McMillion & Hirtensteiner, LLP - Labor News
McMillion & Hirtensteiner, LLP's Labor News charts the latest developments in labor and legal issues with regular updates published as they are released to the media.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Bold Package Urged to Stave Off Rise in Unemployment
Bold Package Urged to Stave Off Rise in Unemployment LONDON, November 22/PRNewswire/ -- An immediate package of measures - centred on a comprehensive programme to boost bank lending, a one-off tax credit targeted at the poor, higher benefit payments to stimulate demand, a public works programme, and an incentive scheme for employers to put workers on shorter hours rather than make them redundant - is needed to stave off a prolonged recession and high unemployment, The Work Foundation says today. Predicting a peak of 2.5 million unemployed and a worse recession than both the 1980s and 1990s, a new report urges the government to use every means at its disposal - monetary, fiscal, financial and through assorted labour market interventions - to boost the economy and protect employment. It urges: - Fiscal stimulus: a boost equivalent to 1 per cent of GDP (GBP15 billion), including a a one-off tax credit to the poorest households who are most likely to spend any additional income. - Private sector credit flows: to stimulate lending, the terms of the Bank of England's special liquidity scheme should be relaxed; the 12 per cent interest rate on the coupon it is charging when it invests in banks via preference shares should be lowered; and action is needed to reduce the insurance premium being paid to guarantee the GBP250 billion of unsecured debt in interbank lending, together with extending the small business loan guarantee scheme. - Public works programme: the government should bring forward as many construction projects as possible. There should be particular attention paid to smaller, more labour intensive projects such as social housing, hospitals, schools and transport (about 50 per cent of all construction orders consist of projects involving less than GBP2 million spending).Where Private Finance Initiative schemes are being held up by lack of credit, public money should be made available. - An increase in out-of-work benefits: a time-limited scheme to increase unemployment benefits (which are low by international standards) to around 60 per cent of previous net earnings. - Support for the unemployed: expand the capacity of job search and support services (such as JobCentre Plus), tailored to the needs of local areas where possible. Quality must be maintained despite the numbers of unemployed people, though the government's welfare-to-work ambitions main need to be revisited. UK investment in 'active labour market programmes' is low by international standards. - Short-time working: incentives should be offered through a publicly funded short-time working scheme to encourage employers to retain human capital rather than dismiss workers. The scheme would be suspended once recovery is under way. - Regional aid: Devolve necessary funds and powers to encourage local authorities and Regional Development Agencies to invest in worklessness and skills schemes (or labour market policies) that respond to the particular challenges of the area; and to set up short-term schemes to help struggling firms - for example, Advantage West Midlands' 'Transitional Loan Fund'. - Bonus taxation: the government should introduce a financial services bonus tax taper with a higher marginal rate of 75 per cent for annual bonuses. This would discourage excessive risk-taking and reduce the impact of perverse incentives. David Coats, associate director - policy at The Work Foundation, said: 'It is vital that the government is bold and decisive. Without intelligent intervention by the state, the banking crisis could damage the real economy just as severely as the Great Crash of 1929. 'The principles that should determine the government's response to the crisis are that interventions should be timely, targeted and temporary. Some of our proposals are contentious and go against the grain of recent political thinking - higher unemployment benefits, for example. But our aim is to put money where it is most needed, where it will most readily be spent, and to help maintain employment. Public indebtedness in the UK is low by international standards and as long as the reflationary package is strictly time-limited and wound up on recovery, we can afford it. Ultimately, it falls to the state to get us through the downturn and ready for the upturn.' Dismissing claims of a 'middle class recession', the report says job losses are likely to fall disproportionately on full time, male workers, amongst the young, and among those in less secure employment (this mirrors the experience during the 1990-92 recession). So far employment has fallen in distribution, manufacturing and construction and increased slightly in business and financial services. The impact of the current recession is likely to be felt across all sectors. With regional differences less marked than in previous eras, it is also likely to be less 'geographically specific'. Ian Brinkley, associate director, said: 'Full employment is the most important economic policy objective - certainly more important at the moment than the battle against inflation. Joblessness can scar people and communities for a long time. It is the job of the government now to throw everything at its disposal at making sure we do not have a jobs crisis.' Notes to Editors 1) 'Hard Labour: Jobs, Unemployment and the Recession' by Ian Brinkley, David Coats, Naomi Clayton, Will Hutton and Stephen Overell is available from The Work Foundation. 