NH Labor News

Granite State Progress Applauds NH House Standing Up for Employee Protections During HB 357 Committee of Conference

Granite State Progress — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:09:04 +0000

Jeb Bradley and the American Payroll Association would have moved New Hampshire workers over to fee-laden payroll cards

Concord, NH – Granite State Progress applauds the New Hampshire House – and specifically, State Representatives Andy White, Chuck Weed, Doug Ley and Michael Cahill – for standing strong to protect workers and small businesses in New Hampshire during the Committee of Conference on HB 357 today. The New Hampshire House previously voted SB 100, abolishing paper paycheck options, inexpedient to legislate by a strong bi-partisan vote of 235-93. In response, the Senate added the same policy to a pro-worker bill, HB 357, which would have prohibited an employer from using credit history in employment decisions. “We were disappointed to see the Senate use a pro-active, worker’s rights bill as a vehicle for a policy that would undoubtedly hurt middle and lower income families,” said Zandra Rice Hawkins, director of Granite State Progress. “Granite State Progress applauds the House decision to non-concur on the bill rather than allow Jeb Bradley to abolish paper paycheck options in New Hampshire and push employees without bank accounts over to payroll cards with few to no consumer protections. This special interest legislation would have come at a cost to New Hampshire families and small businesses.” Passing legislation that abolishes paper paychecks or otherwise forces workers over to fee-laden payroll cards follows a dangerous pattern supported by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). Senator Jeb Bradley has been the prime sponsor of such legislation in recent years, going so far as to mislead committee members and fellow legislators about the use of the cards. During the COC today, Bradley attempted to tell conferees that workers would not be charged payroll card fees if they used nationally branded cards, which is not true. Representing the Senate for the COC were Senators Jeb Bradley, Andy Sanborn, and Andrew Hosmer.

June 18, 1935

Today In Labor History — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:48:42 +0000

By Today in Labor History

Locked out dock workers and supporters march through Vancouver, British Columbia, toward Ballantyne Pier where scabs are unloading ships, and are met and attacked by police and Mounties. The ensuing battle lasted for three hours, and resulted in numerous injuries and hospitalizations, including that of a fleeing striker who had been shot in the back of his legs.

NH Senate Refuses To Work With House On Voter ID After Flip-Flopping On The Issue

Granite State Progress — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 23:11:15 +0000

Voter ID Will Cost an Estimated $11 Million Over the Next 4 Years While Harming Sweet Little Old Ladies Like This.

CONCORD, NH – Senate Republicans refused to accept a legislative compromise today despite the fact that it would have reverted to the position they fought for just last session. The Committee of Conference disagreement on HB 595 overturns the Senate position from last year, will cost New Hampshire an estimated $11 million over the next four years,¹ and jeopardizes access to the ballot for sweet little old ladies like Concord’s Mary Louise Hancock, age 92.

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“Senate Republicans have completely flip-flopped on this issue, endorsing more restrictive forms of ID and supporting costly voter mug shots, all of which will add expense and confusion to our polling places and all of which they previously opposed.” – Jessica Clark, State Director, America Votes “Senate Republicans want your grandmother to pose for a voter mug shot like some sort of criminal just to obtain a ballot. It’s outrageous how much this voter ID scam will cost the state to purchase cameras, cords and printers for polling locations plus training, when that money could better be spent protecting essential health services from the chopping block Senate Republicans have placed them on.” – Zandra Rice Hawkins, Executive Director, Granite State Progress 1) America Votes & League of Women Voters of New Hampshire, Report on Anticipated Voter ID Costs, May 7, 2013 For more information: http://granitestateprogress.org/photo/senate-republicans-want-cut-services-and-jobs-while-spending-11-million-voter-mug-shots

AFL-CIO President Trumka On Senate Immigration Reform Debate and ‘Hard Triggers’

New Hampshire Labor News — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:00:37 +0000

Working people, including the 12 million members of the AFL-CIO, would like to remind our elected leaders why there is no higher legislative priority than immigration reform, which must include a certain and inclusive path to citizenship and respect the rights of America’s workers. The threat of deportation leaves millions of immigrant workers subject to abuse by greedy employers, injuring the workers and undermining the entire U.S. labor market. That workplace crisis is a powerful economic argument for citizenship. And yet now that the Senate has begun to debate the bill, we are hearing insistent calls for more border security and the imposition of hard triggers. “Americans in all but paper” deserve a certain road map, not an obstacle course based on hard triggers whose true purpose is to significantly reduce the number of immigrants eligible for legalization. So long as they do their part, pay back taxes, pass a background check, go to the back of the line, then they must be allowed to get on the road to citizenship. They cannot be held responsible for border security, and punishing them for any possible future border control failings is particularly perverse in light of the fact that President Obama has presided over record deportations. We oppose any amendments to the bill that impose hard triggers whose real purpose and real impact will be to close off the opportunity for eligible immigrants to become citizens. Aspiring Americans deserve a certain path to citizenship if they do their part. Anything short of that is unacceptable to the AFL-CIO and will doom the bill to failure. The Senate needs to shift discussions away from schemes to appease those who really have no desire to pass immigration and back to responding to the urgent deportation crisis and fixing this broken system.

