The Political Bridge

The National AFL-CIO Applauds the House Passage of a Landmark Health Care Reform Bill

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka says this bill is a big victory for working families:

"...It is time to say “yes” to a more secure future for Americans—and that is how the majority in the House of Representatives answered. It is time to say “yes” to lowering health costs, breaking the stranglehold of the insurance companies and extending health care to those in our rich country who are sick and need it. "

To read more about the AFL-CIO's reaction to this Bill click President Richard Trumaka

A Must Read New Book from Barbara Ehrenreich: "Bright-sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America"

(Barbara Ehrenreich is one of America's foremost writers on economic justice and social justice, DrTed)

From Campus Progress

Inklings of Barbara Ehrenreich’s latest book, Bright-sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America, are seen in Bait and Switch, a 2005 text where the author went undercover and discovered various corporate gurus dedicated to teaching a philosophy of über optimism to employees. In her most recent book, she expands upon the theme, extending her analysis to the financial meltdown and beyond.

 

The U.S. Does Not Stack Up Very Well for Those In Labor

By Ellen Bravo

A Canadian colleague told me she just got back from maternity leave.

I know that Canadian law allows for nearly a year of leave at 55 percent pay. “How long did you take?” I asked.

“Oh, the whole year,” she replied

The Family and Medical Leave Act in the U.S. provides for considerably less leave time, 12 weeks, and that time is unpaid…

Of the 20 most competitive nations in the world, the U.S. is the ONLY ONE which does not guarantee any paid sick days.  

KENTUCKY LABORERS’ DISTRICT COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY ENDORSES MONGIARDO IN U.S. SENATE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY

NEWS RELEASE

October 28, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kim Geveden
(502) 682-2010
[email protected]

Annette Lee
(502) 498-4008 x230
[email protected]

FRANKFORT --- The Daniel Mongiardo for U.S. Senate Campaign today announced that the Kentucky Laborers’ District Council has unanimously endorsed Mongiardo for the U.S. Senate in the Democratic Primary.

  In their endorsement letter to Mongiardo, Council President Larry Tabor wrote, “I would first like to start by thanking you for your many years of public service to the hard working men and women of Kentucky.”  He added, “We greatly appreciate the time and effort you have dedicated to our issues and for that very reason, we are proud to inform you that the Kentucky Laborers’ District Council has unanimously voted to endorse your campaign for U.S. Senate for the Commonwealth of Kentucky.”

“It is truly an honor to have the support of all the members of the Kentucky Laborers’ District Council,” said Mongiardo.  “I want to go to Washington to fight for these hard working Kentuckians across the Commonwealth and I know with their support we can get the job done,” he added.

The Kentucky Laborers’ District Council represents approximately 3,500 members of the Laborers’ International Union of North America.  Their endorsement adds to an impressive group of labor endorsements throughout the state.  Mongiardo was previously endorsed by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the Tri-State Area Building and Construction Trades Council located in eastern Kentucky and the Owensboro Area Building and Construction Trades Council in western Kentucky, and received statewide endorsements from the UA - Pipe Trades Association and the Operating Engineers. The Kentucky Machinists and Western Kentucky Labor Council have also recommended Mongiardo to the State AFL-CIO for endorsement.

 

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The Next Causality of the Wall Street Meltdown: Your Pension Plans

From Labor Notes

Nobody wants to admit it, but the next casualty of the Wall Street meltdown will probably be your golden years.  

Nearly $4 trillion worth of retirement savings were wiped out in the first weeks of the 2008 financial freefall. Half of the drop was concentrated in traditional pension plans, also known as defined-benefit plans. While most workers in these plans haven’t had their monthly benefits cut, unlike the 46 million people riding the stock market with 401(k) defined-contribution plans, the storm clouds are gathering.