2) David Coats and Ian Brinkley are available for interview. 3) The Work Foundation is an independent research and consultancy organisation. Source: The Work Foundation Media enquiries to Stephen Overell on +44(0)207-976-3507 or +44(0)7970-765251 ------- Profile: labor-news
posted by McMillion & Hirtensteiner LLP Labor News # 4:03 PM
Coalition for a Democratic Workplace Calls on Congress to Oppose Anti-Worker Employee Free Choice Act
Coalition for a Democratic Workplace Calls on Congress to Oppose Anti-Worker Employee Free Choice Act Broad-based Group Releases Letter to Congress WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The 500-member Coalition for a Democratic Workplace (CDW) today released a letter it delivered to Capitol Hill late yesterday. In the letter, CDW urged members of the Senate and House "to oppose all efforts to pass any provision included in the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA H.R. 800/S. 1041 in the 110th Congress)." "We wanted to take the opportunity to remind members of Congress of the overwhelming opposition from the business community, their constituents and union households to this anti-worker legislation," said Brian Worth with the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace. "This bill is a job-killer and fundamentally undemocratic." The letter also stated: "This legislation poses not only an assault on an individual's right to privacy, but a direct threat to economic growth and job creation. Particularly at a time of economic uncertainty, Congress should not enact measures that threaten our economic competitiveness, including the Employee Free Choice Act. Furthermore, this legislation would have a particularly devastating impact on small employers who are the primary source for new jobs in our economy." President-elect Obama's Administration and the new Congress will face its first true test early next year in the form of the anti-worker Employee Free Choice Act -- that allows unionization without secret ballots for workers. This Act, more aptly titled the Employee "Forced" Choice Act, is nothing short of a full-frontal assault on American democracy and worker privacy. Backed by union special interests and their Congressional allies, the anti-worker bill would effectively strip employees of the right to vote in private when deciding whether or not to join a union. "It's ironic that members of Congress, all of whom were just elected by secret ballot, would even consider legislation that would remove that right for millions of American workers," added Worth. CDW survey data indicates that support for maintaining private ballots in union organizing cuts across party lines. By a significant majority, Democrats, Republicans and Independents support maintaining a worker's right to cast their vote in private. Even among union households, a significant majority (69%) oppose the Employee Free Choice Act. And 76% of union voters say having a federally supervised secret ballot election is the best way to protect workers' rights when organizing a union. Earlier this week, CDW launched print advertisements publicly congratulating President-elect Obama on his historic election. The ads called on the president-elect to not deny secret ballot elections to America's workers. Over the next few months, CDW plans to implement an aggressive grassroots and media campaign to defeat the EFCA. A copy of CDW's letter to Congress is attached. About the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace The Coalition for a Democratic Workplace is made up of more than 500 associations and organizations from every state across the nation that have joined together to protect a worker's right to a private ballot when deciding whether to join a union. In 2008, CDW embarked on a multi-million dollar public education campaign in key states that included polling, television, radio and internet ads and direct mail. For more information and a listing of our membership, please visit www.MyPrivateBallot.com.
November 20, 2008 To All Members of the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives Congratulations on being elected to the 111th Congress. Our country faces an array of serious challenges, and we commend your desire and service in helping to craft appropriate solutions. As you look ahead to the legislation that will require your attention, we strongly encourage you to oppose all efforts to pass any provision included in the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA H.R. 800/S. 1041 in the 110th Congress).
