Richard Trumka speech at Netroots Nation

Richard Trumka, AFL-CIO President, was a speaker at the plenary on “building a Progressive Economic Vision” at last week’s Netroots Nation convention in Las Vegas. Other panelists were consumer advocate Elizabeth Warren, progressive Florida Democratic Rep. Alan Grayson, Center for Community Change Executive Director Deepak Bhargava, Green for All’s Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins and National People’s Action Executive Director George [...]

Drawing Lessons from the Settlement of the SEIU-UNITE HERE Conflict

by Paul Garver Talking Union has now posted statements by SEIU and by UNITE HERE on the settlement of their conflict We have also posted opinion pieces by Randy Shaw and by Amy Dean setting forth their thoughts on the implications of the SEIU-UNITE HERE conflict and its settlement. In addition, we recommend you read [...]

Implications of the SEIU/UniteHere Settlement

by Randy Shaw The July 26 settlement between UNITE HERE and SEIU ended a divisive conflict that badly hurt the labor movement. While the agreement paves the way for closer cooperation around immigrant rights and November’s elections, the once close relationship between SEIU and UNITE HERE is unlikely to be restored anytime soon, if ever. [...]

From Civil War to Labor Vision

The announcement of a settlement between two rivaling unions should be an occasion for us to refocus on what the labor movement is really about. By Amy B. Dean To the outside world, hearing that unions are fighting amongst themselves does not seem like anything new. Sadly, that’s what a lot of people expect from [...]

Two More Campus Anti-Sweatshop Movement Victories

by Paul Garver The anti-sweatshop movement on American campuses has chalked up two more victories in its battle to assist Honduran and Dominican workers in winning improved working conditions in the apparel industry. On 26th July Nike announced that it would pay $1.54 million in compensation to 1800 workers who were denied legally required severance [...]

United Steel Workers and Mexican Union Mineros Explore Merger

by Dan La Botz The proposed merger of the USW and the Mexican union, Mineros, would create an international union of one million metal workers and miners. The United Steelworkers (USW), which represents 850,000 workers in Canada, the Caribbean, and the United States, and the National Union of Miners and Metal Workers (SNTMMSRM), known as [...]

SEIU, Workers United, and UNITE HERE Settle Disputes

Rumored by reports in recent days, it is now official.  The SEIU, UNITEHERE, and Workers United announced, late on the evening of July 26, a settlement of their dispute. First, we present the SEIU press release which is followed by a statement from UniteHere President John Wilhelm. SEIU Press Release The Service Employees International Union [...]

Mexican Workers Fight Repression with Global Solidarity

Mexico was the focus of the Saturday July 10 luncheon session at the LabourStart Global Solidarity Conference. The two speakers were uniquely qualified to address the growing repression of union under the government of Felipe Calderón. Benedicto Martinez Orozco is a Co-president of the Frente Auténtico del Trabajois. Translating is Robin Alexander, International Affairs Director [...]

Eliseo Medina, SEIU VP, speaks at “civil rights in modern era” panel at Netroots Nation

Eliseo Medina, international vice president of the Service Employees International Union, spoke at a panel on “civil rights in the modern era” at the just concluded Netroots Nation convention in Las Vegas.  Medina reviewed the impact of Arizona’s SB 1070.

Atlanta Hearing Demands Big Banks Help Struggling Homeowners

On July 22, on the AFL-CIO Now Blog, James Parks reported: In Atlanta—one of the areas hardest hit by foreclosures—residents who are about to lose their homes today demanded that Big Banks like Wachovia/Wells Fargo reform their policies and protect homeowners on the brink of homelessness. More than 200 people, including community groups, clergy and [...]