New Hampshire Court Strikes Down State Funding For Religious Schools

Advancing New Hampshire Public Education — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 19:59:34 +0000

Court agrees that the voucher tax credit law passed over the governor's veto in 2012 violated the New Hampshire Constitution

Portsmouth, NH - Advancing New Hampshire Public Education and parents throughout the State welcomed today's Strafford County Superior Court decision striking down the provisions of education tax credit law that fund religious schools. The program will, however, still be able to provide funding to, primarily, students leaving New Hampshire public schools to attend secular private schools, out-of-district public schools and home schools. The court decision confirmed that the law did divert tax payments to religious schools. Regarding the key contention that granting tax credits in return for donations amounted to the expenditure of public funds, the Court said: "The phrases "public funds," or "money raised by taxation," focuses the Court's inquiry not on when the government's technical "ownership" of funds or monies arises, but on when, or at what point, the public's interest fairly arises in how funds or monies are spent. The Court concludes that the interest of New Hampshire taxpayers in regard to challenging the legality of legislation such as the program at bar does not arise only after money is deposited in the New Hampshire treasury.... "....A taxpayer's interest is also not dependent on the number of hands the money passes through. A taxpayer's concern arises when a large portion of the donated funds are, as here, realized very much through a tax credit.... "This Court concludes that the program uses "public funds," or "money raised by taxation," and thus the program implicates Part I, Article 6, and Part II, Article 83. The New Hampshire tax code is the avenue used for producing and directing much money into the program. Contrary to the State's assertion that "the government has not set aside revenue for a specific purpose," see State's Trial Mem. 17, it appears to the Court that is indeed exactly what the legislature has done. Money that would otherwise be flowing to the government is diverted for the very specific purpose of providing scholarships to students." Finally, the Court granted an injunction prohibiting the State from paying religious schools with these tax credit funded donations, saying: "The plaintiffs' request for injunctive relief is GRANTED to the extent that, effective immediately, the State and all those involved with the program's realization and implementation are enjoined from proceeding to allow scholarships, as well as any associated tax credits, to be approved, granted, or applied, or in any way further carried forth or realized, in regard to, or toward, or covering educational expenses of "schools or institutions of any religious sect or denomination" within the meaning of Part II, Article 83." The the nine plaintiffs - including clergy, parents and one business - are represented by three civil liberties groups: Americans United for Separation of Church and State, the New Hampshire Civil Liberties Union and the American Civil Liberties Union. The program allows businesses to receive an 85 percent tax credit - in practice, an almost dollar for dollar reimbursement - for donations made to “scholarship organizations” that, in turn, subsidize the tuitions of low and moderate income children leaving the public schools. The law took effect on January 1, 2013. The program could have granted up to $3.4 million in tax credits in its first year, $5.1 million during its second year and increasing amounts every year thereafter. A total of $139,885.75 in tax credits has been requested to date. Bill Duncan, of Advancing New Hampshire Public Education, and a plaintiff in the case, said, "This wise decision is one more step in putting the voucher debate behind us. We should invest in the 45,000 low income kids in our public schools rather than using our education funding to send a few children to religious schools."

Over A Dozen Arrested And Thousands Protest at Peabody Headquarters (@MineWorkers)

New Hampshire Labor News — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 19:52:28 +0000

Mine Workers say “Jury is Not Out” on Giant Coal Firms as Deadline Looms for Cut-off of Retiree Benefits and Cuts for Active Miners

St. Louis – Thousands of members and supporters of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) protested today in front of Peabody Energy headquarters in downtown St. Louis, demonstrating against the giant coal firms they say are responsible for the pending cut-off of health care benefits for retired miners and severe wage and benefit cuts for active workers. “Their strategy is ‘deny, deny, deny,” said UMWA President Cecil Roberts, who spoke during today’s rally. “We respond the same way we do our work underground in the coal mines: We stick together, we shine a light where it’s dark, and we insist that the health, safety and welfare of our members and our families is the number one priority for this industry.” Twelve protestors were arrested for “failure to obey” today, following non-violent civil disobedience in front of Peabody headquarters on Market Street, including:

UMWA Secretary Treasurer Dan Kane
Ron Collins, Chief of Staff to Communication Workers of America President Larry Cohen
UMWA members from Alabama, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.