The Coalition for a Democratic Workplace, a group of more than 500 organizations, is united in opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act because we believe this bill severely undermines long standing principles of balance and fairness in federal labor law. Make no mistake; the purpose of EFCA is not labor law reform. The legislation is a dramatic assault on the rights of employees and employers that threatens to severely undermine any chance at a constructive dialogue on labor law reform. The key provisions in this legislation represent egregious attempts to limit the rights of employees and employers and will severely diminish the ability of U.S. business to succeed in our globally competitive market. They include: -- The effective elimination of secret ballot voting replaced by a mandate that a union be recognized by a simple majority of signed authorization cards, exposing employees to intimidation and coercion. Employees who are not offered a card to sign would be forced into a union with no vote and no voice. -- A two year binding contract wherein economic terms such as wages and benefits are unilaterally determined by a federal arbitrator for first contracts without a ratification vote by employees. Neither of the above provisions, alone, or in combination, will bring about positive change for American workers or employers. This legislation poses not only an assault on an individual's right to privacy, but a direct threat to economic growth and job creation. Particularly at a time of economic uncertainty, Congress should not enact measures that threaten our economic competitiveness, including the Employee Free Choice Act. Furthermore, this legislation would have a particularly devastating impact on small employers who are the primary source for new jobs in our economy. The signatories of this letter represent hundreds of thousands of employers united in our strong opposition to this legislation and opposed to Congressional passage of this legislation or its individual provisions. We regard this bill as the most direct threat to our ability to continue to operate competitively and create jobs. We therefore urge you to avoid co-sponsoring or supporting this bill. For more information, analyses, and polling data showing how more than 70 percent of union households oppose the Employee Free Choice Act, please visit our coalition's website at www.myprivateballot.com. Sincerely, THE COALITION FOR A DEMOCRATIC WORKPLACE: 60 Plus Association Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield (MA) Alabama Chapter of ABC Alabama Restaurant Association Alaska Cabaret, Hotel, Restaurant & Retailers Association Alaska Chapter of ABC Alaska Hotel & Lodging Association Alliance for Worker Freedom Aluminum Association American Apparel & Footwear Association American Association of Homes & Services for the Aging American Bakers Association American Beverage Association American Conservative Union American Fire Sprinkler Association American Foundry Society American Frozen Food Institute American Health Care Association American Hospital Association American Hotel & Lodging Association American International Automobile Dealers Association American Meat Institute American Seniors Housing Association American Shareholders Association American Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration American Society of Employers American Staffing Association American Supply Association American Trucking Associations American Wholesale Marketers Association Americans for a Limited Government Americans for Prosperity Americans for Tax Reform AMT-The Association for Manufacturing Technology Antelope Valley (CA) Chamber of Commerce API Arcadia (CA) Chamber of Commerce Arizona Builders Alliance of ABC Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry Arizona Hotel & Lodging Association Arizona IEC Arizona Restaurant & Hospitality Association Arkansas Chapter of ABC Arkansas Hotel & Lodging Association Arkansas IEC Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce Asheboro/Randolph (NC) Chamber of Commerce Ashland & Tri State Area Chapter IEC Asian American Hotel Owners Association Assisted Living Federation of America Associated Builders & Contractors Associated Builders & Contractors Heart of America Chapter Associated Builders & Contractors of Alabama Associated General Contractors Associated Industries of Massachusetts Association of Equipment Manufacturers Association of Millwork Distributors Association of Washington Business Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers Atlanta Hotel Council Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association Baltimore Metro Chapter of ABC Bearing Specialists Association Burnsville (MN) Chamber of Commerce Business & Industry Association of New Hampshire California Chamber of Commerce California Hotel & Lodging Association California Manufacturers & Technology Association California Restaurant Association Camarillo (CA) Chamber of Commerce Capital Associated Industries Inc Carolinas Chapter of ABC Center for Freedom & Prosperity Center for Individual Freedom Center for the Defense of Free Enterprise CenTex Chapter IEC Central Alabama Chapter IEC Central California Chapter of ABC Central Florida Chapter of ABC Central