Friday, May 31, 2013

Today's Teamster News, 05.31.13

(UPDATES with new item in final graf.)
Tax breaks benefit rich households the most, report says  Los Angeles Times   ...Tax breaks benefit U.S. households unevenly, with the top 1% receiving more than 17% of the savings in 2013...
Unions Press to End Favored Trade Status for Bangladesh  New York Times   ...After several deadly factory disasters in Bangladesh — including the collapse of an eight-story garment factory that left at least 1,127 people dead, labor advocates are stepping up pressure on the Obama administration, calling for it to convey its disapproval of working conditions in the country by revoking its special trade status...
Walmart Protest Movement Grows As Workers Strike Again  Huffington Post   ...As Walmart workers this week resume strikes at stores around the nation, organizers are saying that more employees than ever have joined the ranks of the activists, with some experts going so far as to say that the movement has achieved critical mass…
Labor groups launch three-pronged fight to pass 'Walmart' bill  Sacramento Bee   ...California labor unions have launched a lobbying, direct mail and online advertising blitz in support of legislation to penalize large employers if wages they pay are not high enough to keep workers off Medi-Cal rolls...
Costco's Profit Soars To $459 Million As Low-Wage Competitors Struggle   Huffington Post ...At a time when other retailers are struggling to get people into stores, Costco is enjoying a moment in the sun. The company boosted its profits while paying its workers a decent wage, a claim many of Costco’s competitors, including Walmart and Target, can’t make...
Protesters To Koch Brothers: Keep Your Hands Off Tribune!  Forbes   ...It’s not clear exactly how serious Charles and David Koch are about buying Tribune Co.’s newspapers, but their critics are completely serious about stopping them...
Republican lawmakers trampling democracy in Michigan (opinion)  Michigan Live   ...Democracy is dying in Michigan, thanks to our Republican legislators. First, changing voting districts increased their chances of winning elections. Then, they ignored the wishes of the people by passing a Right-to-Work bill which cannot be repealed because it is tied to appropriations. Wait---There’s more…
Watchdogs oppose NC undercover investigations bill  Associated Press   ...A North Carolina bill criminalizing undercover investigations into workplace abuses has drawn opposition from at least 25 animal welfare, worker and watchdog groups...
Seattle fast food workers walk off the job  Seattle Times   ...A strike by fast food workers has hit restaurants in Seattle yesterday and organizers say more restaurants have been targeted by the movement...
Court Says Rick Scott Cannot Require Drug Testing for All Florida State Workers  Huffington Post   ...A federal appeals court ruled on Wednesday that Florida Gov. Rick Scott cannot require all state employees to take random drug tests and told the state to identify which government workers it believes should undergo periodic testing...
Motorola announces Texas facility making first US-assembled smartphones, creating 2,000 jobs  Associated Press   ...Cellphone pioneer Motorola announced it’s opening a Texas manufacturing facility that will create 2,000 jobs and produce its new flagship device, Moto X, the first smartphone ever assembled in the U.S...
10-year strike at Congress Plaza Hotel is over   Chicago Tribune   ...A 10-year strike at the Congress Plaza hotel in downtown Chicago -- believed to be the longest hotel strike in the world --has ended...
Transportation Department Names Teamsters To Freight Advisory Committee  US Department of Transportation   ...Jim Hoffa, Teamsters General President, has been appointed to the DOT’s Freight Transportation Committee, along with Rick Inclima of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division. The committee will explore ways to improve the freight transportation system...
Sunsweet union employees demonstrate outside Yuba City plant  Appeal-Democrat   ...Employees represented by Teamsters Union Local 601 at the Yuba City Sunsweet Growers plant whooped, hollered and carried signs in a demonstration Thursday outside the plant...