“These corporate executives must have figured they could mess with the lives of people from small towns in the coalfields, and nobody would ever know,” said William ‘Sonny’ Smith, a member of UMWA Local 2161 from Illinois who was among those arrested for trespassing today in front of Peabody Energy’s headquarters. “We’re not going to let that happen. If Peabody and Arch get away with what they’re trying to do to us, than no labor contract in America is worth the paper it’s written on.” Mining operations that were wholly-owned and controlled by Peabody Energy negotiated and signed numerous agreements promising lifetime health care for retired mine workers and their families. In 2007, however, Peabody spun off Patriot Coal, assigning the new company 43 percent of its retiree health care liabilities and just 11 per cent of its assets. In 2008, Patriot also acquired the liabilities of Magnum Coal Company. Patriot, which has been described as “designed to fail” by Temple University Finance Professor Bruce Rader, was unable to operate with these liabilities and filed for bankruptcy protection in 2012. Last month, U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Kathy Surratt-States granted Patriot’s request to effectively eliminate health care for retired miners and their families, and to impose severe cuts in wages, benefits, and working conditions for active miners. Patriot is able to impose these cutbacks on July 1. UMWA representatives are currently in negotiations with Patriot executives, seeking alternatives to the company’s harsh and unnecessary demands. “We’re doing all we can to find solutions that will allow Patriot to keep operating while respecting the security and safety of our active and retired members,” said Roberts. “But we all know that the resources needed to really solve these problems are piled up in the corporate coffers of Peabody Energy and Arch Coal. Those two companies made billions from the sweat and hard work of our members, and if these executives think we’re going to sit idle while they abandon their promises and put our members at risk – well, then they don’t really know or understand the United Mine Workers of America.” A lawsuit on behalf of UMWA members, filed in West Virginia, charges that Peabody, Arch and Patriot violated the federal Employment Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) by scheming to eliminate contractually-guaranteed lifetime health care benefits for retirees. The union is also working with members of Congress from both parties to pursue legislative remedies. The UMWA is also continuing a public education campaign, with a “Peabody Lied” television advertisement currently running in St. Louis and Evansville, Illinois. UMWA members and family members arrested today include: James Jarrell, UMWA Local Union 9177 Mike Browning, UMWA Local Union 9177 Joe Hicks, UMWA Local Union 5958 William ‘Sonny’ Smith, UMWA Local Union 2161 Carol Smith (spouse of William Smith) Larry Spencer, UMWA Local Union 2397 Jimmy Thomas, UMWA Local Union 1928 Jerry Stallard, UMWA Local Union 2274 Jeff Samek, UMWA Local Union 2300 Tom Mills, UMWA Local Union 2300. Additional information about the UMWA campaign to stand up for active and retired miners is at FairnessAtPatriot.org.

June 17, 1864

Today In Labor History — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:46:35 +0000

By Today in Labor History

Twenty workers are killed and many others seriously injured in an explosion at the U.S. Arsenal in Washington, D.C. The workers were girls and young women, mostly Irish immigrants, making ammunition for the Union Army. The funeral procession, which included President Abraham Lincoln, stretched for more than a mile. A monument was erected in the Congressional Cemetery, where 17 of the workers were buried.

Today in labor history for the week of June 17, 2013

Today In Labor History — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 05:46:55 +0000

Today in labor history for the week of June 17, 2013

June 17
Twenty-one young women and girls making cartridges at the Washington, D.C. arsenal during the Civil War are killed in an accidental explosion. Most of the victims were Irish immigrants - 1864

Susan B. Anthony goes on trial in Canandaigua, N.Y., for casting her ballot in a federal election the previous November, in violation of existing statutes barring women from the vote - 1873

Mary Harris "Mother" Jones leads a rally in Philadelphia to focus public attention on children mutilated in the state's textile mills. Three weeks later the 73-year-old will lead a march to New York City to plead with President Theodore Roosevelt to help improve conditions for the children - 1903

Twelve trade unionists meet in Pittsburgh to launch a drive to organize all steelworkers. It was the birth of the United Steelworkers of America (then called the Steel Workers Organizing Committee). By the end of the year 125,000 workers joined the union in support of its $5-a-day wage demand - 1936

Nine firefighters are killed, eight more injured when a large section of Boston’s Hotel Vendom collapses on them. The firefighters were performing cleanup when the collapse occurred, having successfully struck a fire at the luxury hotel earlier in the day - 1972

June 18
Union and civil rights leader A. Philip Randolph and others meet with President Roosevelt about a proposed July 1 March on Washington to protest discrimination in war industries. A week later, Roosevelt orders that the industries desegregate - 1941
(A Philip Randolph: A Biographical Portrait: This is a fascinating biography of a great American hero. A. Philip Randolph (1889-1979) was not only the most famous African American labor leader of his time, he was also a key figure in the civil rights movement.)

