Articles : Labor News

California Unions in the News for early September

The Supremes consider the Governor’s furloughs; uniformed police officers face layoffs; fears, lies and million$ are used in a union war; and a California newspaper defends public employees.

Los Angeles City and its Unions in the News

The City faces a possible expense to assist the Alameda Corridor, troubles for all unions in our city, and a new organizing drive by another union.  Read the full details in today's links.

Stop Blaming Public Employees

The Sacramento Bee prints an article for Labor Day.  In it they point out that "California public sector workers earn 8 percent less on average than their private sector counterparts. . . Even considering benefit costs, total compensation for public sector workers is lower on average than compensation in the private sector for similar skill levels" and add that "The problem (underfunding of public pensions) arose because both public and private sector employers stopped paying into the pensions during good times."  At the end they advise their readers: "On Labor Day, take some time to thank our public servants, rather than make them the misplaced targets of frustration and fear."

‘There is Power in a Union’

"When corporations show a solid front against unionization, the power structure does not criticize such monolithic behavior. But when unions demonstrate solidarity, those in the power structure see the behavior as un-American. How does that compute?"  Learn the source of this quote by reading the entire article.

EAA Announces Affiliation With the American Federation of Teachers

Your elected Board of Governors approved affiliation with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) in a special “Committee of the Whole” meeting on September 2, 2010.  This meeting followed a week of focused discussions between the AFT and EAA on the terms of the affiliation.  This affiliation continues EAA’s active involvement in the labor movement as AFT is a major AFL-CIO union with over 1.5 million members.  Now that EAA has joined AFT, we have the full rights, responsibilities and protections provided by the AFL-CIO, LA County Labor Federation and Solidarity Charters.

EAA Prevails In Another LAPD Termination Case -update 9-09-10

Continuing his success with cases involving LAPD, EAA labor representative Ben Pezzillo represented George Cormany, whom many of you remember as a very active Union Steward.  His story is a reminder to you all that EAA takes its representation duties seriously and fights for your rights.   We fight with you regardless of the time frame required for resolution.  UPDATE 9-09-10: The CAO does the right thing regarding the ERIP question.  See end of the article.

EAA and Other Workers in the News

City Watch thinks EAA got good deal in our MOU’s, sweatshop settlement in Los Angeles, California state employees MOU’s are approved, City of Miami unilaterally hammers their employees, and hotel workers authorize a strike in Los Angeles.

MORE OF UNIONS IN THE NEWS

With Labor Day just around the corner, let’s honor Union Stewards of ALL unions.  Thank you volunteers!  In other stories, one union refuses to oppose weaker safety law for its members, the same union is accused of being aided illegally by management, more public employees pay a portion of healthcare premiums, and a “Brief History of Union Unsolidarity”.

Pension News for August

Pensions for public employees are in the news this week.  An analysis of California retirees says public pensions are modest; pension funds, including LACERS, are increasing in value; and one misguided newspaper calls for elimination of public pensions.

Public Employee News from Around the Southwest-UPDATE-furloughs for CA state workers

More public employers are discovering the benefits of modified work shift, more public employees are retiring, and many cities are now under investigation for corruption.  Each of these stories has the potential to have an impact on our City.  3:15 PM UPDATE: Today, the California Supreme Court issued a stay on further proceedings in the CA State workers case and the temporary restraing order preventing the furloughs.  This means the Governor can furlough State workers as soon as this Friday.