Indiana IEC Central Michigan Chapter of ABC Central Missouri IEC Central Ohio AEC/EIC Central Ohio Chapter of ABC Central Pennsylvania Chapter of ABC Central Pennsylvania Chapter of IEC Central Texas Chapter of ABC Central Washington IEC Centre County (PA) IEC Chamber of Commerce of Southwest Indiana Chamber of Commerce of St. Joseph County (IN) Chamber of Medford/Jackson County (OR) Charleston (SC) Metro Chamber of Commerce Chattanooga Area (TN) Chamber of Commerce Chesapeake Chapter of ABC Chesapeake IEC Chicagoland (IL) Chamber of Commerce Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber Citizen Outreach Project Cleveland-Bradley (TN) Chamber of Commerce College & University Professional Association for Human Resources Colorado Association of Commerce & Industry Colorado Hospital Association Colorado Hotel & Lodging Association Colorado Restaurant Association Commerce & Industry Association of New Jersey Connecticut Business & Industry Association Connecticut Chapter of ABC Connecticut Restaurant Association Consumer Electronics Association Copper & Brass Servicenter Cornhusker Chapter of ABC Costa Mesa (CA) Chamber of Commerce Council for Citizens Against Government Waste Cumberland Valley Chapter of ABC Dakotas Inc IEC/Dallas Chapter IEC Daytona Beach/Halifax (FL) Chamber of Commerce Delaware Chapter of ABC Delaware Restaurant Association Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce Detroit (MI) Regional Chamber of Commerce Duluth (MN) Area Chamber of Commerce East Tennessee Chapter of ABC East Tennessee IEC East Texas IEC Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter of ABC Eastern Sandoval County (NM) Chamber of Commerce Eastern Shore Chapter of ABC Eastern Washington Chapter IEC El Paso Chapter IEC Empire State Chapter of ABC Environmental Industry Associations Fairfax County (VA) Chamber of Commerce Federation of American Hospitals FEWA-Marketing & Distribution Association Flagstaff (AZ) Chamber of Commerce Florida Chamber of Commerce Florida East Coast Chapter of ABC Florida First Coast Chapter of ABC Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of ABC Florida Independent Concrete & Associated Products, Inc. Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association Florida West Coast Chapter IEC Food Marketing Institute Forging Industry Association Fort Worth/Tarrant County IEC Freedom Works Georgia Chamber of Commerce Georgia Chapter of ABC Georgia Hotel & Lodging Association Georgia IEC Georgia Restaurant Association Glendale (AZ) Chamber of Commerce Golden Gate Chapter of ABC Goleta Valley (CA) Chamber of Commerce Grand Junction Area (CO) Chamber of Commerce Graphic Arts Association Greater Albuquerque (NM) Chamber of Commerce Greater Bakersfield (CA) Chamber of Commerce Greater Cincinnati IEC Greater Columbia (SC) Chamber of Commerce Greater Columbus (GA) Chamber of Commerce Greater Decatur (IL) Chamber of Commerce Greater Delray Beach (FL) Chamber of Commerce Greater Elkhart (IN) Chamber of Commerce Greater Findlay (OH) Chamber Inc. Greater Hamilton (OH) Chamber of Commerce Greater Houston Chapter of ABC Greater Louisville (KY) Inc. Greater Medina (OH) Chamber of Commerce Greater Pittsburgh (PA) Chamber of Commerce Greater Pittsburgh (PA) Hotel Association Greater Raleigh (NC) Chamber of Commerce Greater Reading (PA) Chamber of Commerce & Industry Greater Spokane Incorporated Greater St. Louis IEC Greater Syracuse (NY) Chamber of Commerce Green Bay Area (WI) Chamber of Commerce Guam Contractors Association of ABC Hampton Area (NH) Chamber of Commerce Hampton Roads Chapter IEC Hardin County (OH) Chamber of Commerce Hartford (CT) Chamber of Commerce Hawaii Chapter of ABC Hawaii Hotel & Lodging Association Hawaii Restaurant Association Heart of America Chapter of ABC Heating, Airconditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International Henderson (NV) Chamber of Commerce Hilliard (OH) Chamber of Commerce Hispanic Alliance for Progress Institute Hobbs (NM) Chamber of Commerce Hospitality Association of South Carolina Hotel Association of New York City Hotel Association of Washington DC Houma-Terrebonne (LA) Chamber of Commerce HR Policy Association Idaho IEC Idaho Lodging & Restaurant Association Illinois Chamber of Commerce Illinois Chapter of ABC Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association Illinois IEC Illinois Restaurant Association Independent Electrical Contractors Inc Independent Women's Voice Indian River County (FL) Chamber of Commerce Indiana Chamber of Commerce Indiana Chapter of ABC Industrial Fasteners Institute Industrial Supply Association Inland Pacific Chapter of ABC Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute International Council of Shopping Centers International Foodservice Distributors Association International Franchise Association International Truck Parts Association International Warehouse Logistics Association Iowa Association of Business & Industry Iowa Chapter of ABC Iowa Restaurant Association Iowans for Right to Work Kansas City IEC Kansas Restaurant & Hospitality Association Kentuckiana Chapter of ABC Kentucky & Southern Indiana Chapter IEC Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Kentucky Electrical Contractors Association Kentucky Restaurant Association