June 19
Eight-hour work day adopted for federal employees - 1912

AFL President Sam Gompers and Secretary of War Newton Baker sign an agreement establishing a three-member board of adjustment to control wages, hours and working conditions for construction workers employed on government projects. The agreement protected union wage and hour standards for the duration of World War I - 1917

A pioneering sit-down strike is conducted by workers at a General Tire Co. factory in Akron, Ohio. The United Rubber Workers union was founded a year later. The tactic launched a wave of similar efforts in the auto and other industries over the next several years - 1934

The Women’s Day Massacre in Youngstown, Ohio, when police use tear gas on women and children, including at least one infant in his mother's arms, during a strike at Republic Steel. One union organizer later recalled, "When I got there I thought the Great War had started over again. Gas was flying all over the place and shots flying and flares going up and it was the first time I had ever ...read more

Source: Today In Labor History (Unionist.com)

June 16, 1918

Today In Labor History — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 14:46:37 +0000

By Today in Labor History

Railroad union leader and socialist Eugene V. Debs speaks in Canton, Ohio, on the relationship between capitalism and war. Ten days later he was arrested under the Espionage Act and eventually sentenced to 10 years in jail.

June 15, 1990

Today In Labor History — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 14:48:37 +0000

By Today in Labor History

Janitors in Los Angeles are brutally beaten by police during a peaceful demonstration in the Century City district. The incident generated public outrage and the janitors subsequently won their first union contract. The Justice for Janitors campaign has helped hundreds of thousands of janitors in cities across the country raise industry standards and transform poverty wages into livable wages.

Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter Announces Support for Infrastructure Projects In NH

New Hampshire Labor News — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 19:37:18 +0000

Cosponsors transportation and environmental initiatives to promote economic activity and lay the foundation for future growth

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter continued her commitment to building a strong economy by cosponsoring bills and supporting projects that would create jobs, improve crumbling roads and bridges in New Hampshire, and address aging water infrastructure. “We can’t allow Washington gridlock to stand in the way of New Hampshire’s progress,” Shea-Porter said. “Building better roads and bridges and keeping our air and water clean aren’t partisan issues, and they’ll help strengthen the recovery, spur job creation, and maintain our great natural resources so that the Granite State continues to be a place where people want to live and where businesses thrive.” Congresswoman Shea-Porter recognizes the importance of modern transportation to the growth and competitiveness of the economy. To meet this critical need, she’s announcing her cosponsorship of legislation to create a National Infrastructure Bank. This legislation would leverage private dollars and invest in infrastructure projects that create jobs that cannot be outsourced and provide the foundation our businesses need to compete and succeed. The Bank would support projects to improve drinking and wastewater systems, as well as energy transmission, smarter grids, and energy efficiency and storage efforts. The National Infrastructure Bank concept is supported by the labor, business, finance and environmental communities, and a bipartisan group of governors and mayors. Restoring New Hampshire’s crumbling infrastructure has the dual benefit of creating jobs in the short-term and laying the foundation for long-term competitiveness. Shea-Porter recently wrote a letter to Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood requesting $8.2 million for road construction in the town of Londonderry. This grant would improve access to the Manchester Airport and lead to broader economic development of 1,000 acres of industrially and commercially zoned land. Projections estimate that such an initiative would create thousands of jobs and bring millions in revenue and continue economic growth in the Granite State. As a member of the House Natural Resources Committee, Shea-Porter has consistently fought for increased funding for water and wastewater infrastructure for New Hampshire cities and towns. She recently sent a letter to Bob Perciasepe, Acting Administrator of the EPA, to express concerns about the financial burden facing towns and communities around Great Bay in New Hampshire and request financial assistance for those communities seeking to upgrade wastewater treatment facilities. Shea-Porter also cosponsored the Water Pollution Control Investment Act, which would authorize appropriations for state water pollution control revolving funds. The letter and legislation demonstrate her commitment to preserving New Hampshire’s national treasures without imposing crippling costs on surrounding towns. Investments in New Hampshire’s infrastructure and environmental protection create well-paying jobs, and will achieve critical improvements for New Hampshire’s roads, bridges, and water that will attract new businesses and maintain our quality of life.

