For unionists, pay freeze reminiscent of Reagan’s attack on federal workers The Obama Administration, looking to bolster its deficit-cutting credentials and show its desire to take on what some label a “special interest”—organized labor—yesterday announced a two-year freeze on the wages of all federal workers. Tim Fernholz of The American Prospect points out that the pay …
Amid the anger among progressives over White House spokesman Robert Gibbs’ attack on the”professional left,” a leading cause of the wide-ranging disenchantment with President Obama that threatens Democrats in November remains untouched: long-term joblessness. The new, scaled-down legislation signed by Obama yesterday to save teachers’ jobs and help states pay for Medicaid won’t help the nearly 30 million …
As Netroots Rage at Gibbs, Long-Term Jobless Left Behind Read More »
Now that Andy Stern has announced his impending retirement as head of the SEIU, the fight to replace him has moved out into the open. The heir apparent is Anna Burger, SEIU secretary treasurer, and currently Stern’s second in command. Stern has groomed her to replace him. Like Stern, Burger has strong ties to the …
On July 24 the federal minimum wage was raised to $7.25 an hour. But that won’t help Chicago cab drivers, who make an average of $4 an hour working 24 to 25 days a month for 12 to 13 hours a day, according to a study released this spring by the University of Illinois’ School …
A Taxing Profession: Cabbies Face Low Pay, Long Hours, High Risk Read More »
What if lawmakers had the guts to create comprehensive labor legislation for immigrants, enshrining their rights in accordance with international law? What if our legal system recognized immigrants’ freedom of movement, shielded families from unnecessary separation, and allowed real recourse against exploitative employers? We should know better, of course, than to expect anything approaching that …
Freedom of Movement: Migrant Rights in the Global Economy Read More »
To teachers across the country, the carrot that Washington is dangling before schools could soon start to feel like a stick. As the Obama administration funnels stimulus money into public schools, states will compete for a $4.3 billion fund known as Race to the Top. But the strings attached to the money reflect a vision …
Will Teacher be Left Behind by the Stimulus Gold Rush? Read More »
Workers from the former Republic Windows and Doors factory hope weatherization incentives will help them get their jobs back. The phrase “green jobs” has been thrown out right and left recently, with everything from urban farming to building wind turbines and solar panels to producing plain old insulation described as a “green job.” When the …
'Green Jobs' Aren't Growing Quickly at Republic Factory in Chicago Read More »
Madeline Messa is a 3L at Syracuse University College of Law. She graduated from Penn State with a degree in journalism. With her legal research and writing for Workplace Fairness, she strives to equip people with the information they need to be their own best advocate.