Keystone Chapter of ABC Lake Havasu Area (AZ) Chamber of Commerce Larue County (KY) Chamber of Commerce Las Vegas (NV) Chamber of Commerce Las Vegas Chapter of ABC Licking County (OH) Chamber of Commerce Little Rock (AR) Chamber of Commerce Long Beach (CA) Chamber of Commerce Los Angeles-Ventura Chapter of ABC Louisiana Association of Business & Industry Louisiana Restaurant Association Louisiana Retailers Association Lower Bucks County (PA) Chamber of Commerce Lubbock Chapter IEC Maine Chapter of ABC Maine Innkeepers Association Maine Restaurant Association Management Association of Illinois (The) Manufacturers' Association of NW Pennsylvania Marion Area (IL) Chamber of Commerce Maryland Hotel, Motel & Resort Association Massachusetts Chapter of ABC Massachusetts Restaurant Association Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association MEC-IEC of Dayton, OH Metals Service Center Institute Metro Washington Chapter of ABC Metro West (MA) Chamber of Commerce Michigan Chamber of Commerce Michigan Manufacturers Association Michigan Restaurant Association Mid Gulf Coast Chapter of ABC Mid Tennessee Chapter of ABC Mid-America Lumbermens Association Mid-Oregon Chapter IEC Mid-South Chapter IEC Midwest IEC Minnesota Chapter of ABC Minnesota Lodging Association Minnesota Restaurant Association Mississippi Chapter of ABC Mississippi Economic Development Council Mississippi Hospitality & Restaurant Association Mississippi Manufacturers Association Missouri Restaurant Association Modular Building Institute Monroe (LA) Chamber of Commerce Montana Chamber of Commerce Montana IEC Montana Innkeepers Association Montana Restaurant Association Montgomery Area (AL) Chamber of Commerce Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association Mountain States Employers Council, Inc. Nashville IEC Natchitoches Area (LA) Chamber of Commerce National Alliance for Worker & Employer Rights National Armored Car Association National Association of Chemical Distributors National Association of Manufacturers National Association of Sign Supply Distributors National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors National Automobile Dealers Association National Center for Assisted Living National Council of Chain Restaurants National Federation of Independent Business National Franchisee Association National Grocers Association National Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association National Mining Association National Petrochemical & Refiners Association National Private Duty Association National Ready Mix Concrete Association National Restaurant Association National Retail Federation National Roofing Contractors Association National School Transportation Association National Small Business United National Solid Wastes Management Association National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association National Tank Truck Carriers, Inc. National Taxpayers Union National Tooling & Machining Association Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry Nebraska Hotel & Motel Association Nebraska Restaurant Association Nevada Hotel & Lodging Association Nevada Manufactures Association Nevada Restaurant Association New England IEC New Hampshire Lodging & Restaurant Association New Hampshire/Vermont Chapter of ABC New Jersey Business & Industry Association New Jersey Chapter of ABC New Jersey Hotel & Lodging Association New Jersey IEC New Jersey Restaurant Association New Mexico Chapter of ABC New Mexico Lodging Association New Mexico Restaurant Association New Orleans/Bayou Chapter of ABC New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association New York State Restaurant Association North Alabama Chapter of ABC North Carolina Chamber of Commerce North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association North Dakota Chamber of Commerce North Dakota Hospitality Association North Florida Chapter of ABC North Las Vegas (NV) Chamber of Commerce North Palm Beach County (FL) Chamber of Commerce North Texas Chapter of ABC Northern Allegheny County (PA) Chamber of Commerce Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Northern Michigan Chapter of ABC Northern New Mexico IEC Northern Ohio Chapter of ABC Northern Ohio Electrical Contractors Association Northwest Pennsylvania IEC Northwest Washington IEC Office Products Wholesalers Association Offshore Marine Service Association Ohio Chamber of Commerce Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association Ohio Restaurant Association Ohio Valley Chapter of ABC OKC Inc IEC Oklahoma Chapter of ABC Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association Oklahoma Restaurant Association Oklahoma State Chamber Optical Laboratories Association Oregon IEC Oregon Lodging Association Oregon Restaurant Association Owatonna Area (MN) Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Oxnard (CA) Chamber of Commerce Pacific Northwest Chapter of ABC Pacific Printing & Imaging Association Pelican Chapter of ABC Pennsylvania Chamber of Business & Industry Pennsylvania Restaurant Association Pennsylvania Tourism & Lodging Association Petroleum Equipment Institute Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association Portland Cement Association Precision Metalforming Association Printing & Graphics Association Mid Atlantic Printing & Imaging Association Mountain States Printing & Imaging Association of Georgia, Inc. Printing & Imaging Association of Mid America Printing & Imaging Association of New York State Printing Association of Florida, Inc. Printing Industries Association Inc. Serving Northern Kentucky & Ohio Printing Industries Association of San Diego (CA) Printing Industries Association of the South, Inic. Printing Industries Association, Inc. of Arizona Printing Industries Association, Inc. of Southern California Printing Industries of America Printing Industries of Michigan, Inc. Printing Industries of New England Printing Industries of Northern California Printing Industries of St. Louis (MO) Printing Industries of the Gulf Coast Printing Industries of the Midlands, Inc. Printing Industries of Utah Printing Industries of Virginia Printing Industries of Wisconsin Printing Industry of Illinois/Indiana Association Printing Industry of Minnesota, Inc. Printing Industry of the Carolinas, Inc. Property Rights Alliance Public Service Research Council Puget Sound Washington Chapter IEC Redwood Empire Chapter IEC Regional Legislative Alliance of Santa Barbara County (CA) Restaurant & Hospitality Association of Indiana Restaurant Association of Maryland Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington Rhode Island Chapter of ABC Rhode Island Hospitality & Tourism Association Rio Grande Valley Chapter of IEC Inc Rocky Mountain Chapter of ABC Rocky Mountain IEC Rogers-Lowell (AR) Chamber of Commerce Ruston-Lincoln (LA) Chamber of Commerce Sacramento (CA) Metro Chamber of Commerce Saginaw Valley Chapter of ABC San Antonio Chapter IEC San Diego Chapter of ABC San Diego North (CA) Chamber of Commerce San Diego North Chamber of Commerce Sebago Lake Region (ME) Chamber of Commerce Sierra Nevada Chapter of ABC Society of Human Resource Management Society of the Plastics Industry (The) South Carolina Chamber of Commerce South Carolina Trucking Association South Dakota Retailers Association South Florida Chapter Inc IEC South Texas Chapter of ABC Southeast Missouri IEC Southeast Pennsylvania Chapter of ABC Southeast Texas Chapter of ABC Southeastern Michigan Chapter of ABC Southern Arizona IEC Southern California Chapter of ABC Southern California IEC Southern Colorado Chapter IEC Southern Indiana Chapter-Evansville IEC Southern New Mexico IEC St. Mary's County (MD) Chamber of Commerce Staten Island (NY) Chamber of Commerce Steel Manufacturers Association Stuart-Martin County (FL) Chamber of Commerce Taxpayers League of Minnesota Tennessee Hospital Association Tennessee Hotel & Lodging Association Tennessee Restaurant Association Texas Coastal Bend Chapter of ABC Texas Gulf Coast Chapter IEC Texas Gulf Coast Chapter of ABC Texas Hotel & Lodging Association Texas Mid-Coast Chapter of ABC Texas Panhandle IEC Texas Restaurant Association Texas State IEC Texas Warehouse Association Texoma IEC Textile Care Allied Trades Association Textile Rental Services Association of America The Real Estate Roundtable Tooling & Manufacturing Association Treasure State IEC Tri-State IEC Truckload Carriers Association Tucson (AZ) Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce U.S. Chamber of Commerce U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce U.S. Human Recourses and Ethics Services United Chambers of Commerce-SFV & Region United Motorcoach Association Utah Chapter of ABC Utah Hotel & Lodging Association Utah IEC Utah Restaurant Association Ventura Chapter IEC Vermont Hospitality Council Virginia Chamber of Commerce Virginia Chapter of ABC Virginia Hospitality & Travel Association Visalia (CA) Chamber of Commerce Washington IEC Washington Restaurant Association Washington State Hotel & Lodging Association WECA IEC West Chamber Serving Jefferson County (CO) West Suburban (IL) Chamber of Commerce & Industry West Tennessee Chapter of ABC West Texas IEC West Virginia Chamber of Commerce West Virginia Chapter of ABC West Virginia Hospitality & Travel Association Western Carolina Industries Western Colorado Chapter of ABC Western Colorado IEC Western Michigan Chapter of ABC Western Pennsylvania Chapter of ABC Western Reserve Chapter IEC Western Washington Chapter of ABC Wholesale Florist & Florist Supplier Association Wichita Chapter IEC Wisconsin Chapter of ABC Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce Association Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association Wisconsin Restaurant Association Wyoming Lodging & Restaurant Association Source: Coalition for a Democratic Workplace CONTACT: Rhonda Bentz of Coalition for a Democratic Workplace, +1-202-580-7289 Web site: http://www.myprivateballot.com/ ------- Profile: labor-news
posted by McMillion & Hirtensteiner LLP Labor News # 12:57 PM
Statement of BCTD President Mark H. Ayers in Response to President-Elect Obama's Stated Intent to Act Quickly on Climate Change
