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Spotlight NewsletterAugust 20, 2010 |
Volume 1, Issue 158
Economists: Whitman's Plan Would Spell Disaster for California
More than a dozen respected California economists spoke out against Meg Whitman's economic policy proposals, after careful analysis revealed she used flawed data and bogus claims to substantiate her positions.
"The evidence and theory that Whitman uses to diagnose California's problems are unscientific and an unsound basis for policy," the economists wrote in an open letter to California voters. "As a result, her diagnosis and her proposed economic policies are both deeply flawed. If implemented, her policy proposals will deepen California's budget crisis and are likely to reduce employment and economic growth."
Car Wash Owners Get Jail Time for Violating Workers' Rights
This week, carwash workers in Los Angeles celebrated a huge victory when the City Attorney announced that two of LA's worst carwash owners -- brothers Benny and Nissan Pirian - have both been sentenced to a year in jail for egregious workplace violations. This major legal victory is in large part due to the carwash workers and allies with the CLEAN carwash campaign, who reported the numerous labor violations that led to the criminal complaint and subsequent conviction.
"The Pirian brothers were held accountable because workers at the Pirian carwashes collectively stood up for their rights and for better conditions on the job. Their efforts to organize for a voice are finally bringing accountability to the carwash industry," said CLEAN carwash campaign director Henry Huerta. "Carwash owners should take notice that workers can-and will-continue to expose illegal workplace conditions in their fight for a voice at work."
UC Labor Center Workshops on the New Federal Health Care Law
To help clear up any misconceptions around the new federal health care law, the UC Berkeley Labor Center is partnering with the California Labor Federation to put on a series of workshops aimed at helping workers and unions understand the changes in store as the new policy is implemented.
Topics that will be covered include: detailing the new health care law and regulations, new health plan standards, how grandfathered plans are defined, new employer responsibilities and opportunities, new subsidies and Medi-Cal expansion, state health policy updates, and what the law will mean for union negotiators
The workshop will be held on Sept 10th at the UCLA Labor Center and again on September 14th at the Alameda Central Labor Council, with another workshop in Modesto to be announced in the coming weeks.
Protest Carly Fiorina at GOP Convention Luncheon
Senatorial candidate and failed CEO Carly Fiorina is notorious for outsourcing tens of thousands of jobs while she was the head of Hewlett-Packard, and now she wants to bring that corporate agenda to Washington in her campaign to de-seat Senator Barbara Boxer.
Take a stand against Fiorina outside the GOP convention luncheon in her honor this weekend. The event will take place on Saturday, August 21st from 11am to 130pm at the Hyatt Manchester Hotel, 1 Market Place in San Diego.
For more information, click here or call (619) 990-3510.
Laborers' Union Rejoins AFL-CIO
This week, the Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) announced it is rejoining the AFL-CIO., after leaving the federation four years ago.
"LIUNA brings a proud history and dedication to the union movement and we are delighted to welcome them back to the AFL-CIO," said AFL-CIO President Rich Trumka.
This Week on "Labor's Edge"
Araceli Ruano of the Center for American Progress highlighted the new report by leading economists on Whitman's economic plan.
We blogged on Meg Whitman's disastrous week, which was riddled with attacks from all sides.
The AFL-CIO's James Parks reported back from the massive jobs rally with AFL-CIO President Trumka in LA.
We detailed Meg Whitman's non-stop flip-flopping on immigration and other Latino issues.
Chloe Osmer of the CLEAN carwash campaign shared news of the carwash workers' victory over carwash owners Benny and Nissan Pirian.
We posted our weekly Rants & Raves.
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