Labor and Workforce

Position

News

• Op-Ed Contributor: How to End the Great Recession
  Sep 3, 2010 — New York Times
  Even though the American economy kept growing, hourly wages flattened. The economists Emmanuel Saez and Thomas Piketty examined tax returns from 1913 to 2008. Much of this was paid for with a 70 percent to 90 percent marginal income tax on the highest incomes.
• Socially conscious shoppers look for the fair-trade label -- but what does it mean?
  Sep 3, 2010 — Chicago Tribune
  In return, buyers guarantee a minimum fair-trade price that protects farmers from plunges in the market price, plus a social premium used for community development projects picked by the democratically elected co-op leadership. There's an additional premium for organic products.
• Council approves home-purchase program for flood victims
  Sep 2, 2010 — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
  Joe Dudzik introduced a measure calling on the state to delay action until a new governor takes office.
• Fired Delray cancer patient wins $8.1 million from Michaels
  Sep 2, 2010 — Sun Sentinel
  Within days after her mastectomy, according to the lawsuit, District Manager Skip Sand began calling Jorud asking her when she was coming back to work. I've had a hard time hanging on but I stayed with it," Jorud said, "I've had a lot of medical issues and it's been a tough two years.
• Aldermen keep Amtrak train shed project on track
  Sep 1, 2010 — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
  Joe Dudzik introduced a measure calling on the state to delay action until a new governor takes office.
• BRIEF
  Sep 1, 2010 — The Baltimore Sun
  Inc., denied overtime to 41 workers performing manhole inspections for working more than 40 hours week, the Labor Department said. The company also did not keep proper records of employee work hours, the agency found. The employees were required to pick up and drive company vehicles prior to arriving at a job site and then return them after their shift ended. They weren't paid for those hours. The Fair Labor Standards Act requires hourly employees to be paid at least...
• Fired cancer patient wins $8.1 million from Michaels Stores
  Sep 1, 2010 — Sun Sentinel
  Within days after her mastectomy, according to the lawsuit, District Manager Skip Sand began calling Jorud asking her when she was coming back to work. I've had a hard time hanging on but I stayed with it," Jorud said, "I've had a lot of medical issues and it's been a tough two years.
• 1,500 apply for 300 jobs at South Tampa Walmart
  Aug 31, 2010 — St. Petersburg Times
  ...this hiring center after seeing banners and signs along Gandy Boulevard in South Tampa with magic words: "Walmart is hiring." A new supercenter is being finished at 4302 W Gandy Blvd., and the store needs 300 employees. In Tampa Bay, where the unemployment rate hovers at 13 percent, some had to rub their eyes and look again. "You always hear of 300 jobs being laid off," said Teedee McFarland, 40, an applicant. Since the hiring center opened Aug. 16 at 4644 W Gandy Blvd.,...
• A leg up for teens in a tough job market
  Aug 31, 2010 — The Baltimore Sun
  That's the smallest uptick since 1949. A rough teen job market might pale in comparison to the woes of unemployed adults with mortgages and children. Some already have children to support. Jazmin Campbell, 20, has worked for a variety of employers but couldn't find a new job after giving birth five months ago. Into the trash pile. "That's not even the worst thing I've seen," Lee said. It was a lot for a new recruit to take in.
• Special Olympics bars student with special needs
  Aug 31, 2010 — Chicago Tribune
  As she plays basketball, Youngwith holds Simba's leash. The Wildcats also got to play against a Special Olympics team at the United Center on Feb. 10 before a Bulls game. The team got recognized at a board meeting. Her mom said Youngwith was crying at home.