Now A Proven Fact, NH Can Opt Out Of Medicaid Expansion At A Future Date

New Hampshire Labor News — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 15:43:33 +0000

In a giant I TOLD YOU SO, Medicaid supporters received support on their push to expand Medicaid in New Hampshire. The Gary Rayno's article, "State told it can opt out of Medicaid expansion at any time" reports:

CONCORD – The director of the Center of Medicaid and Medicare Services sent a letter to Gov. Maggie Hassan assuring her the state may opt out of Medicaid expansion without penalty. In a letter stamped June 13, CMS director Cindy Mann told Hassan, "Should New Hampshire choose to expand Medicaid coverage, the state may drop that expanded coverage at any time, without financial penalty from the federal government." One of the reasons Senate Republicans gave for not wanting to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act at this time was uncertainty over the state's ability to opt out of the program. Republicans were concerned if the federal government failed to live up to its promise to pay 100 percent of the cost of expanding eligibility for three years and then at least 90 percent in the following years.

This letter may have come in a day late as the NH Senate has already voted to reject the Medicaid Expansion. The expansion could still be included in the budget 'horse-trading'. The idea that once New Hampshire took the money to expand Medicaid there was no way to go back was one of the sticking points for Senator Bragdon when he met with constituents in Milford a couple of weeks ago. He said implied that it would not completely change his opinion but it would move him closer. Senator Bragdon was not alone in this. It seemed to be one of the biggest questions to accepting the expansion money. Well now you have the facts. New Hampshire can take the expansion money with no strings attached. Take the 100% funding now, and if in three years we need to go back, we can have that discussion then. If you support Medicaid expansion, consider showing your support to the Budget Committee of Conference on Monday June 17th (details here).

June 14, 1911

Today In Labor History — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:46:18 +0000

By Today in Labor History

Transport workers on strike in Liverpool over wages, hours, and union recognition, call for a general strike when the employers’ Shipping Federation refuses to negotiate with the unions affiliated with the Transport Workers Federation. The strike was a success and within weeks the workers’ demands were met, inspiring a wave of similarly successful strikes by other industries in the city over the following months. ...read more Source: Today In Labor History (Union Review)

Congressman Issa Pushes New USPS Legislation Full Of The Same Old Ideas

Matt Murray — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:26:52 +0000

Stop me if you heard this one before. A wealthy businessman and Congressman, wants to take away services from the USPS like saturday delivery and door-to-door service, all to 'save' the USPS. No this is not old news. It is however the same story being played out again by House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Rep. Darrell Issa. Congressman Issa is once again making a proposal the help 'save' the USPS by slashing services and cutting jobs. As reported by GovExec.com the the Postal Reform Act of 2013 would in short ease (not eliminate) the pre-funding requirements that are the sole reason the USPS is loosing money. "New proposals in Issa’s current bill ... include switching to actuarial calculations for future retirees’ health benefits. That plan is designed to reach full funding in 2056." This change to retiree funding could save the post office between "$2 billion and $3 billion dollars" annually. The new bill also pushes for more substantial cuts to services and employees. The bill also "grants the Postal Service reduction in force authority". Congressman Issa's proposal would also allow the USPS to break current labor agreements that prohibit the mass layoff of thousands of workers. The fun does not stop there. Congressman Issa wants to remove door-to-door services. "The oversight chairman also called for increased use of secure “clusterbox” mail delivery, while phasing out to-the-door delivery." This could mean no more stopping at the end of your driveway for your mail, you have to go to the designated 'clusterbox' for your area. This begs the question, what about packages? Since package delivery is the fastest growing section of the USPS what would happen to the packages that do not fit in the 'clusterbox'? Right now, my letter carrier brings them to my front door to deliver them. Would that still happen? Would I be forced to go to the Post Office to collect all my packages during their regular business hours? What about those people who are homebound and get their mail handed to them at their front door? This is not a requirement for letter carriers but many letter carriers do it anyway. Without door-to-door delivery this would be impossible. Congressman Issa continues to beat the dead horse on eliminating six-day delivery. "His bill also would end Saturday mail delivery, which the Postal Service announced it would do in 2013 before a rider in the most recent continuing resolution forced the agency to backtrack." The NALC President Fredric Rolando said:

"This discussion draft has a number of major problems that need to be addressed before it is used as the basis of actual legislation." "For example, Issa’s draft calls for the immediate elimination of Saturday letter mail service, for taking away from 35 million Americans door-delivery of the mail and replacing it with cluster-box delivery, and for compromising the security of the mailbox by allowing access to non-federal employees." “We are going to carefully go through this new draft in the coming days,” the president said, “and we hope that we will be able to work with the chairman on legislation to provide alternative approaches to postal reform that seek to modernize and strengthen the Postal Service—an agency with roots in the U.S Constitution—rather than to destroy it brick by brick.”

