers.  Read President Both's comments regarding the wage increase.  And read what you should really know about Walmart's wage increase by Michelle Chen. Related: TJ Maxx, Marshall's, to Hike Minimum Wage for Workers Good things come in threes and this move clearly shows how much of a trendsetter Walmart is.  Next stop: Guaranteed hours and a union contract.

3. Minimum Wage for NYC's Tipped Workers to be Increased to $7.50 Huge victory for workers in NYC.  Governor Cuomo appeared with labor leaders at a union hall in Manhattan to celebrate the decision and to repeat his own call for an increase in the statewide minimum wage for nontipped workers to $10.50 an hour. Mr. Cuomo also restated his view that the general minimum wage in the city should be even higher, $11.50 an hour, because of the higher cost of living.

4. Lawsuit Claims Ex-Target Employee Committed Suicide After Managers Humiliated, Fired him in Store A truly horrific and tragic story emerging out of California regarding the shaming and humiliation of a Target employee, which allegedly lead to his suicide.

5. People Can Live Long, or Have Pensions, Not Both The Wall Street Journal has some daunting numbers on pension plans, and how the more we avoid death through modern science, our growing age, is out right killing pension plans.

6. Recreational Marijuana Now Legal in DC Adults 21 and over man now legally use marijuana, possess up to two ounces and up to six plants in their homes for personal use.

7. Food "Critically Important" to Target's Growth The company just announced its offering free shipping to online orders over $25 and its dependence on food is the future of Target.

8. Most Absurd Comment of the Week: "Union Battles Prepared Scott Walker to Take on Islamic State" No comment.

9. Judge Orders Christie to Fund and Obey Pension Laws If you want your head to spin read this story- Governor Christie’s lawyers argued that the 2011 law—which the governor initiated, promoted and signed – was unconstitutional. It was an argument that bewildered virtually everyone, including the judge, and proved beyond doubt that Christie has no credibility on the issue.  At the end of the day he's ordered to pay over a billion into the Pension Fund.

10. 13 Labor Events & Organizers to Teach About During Black History Month As Black History month draws to a close, look back at these events and the connection to labor.

11. Net Neutrality, Explained Hot topic, but often confusing.  In short the debate on whether or not your Internet provider can slow down your Netflix for any reason or ban a certain website is ongoing on in Washington.  The FCC has approved and created rules for a 'Free Internet'. 12. Editorial: When Home Care Workers Can't Care for Themselves... Follow up on a previously reported story, the struggle health care workers have, caring for their own ailments, injuries and health. Report: Hospitals Fails to Protect Nurses from becoming Patients According to surveys by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are more than 35,000 back and other injuries among nursing employees every year, severe enough that they have to miss work. 13. In LA: Oil Refinery Workers Strike, Vent about Stress & Long Hours During the recent wave of protests around the nation over the killing of unarmed blacks by police, an old ally has reemerged to march in step with African-Americans seeking justice — organized labor. Elsewhere NYC News via NYC CLC: Mayor De Blasio reached an agreement with the Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR SEIU) 22 Day NYC UAW Strike Ends  Read more at NY Law Journal (subscription required). Brooklyn men who plotted to join ISIS, were foiled by online posts. Related: Teenage Girl Leaves for ISIS, Others Follow Thank You: It's often a thankless job, so we'd like to say, thank you. And thank you for being a subscriber.

 

Shameless Plugs:

 

Union Blood Drive is coming up on March 24th.  If you're interested in donating let us know!

 

Union Plus Benefits: You're eligible for discounts on cell phone bills, mortgages, gyms and more! Find out here.