POLITICAL HOT ISSUES

November 10, 2008


AFL-CIO: Unionists Were ‘Firewall’ for Obama in Key Swing States WASHINGTON (PAI)—Overwhelming support from unionists and their families became the “firewall” of votes that provided victory for Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama in key swing states such as Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Minnesota, top AFL-CIO officials and their polling analyst said.
Employee Free Choice Act: Labor’s Top Priority, But Roadblocks Remain WASHINGTON (PAI)— Passage of the Employee Free Choice Act, to help level the playing field between workers and bosses in union organizing and in bargaining or first contracts, will be labor’s top priority in the new 111th Congress, top AFL-CIO officials said. But roadblocks remain for the legislation.
Labor’s Legislative Agenda Starting to Emerge WASHINGTON (PAI)— By bits and pieces, in congratulatory statements to President-elect Barack Obama and in press conferences, labor’s legislative agenda for the new Democratic-run government that starts next year is emerging.
Unemployment Rises to 6.5%; Jobless Number Tops 10 Million WASHINGTON (PAI)— The nation’s unemployment rate rose 0.4% in October, to 6.5%, its highest figure in 14 years, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Another 603,000 people joined the ranks of the jobless, bringing that total to 10.08 million.
Researcher: Wal-Mart Perfected the Art of Union-Busting MINNEAPOLIS (PAI)— Want to understand why so many workers find it so hard to organize unions in their workplaces? Look no further than Wal-Mart, a researcher for Human Rights Watch says.
UFCW, Smithfield Agree to Tar Heel Vote, but no Date Set TAR HEEL, N.C. (PAI)—The United Food and Commercial Workers and the Smithfield meatpacking company agreed Oct. 27 to hold a third National Labor Relations Board-run union recognition vote at the firm’s Tar Heel, N.C., pork processing plant, but no date was set for the balloting. The plant employs 4,650 workers.