The final draft of this legislation is yet to be seen. All that Congressman Issa has to do is remove the pre-funding mandate and then the USPS will not need to cut any services or jobs. If history is our guide, Congressman Issa will push for cuts and closers over actual helpful changes to the USPS.

Monday Morning: Medicaid Expansion Visibility and Petition Delivery

New Hampshire Labor News — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 23:51:15 +0000

Please join NH Citizens Alliance, Granite State Progress, and NARAL Pro-Choice NH for a visibility and petition delivery on Monday morning in Concord to show your support for Medicaid expansion. Implementing Medicaid expansion in New Hampshire would cover 58,000 hardworking Granite Staters while bringing $2.5 billion in federal funds and hundreds of jobs into NH’s economy. Concord has named the members of the budget Committee of Conference who will determine whether New Hampshire will accept the federal funds to expand Medicaid. Their first major meeting is on Monday morning. Please attend the visibility where petitions with over 1500 signatures will be delivered. What: Medicaid Expansion Visibility and Petition Delivery Where: Legislative Office Building (LOB), 33 North State Street, Concord, directly behind the State House. We’ll meet outside and later head inside to rooms 210-211 where the Committee is meeting. When: Monday, June 17th, 8:00-9:30am RSVP: Call Jillian at 603-724-4047, email jdubois@nhcitizensalliance.org, or say you’ll come on Facebook. There will be doughnut holes as a treat for coming out so early in the morning.

See you Monday!

Don’t forget to sign the petition!

June 13, 1917

Today In Labor History — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:47:29 +0000

By Today in Labor History

Professor and union organizer Israel Kugler is born. In the 1960s, he led an 18-month long strike by faculty at St. John’s University and co-founded the Professional Staff Congress in 1972, a union of faculty at the City University of New York, which now represents more than 25,000 faculty and staff. [Photo: Kugler (third from the left) on a picket line at Baruch College, 1973.]

The H-1B Worker Program Is Creating Modern Day Indentured Servants

Matt Murray — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 01:05:27 +0000

This week the US Senate has started to debate immigration reform. This bill is large and very controversial. Everyone seems to agree, including me, that we need to create a real pathway to citizenship. We need to welcome immigrants to spur our economy, not to mention the additional tax revenues. Earlier this week I penned a post about some of the possible issues I found in the immigration reform process. One of the things I found issue with is the H-1B visa program, which allows people to live and work in the United States on a temporary basis. My problem is that the guest worker program is a lot like indentured slavery. Starting in the early 1700's, immigrants have come to the United States to chase the American Dream. Often there were huge fees upfront for passage to the US; and in many cases, immigrants were required to work off their debt as "indentured servants" once they got here. Of course that was ancient history, right? WRONG! This type of action is happening every single day here in the United States. The only difference is that these are not just low-wage workers or migrant farm workers. These are highly educated, highly skilled workers. Today the Boston Globe broke a story about how H-1B's are being used to bring teachers into Boston schools (The strange saga of Filipino workers, American schools, and H-1B visas). This is one area of the new immigration bill that needs to be addressed. People are being forced to pay thousands of dollars just for the opportunity to work in the United States. They are paying to become slaves of their employer and of their employment brokers.

"First, a $50 interview fee. Then, $5,000 to process their H-1B guest worker visas. After they borrowed the money — a year’s salary in the Philippines — she demanded an additional, unexpected fee: $7,500. The teachers were shocked, but they paid, lest they lose what they had already invested. This whole pattern of exploitation, spelled out in court documents, didn’t stop there. Hours after they landed in the United States, she forced them to sign a contract agreeing to hand over 10 percent of their salary during their second year on the job."

That is over $12,000 dollars just for the chance for this recruiter to attempt to get you a job. Then after you get a job as a teacher, you are forced to pay an additional 10% of your salary back to the recruiter. All of this for a job as a teacher whose starting pay is on average $30,377. Oh but the story gets worse. Most are told that this $12,000 will buy them a three-year work visa, when in fact that is not the case.

"Instead of securing three-year work visas, she (Navarro) got them visas for one year, and charged a fee for renewal."

