Sloooooowwwing

Economy grew in Q2 at slowest rate in a year. But, of course, we could feel that already. Today the Commerce Department revised GDP figures for 2009, noting the economy shrank 2.6% worse than the original 2.4% estimate. Thats the worst year since 1946.

From AFSCME

Inexpensive, probably, effective, maybe.

Peace declared

The war between the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and its one time close ally UNITE HERE has been settled. Randy Shaw explains all here. While the terms of the settlement are heavily in favor of UNITE HERE ( SEIU returns $75 Million dollars and an $85 Million Dollar office building) the accord is a big win for new SEIU President Mary K. Henry, and overall a boost to labor.

Tenth week

As the Mott's strike enters its 10th week, the company has started advertising for replacement workers. To the company they are temporary workers with no benefits. To the strikers and the RWDSU they are scabs.

Engaging women

The Berger-Marks Foundation seeks to encourage and assist women labor organizers. It has released a new study, Stepping Up, Stepping Back which is based upon discussions held at a March 2010 conference in New Orleans. Its headline conclusion: Without changes labor will lose its female activists to other causes. Ending the old boys club, meaningful opportunities for younger activists, ending sexual harassment within unions, empowerment of younger activists all are seen as areas for needed change.

More UNITE-HERE activity

Its not just San Francisco, UNITE-HERE took it to the streets yesterday in 15 cities.

Six figure housekeepers

UNITE-HERE continues its ongoing struggle with San Francisco area hotels. Local 2's dropping membership (14,000-9,000) should be of real concern to the union. This article has background and presents one eye-popping fact that wages and benefits for the average hotel housekeeper tops $60,000 a year. Total compensation (thats plus tips) easily can top $100,000 annually.

NLRB Inspector General clears Becker

Responding to a request from Congressman Darrell Issa (R. CA), David Berry, the Inspector General for the NLRB has determined Craig Becker's decision not to recuse himself in St. Barnabas Hospital was in compliance with various ethical guidelines.

"Jersey Shore" strike fake

Say it ain't so Snooki, Situation, say it ain't so.

What does the general public think about unions?

Is the current decline in public support for unions tied to the economy, or is there a more sophisticated reason, including the coordinated effort to blame unions for all that is wrong in this country?

Decade hole

The Center for Economic Policy and Research released a depressing study on job loss which suggests the jobs deficit wont be erased until 2021.

Jersey Shore strike

Now that our baseball league has concluded, its time to get back to serious, regular blogging. Today we start with conduct which may constitute a labor dispute. It seems cast members of "Jersey Shore" have instituted a "strike" for new contracts. Apparently they can make more money from personal appearances than they can filming the show. Better be careful here and make sure that conduct is collective and protected.

Employee data theft

Based on claims asserted, employee data theft is on the rise. This article provides an overview of the problem and some recommendations for preventative steps, includong claims under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.

Avondale to close in 2013

Northrop-Grumman announced Tuesday its intent to close New Orleans area Avondale shipyards and consolidate the 5000 jobs at its larger shipyard at Pascagoula, Mississippi. Avondale lost a union election in the early 1990's, ultimately the union was certified and the shipyard was acquired by Northrop-Grumman. At the time I remember thinking how this ultimately made Avondale much more vulnerable to closure. Now, by sometime in 2013 Avondale is scheduled to be gone. Non-union status was a valuable protector for this shipyard, but now its just an expendable unionized facility.

Social Media as union tool

Here is a good post on how unions use social media as an economic weapon (with images). Again it relates to the Motts' strike.

Right to work

The Dallas Morning News has an interesting piece about the genesis of right to work.

Motts' on the offense

Motts' applesauce, et. al, whose employees have been on strike for a month, filed a trademark, triple damages suit against the UFCW for encouraging consumers to download stickers to put on Motts' products at the grocery. Yikes! This could get interesting.

Mott's strike continues

Strikers at Mott's get them some universal support. One hand claps.

IAM says Boeing picks fights

Machinists claim Boeing wants not labor peace.

Union values, American values

The AFL-CIO Blog attempts to make the July 4th point that union values are American values. The media is blamed for labor's "bad" image.

Union activists claim rotten apples

There's something rotten at Motts' claim union activists. And the RWDSU has video. Company response: "There's just a few bad apples pushing the union's claim." Well, If I owned the company (and I don't) thats what I'd say.

Strikes make traffic flow better

Not the intended consequence, but strikes stall construction projects and drivers get a holiday.

NLRB reacts to New Process Steel

The NLRB has issued a press release about what it expects to do with the cases affected by the New Process Steel decision.