Statement of BCTD President Mark H. Ayers in Response to President-Elect Obama's Stated Intent to Act Quickly on Climate Change WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a statement by BCTD President Mark H. Ayers: By stating his intent to act quickly on the issue of climate change, President-Elect Obama is already delivering the kind of leadership he promised on one of the world's most pressing issues. The skilled craft workers who comprise America's Building Trades Unions will be essential to not only developing and deploying the clean energy technology of the future, but also to build the expanded energy grid infrastructure that will be necessary to distribute this power. We know that with willing partners in government, we can solve the climate crisis and create the good jobs that will be essential to ensuring a robust economic recovery. Source: Building and Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO
CONTACT: Tom Owens of Building and Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO, +1-202-756-4623, towens@bctd.org Web Site: http://www.bctd.org/ ------- Profile: labor-news
posted by McMillion & Hirtensteiner LLP Labor News # 8:47 AM
Unite Defends the Right to Mesothelioma Compensation
Unite Defends the Right to Mesothelioma Compensation LONDON, November 21/PRNewswire/ -- In a landmark test case in the High Court, Unite the union, has successfully defended the rights of vulnerable asbestos victims from insurers' attempts to avoid their liabilities. The trade union has resisted a legal challenge by insurance companies which, if successful, could have deprived thousands of mesothelioma sufferers and their families of compensation. The High Court today (November 21, 2008) ruled that Employers' Liability insurers remain liable to pay compensation for mesothelioma caused by exposure to asbestos in the work place if they insured the employer at the time the asbestos exposure occurred. The important decision comes after a nine-week court battle in June and July 2008. Unite Joint General Secretary, Derek Simpson said: "This is a hugely important victory for the victims of the deadly dust and for their families. Having to suffer or watch your relatives suffer from a slow and painful death is horrific. "Thousands of men and women across the UK have been negligently exposed to asbestos by their employers but insurers have tried and failed to use legal technicalities to escape their responsibility to pay compensation under the policies they sold to employers. They sought to avoid their liabilities while pocketing the money." "We are prepared to take on the big cases and fight for our members' rights to justice. We are delighted the High Court has protected the right of mesothelioma sufferers to obtain compensation from insurers. This decision illustrates the role and importance of Unite. Without trade unions many of these cases would never have been fought. Unite has been at the forefront of the legal and political campaign to win compensation for the victims of asbestos." In what has become known as the mesothelioma "trigger issue" test case a number of insurers argued the policies they sold, to insure employers against liability for workers who were injured or suffered illness due to work, were "triggered" by the development of the disease rather than by the exposure to asbestos. Often the time lapse between exposure to the deadly dust and the development of mesothelioma can take 40 years or more. If the insurance companies' defence had been successful it could have deprived thousands of asbestos victims and their families of their right to compensation. The successful conclusion to the test case means the family of mesothelioma victim and Unite member Charles Michael O'Farrell will be a step closer to receiving GBP152,000 in compensation from his former employer's insurers Excess Insurance Company Limited. Charles O'Farrell was a retired member of Unite who died in 2003. He was exposed to asbestos while working as a steel erector for Humphreys & Glasgow Limited from 1964 to 1967. The company ceased trading in 1986 and is currently in liquidation. Excess had refused to pay the damages citing the trigger issue defence as their reason. If the High Court had found in favour of the insurer Charles' family would not receive any compensation. It would also mean thousands of mesothelioma victims and their families, now and in the future, would be unable to obtain compensation because by the time the worker developed the disease, if the employer who exposed them to asbestos was defunct, no insurance would exist to pay the claim. Head of Asbestos Policy at Thompsons Solicitors, Ian McFall said: "The court had to grapple with many difficult and complex legal issues in this important test case to decide the true meaning and effect of the insurance policies. The outcome is a great relief for many asbestos victims and their families and a victory for fairness, justice and common sense. Charles' daughter, Maureen Edwards said: "My dad died a painful death from mesothelioma and watching him suffer was agonising for all of us. Excess Insurance poured salt into the wound by forcing us to fight them in court to receive compensation which we had already been awarded but they refused to pay. "My dad would have been proud today that, with the backing of his union, we have finally achieved justice for him. But he would have been disgusted by the lengths the insurers went to get out of paying." Notes to Editors 1) Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lung caused by exposure to asbestos. There is no cure and more than 2,000 people a year are diagnosed with the disease. 