In the Globe story, they highlighted one recruiter, Lourdes Navarro. They also found that "Navarro forced the teachers to live together in an apartment complex where they paid hundreds of dollars above market rate". For those who know their history, this was a very common tactic used by mill owners in the early 1900's. Workers lived in mill housing, shopped at mill owned stores, and racked up massive debt to the mill owners. The workers' pay was so low that they could never pay off their food and housing debts, making them slaves to the mills. Teachers are not the only workers paying massive amounts of money to get the chance to work here.

“Close to Slavery,” a report by the Southern Poverty Law Center, documents Jamaicans who paid $1,500 to clean hotels, Mexicans who paid $3,000 to pick tomatoes, Indian welders who paid $14,000 to fix ships after Hurricane Katrina. (The Indians thought they were getting green card cards. Instead, they got 10-month H-2B visas.)"

There are countless horror stories of these workers being forced to work 20+ hour shifts for minimum wage. They have no recourse because the employer holds the visa. If they speak out against their employer they are fired. If they try to form a union, they are fired. Then they are reported to Immigrations Customs and Enforcement (ICE) as being here illegally. They have nowhere to go. Thankfully, there are many people out there watching out for these workers.

"With support from the American Federation of Teachers and the Southern Poverty Law Center, Cruz and her colleagues sued Navarro and won $4.5 million."

Will this new immigration bill stop the forced slavery of thousands of people who only want to live and work in the United States? There is hope.

"It regulates recruiters for the first time, and makes them pay a bond to cover workers’ wages if anything goes wrong. It also prohibits charging workers most fees. Employers are the ones who should pay."

We must be very careful in the way this new legislation handles this very complex issue. Trading a corrupt recruiter for an oppressive employer does not mean the problem is solved. This could turn into the same situation that workers in the mills faced over a hundred years ago.

Patriot breaks off negotiations with United Mine Workers

New Hampshire Labor News — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 21:32:50 +0000

Union schedules meetings with local unions in preparation for vote

[TRIANGLE, VA] Negotiators from Patriot Coal walked out of talks with the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) yesterday, threatening health care for thousands of retirees. The company also cancelled negotiations that were scheduled for the remainder of this week and into next week. “We are very disappointed by this action,” UMWA President Cecil E. Roberts said. “We had made significant progress toward reaching an agreement that provided a workable alternative to the severe terms Patriot asked for last spring and that were approved by the bankruptcy court in St. Louis. The union had agreed to more than $400 million in savings for the company over the life of the current contract, which gives them the money they say they need to survive. But that still wasn’t enough for them.” “When the company walked out, we were only about $30 to 35 million apart, which given the scope of this problem really isn’t all that much,” Roberts said. “A big chunk of that money is in bonuses the company wants to pay management personnel into the future." “I can only conclude at this point that there is no end to the depths of sacrifices our members and retirees are expected to make, even while hundreds of managers and executives are thinking about how they will spend the bonus money they’ll be getting in their bank accounts,” Roberts said, referring to a recent decision by the bankruptcy court to allow the company to pay millions in bonuses to already highly compensated personnel. “The company now says it will implement the terms and conditions approved by the judge, effective July 1,” Roberts said. “I have consistently made it clear to management that I could not recommend to our membership that they work under those terms, because the sacrifices they require from our active and retired members are too great.” Under the ruling made by Judge Kathy Surratt-States, Patriot is allowed to cut off the current system that provides health care for some 23,000 retirees, their dependents and surviving spouses and replace it with a Voluntary Employee Benefit Association (VEBA) that only has guaranteed funding of just $15 million, along with a royalty payment of 20 cents per ton of coal produced. The company would transfer a 35 percent ownership stake to the UMWA, which could be sold to raise money for the VEBA, but only after a value for the company is established. There is no way of knowing what the level of that funding would be. The ruling also allows Patriot to deny retiree health care benefits entirely to some 40 percent of currently active workers who have already worked enough years to earn those benefits. In addition, Patriot can substantially reduce the pay, benefits, paid time off and other terms and conditions of the active workforce. At the same time that Patriot is threatening to implement these cuts, the company plans to pay $25 million more in management bonuses in each of the next three years. “We have repeatedly said that we are willing to make the sacrifices needed to keep this company operating,” Roberts said. “We are working to preserve these jobs and preserve retiree health care. We also believe that those sacrifices should be shared by all, and that once the company gets through the short-term cash problem it has and begins to make money again in a few years, our sacrifices should be recognized.” “If we’re going to share the pain, we should share the gain,” Roberts said. “That’s only reasonable. But Patriot refuses to make that commitment to the people who actually mine the coal.” “We are going to explain all this, including the terms and conditions the judge approved and Patriot plans to implement, directly to our members,” Roberts said. “This is a democratic union, and our members will have their say about whether they want to work under it or not.” Roberts added that the vote would likely be held sometime during the week prior to July 1. Under the UMWA Constitution, all active members working at Patriot operations, including those who are laid off or on sick or disability leave, have the right to vote on the terms and conditions of employment. Roberts also pledged to continue the union's efforts to get Peabody Energy and Arch Coal, the true architects of the Patriot bankruptcy, to live up to their obligations to the retirees to whom Peabody and Arch promised health care benefits. “We find ourselves in this position today because Peabody and Arch made promises that they didn’t keep," Roberts said. “We are not letting them off the hook. We are airing a new round of television spots that feature the voices of the victims of their scheme. Thousands of us will be back in front of Peabody’s offices next week, and more events are planned in St. Louis and throughout the coalfields in the coming months.” “No matter what the events of the next few weeks may bring, this struggle is a long, long way from being over,” Roberts said.