2) For decades the Employers' Liability insurance industry had accepted that the insurer on cover at the time of the asbestos exposure was liable to pay in a mesothelioma claim. A number of Employers' Liability insurers began to refuse to pay out in mesothelioma claims after a Court of Appeal case (Bolton MBC v Municipal Mutual Insurance Ltd (2006) EWCA Civ 50) which ruled that, in Public Liability insurance, the insurance policy is triggered by the development of the mesothelioma. The insurers raising the trigger issue defence to avoid paying claims argued that the same interpretation should be applied to Employers' Liability mesothelioma claims. 3) Compensation for the asbestos-related condition pleural plaques was ended last year by the House of Lords as a result of a test case brought by the insurance industry. People with pleural plaques had previously been entitled to compensation since 1984. It is estimated that as a result of ending the right to compensation for pleural plaques the insurance industry has saved approximately GBP1.4 billion. Source: Unite the Union Unite Media Contact Ciaran Naidoo: +44(0)7768-931-315 ------- Profile: labor-news
posted by McMillion & Hirtensteiner LLP Labor News # 3:54 AM
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Pennsylvania's Employment Situation: October 2008
Pennsylvania's Employment Situation: October 2008 HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania's seasonally adjusted civilian labor force -- the number of people working or looking for work -- rose to 6,446,000 in October. Resident employment fell by 2,000 for the month, while unemployment was up 4,000. The labor force was up 157,000 since October 2007, with employment and unemployment up over the year. Pennsylvania's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 5.8 percent in October, up one tenth of a percentage point from September. The United States' rate increased four tenths of a percentage point over the month to 6.5 percent. The state rate has been below the national rate for six consecutive months, and it has been at or below the national rate for 68 out of the past 70 months. Over the year, Pennsylvania's rate was up 1.4 percentage points, while the U.S. rate was up 1.7 percentage points. Pennsylvania's seasonally adjusted non-farm job count fell by 7,300 in October to 5,784,000. Job losses for the month were concentrated in two sectors - manufacturing was down 4,000; and trade, transportation and utilities dropped 10,500. Most other sectors changed little, though three - professional and business services, financial activities, and leisure and hospitality - showed gains of more than 1,000 jobs in October. Since October 2007, Pennsylvania's job count was down 16,000. Since January 2003, the state has added 158,300 jobs. EDITOR'S NOTE: A breakdown of Pennsylvania's employment statistics follows. Current Labor Force Statistics Seasonally Adjusted (in thousands) Change from Change from Oct. Sept. Oct. September 2008 October 2007 2008 2008 2007 volume percent volume percent PA Civilian Labor Force 6,446 6,445 6,289 1 0.0% 157 2.5% Employment 6,075 6,077 6,013 -2 0.0% 62 1.0% Unemployment 372 368 276 4 1.1% 96 34.8% Rate 5.8 5.7 4.4 0.1 ---- 1.4 ----- U.S. Civilian Labor Force 155,038 154,732 153,306 306 0.2% 1,732 1.1%
Employment 144,958 145,255 146,016 -297 -0.2% -1,058 -0.7% Unemployment 10,080 9,477 7,291 603 6.4% 2,789 38.3% Rate 6.5 6.1 4.8 0.4 ---- 1.7 ----- Pennsylvania Nonagricultural Wage and Salary Employment Seasonally Adjusted (in thousands)
Change from Change from Oct. Sept. Oct. September 2008 October 2007 2008 2008 2007 volume percent volume percent Total Nonfarm Jobs 5,784.0 5,791.3 5,800.0 -7.3 -0.1% -16.0 -0.3% Goods Producing Industries 909.0 912.9 937.9 -3.9 -0.4% -28.9 -3.1% Natural Resources & Mining 22.0 21.7 21.4 0.3 1.4% 0.6 2.8% Construction 256.0 256.2 263.1 -0.2 -0.1% -7.1 -2.7% Manufacturing 631.0 635.0 653.4 -4.0 -0.6% -22.4 -3.4% Service Providing Industries 4,875.0 4,878.4 4,862.1 -3.4 -0.1% 12.9 0.3% Trade, Transportation & Utilities 1,115.7 1,126.2 1,131.0 -10.5 -0.9% -15.3 -1.4% Information 105.2 105.8 107.7 -0.6 -0.6% -2.5 -2.3% Financial Activities 328.1 326.9 331.6 1.2 0.4% -3.5 -1.1% Professional & Business Services 713.8 710.4 708.7 3.4 0.5% 5.1 0.7% Education & Health Services 1,103.4 1,102.9 1,082.1 0.5 0.0% 21.3 2.0% Leisure & Hospitality 503.3 501.9 499.6 1.4 0.3% 3.7 0.7% Other Services 256.6 256.1 257.8 0.5 0.2% -1.2 -0.5% Government 748.9 748.2 743.6 0.7 0.1% 5.3 0.7% For a more detailed breakdown of seasonally adjusted jobs data at the sector level, please contact the Center for Workforce Information & Analysis at 1-877-4WF-DATA, or visit www.paworkstats.state.pa.us Note: November 2008 labor force and nonfarm jobs statistics will be released Dec. 18, 2008. CONTACT: Troy Thompson 717-787-7530 Source: Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry CONTACT: Troy Thompson of Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, +1-717-787-7530 Web Site: http://www.paworkstats.state.pa.us/ http://www.state.pa.us/ ------- Profile: labor-news
posted by McMillion & Hirtensteiner LLP Labor News # 3:10 PM
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