AFT’s Johnson and the Child Labor Coalition Commemorate World Day Against Child Labor

New Hampshire Labor News — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 20:00:40 +0000

CARE Act, Film Screenings Highlight Discussion, Action at the Goethe-Institut Washington

WASHINGTON— Today, the American Federation of Teachers, Child Labor Coalition (CLC), labor unions, non-profits and others will participate in actions and activities around World Day Against Child Labor. At 5:00 p.m., the CLC will hold a discussion and screen four films highlighting the plight of child labor exploitation at the Goethe-Institut Washington. The American Federation of Teachers has taken a leadership role within the Child Labor Coalition (CLC) for more than a decade to help give a voice to those children who are forced into labor. AFT Secretary-Treasurer and CLC Co-Chair Lorretta Johnson released the following statement on World Day Against Child Labor. “This should not be a fight we are still having in the 21st century. Each day, millions of children around the world are being exploited and forced into work. Instead of attending school, building a strong knowledge base and preparing for the future, these children face hazardous work, low pay, and even slavery. “Be it children who manufacture textiles in Bangladesh, make bricks in Pakistan, or are forced to sell their bodies in places like Romania, the Philippines, or Cambodia, this issue leaves no corner of the earth untouched. “That includes right here in the United States of America, where there are more than 400,000 children being exploited as farmworkers. Fifty percent of children who regularly work on farms will not graduate from high school. That is unacceptable. “Until all children, regardless of where they are born, have the opportunity to receive an education, we will continue advocating and fighting on their behalf. “We should start by throwing our full support behind the immediate passage of the CARE Act, which was introduced today in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congresswoman Roybal-Allard. The Children’s Act for Responsible Employment is a very simple bill. It proposes to offer the same protections to children who work on farms as those in every other industry. “We must stop the exploitation of children employed in agri-business so they can go to school and achieve their dreams. “Our children face many obstacles. Exploitation of any kind should not be one of them. On June 16 at 9:00 p.m., CNN will air ‘Girls Rising’ a documentary on the power of education in transforming lives. On World Day Against Child Labor, we would do well to look to the young women spotlighted in ‘Girls Rising’ as our inspiration.” The AFT represents 1.5 million pre-K through 12th-grade teachers; paraprofessionals and other school-related personnel; higher education faculty and professional staff; federal, state and local government employees; nurses and healthcare workers; and early childhood educators.

Race to the Bottom: another view of what “cheap labor” looks like

Liz Iacobucci — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 14:53:18 +0000

Today’s New York Times has another tale of “cheap labor” in China:

The cry for help, a neatly folded letter stuffed inside a package of Halloween decorations sold at Kmart, traveled 5,000 miles from China into the hands of a mother of two in Oregon. Scrawling in wobbly English on a sheet of onionskin paper, the writer said he was imprisoned at a labor camp in this northeastern Chinese town, where he said inmates toiled seven days a week, their 15-hour days haunted by sadistic guards.

[Prison officials] buy small-time offenders from other cities on a sliding scale that begins at 800 renminbi, or about $130, for six months of labor.

Do the math. The Chinese prison buys their labor for $5 a week. And those inmates are working 105 hours a week. How on earth can US workers compete with that? The really bad news is: prison labor isn’t just a problem in China. It’s a problem here in the US, too. Read “The Hidden History of ALEC and Prison Labor” in The Nation here. Just one example: Arizona inmates working for private agricultural companies are paid a “whopping fee” of “more than 50 cents an hour.” Read “How US prison labour pads corporate profits at taxpayers' expense” in The Guardian here. How on earth can US workers compete with that?