January 2012

Bright Futures or Student Debt?

Submitted by Chris Hicks on January 31, 2012

Written by Ida Vishkaee Eskamani – College Democrats at University of Central Florida

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In 1997, Florida’s legislature created a scholarship program called Bright Futures. It was a program that allowed high school seniors with high academic merit to earn a scholarship for any public university in the state of Florida. Based on Georgia’s successful HOPE scholarship, this program would be paid for by the Florida Lottery, and based merit on GPA as well as standardized test scores. Bright Futures was divided into three types of scholarships, designed for three different types of students. There was one created for those high school seniors’ pursuing vocational degrees, one for the “B” students, and another for the “A” students. The “B” students earned a 75% scholarship for university, 100% for community college. The “A” students were granted a 100% scholarship for any public university.

I was one of those “A” students.

Joint Effort Launched to Confront Corporate Power

Submitted by JwJNational on January 30, 2012

Act now to confront corporate power!

This week, in over one hundred cities and towns, thousands will launch a series of actions building towards the Shareholder Spring, delivering letters to the executives of the corporations in this country most responsible for undermining our democracy, crashing our economy, poisoning our environment and widening the gap between rich and poor.

imageBy coming together around a joint strategy to confront corporate power, this effort could shape the 2012 electoral debates.  The negative roles unregulated corporate power has on our economy and our elections would be front and center of the national conversation.  In races nationwide candidates would have to decide which side they are on:  Corporations, the structures of the 1%, or the rest of us.

Cablevision Workers Triumph: Brooklyn Technicians Vote To Unionize

Submitted by Chris Hicks on January 27, 2012

282 Brooklyn Workers Overcome Vigorous Anti-Union Campaign;
Become First Cablevision Employees To Join a Union In Predominately Non-Union Cable TV Industry

Today, 282 Brooklyn Cablevision technicians and dispatchers in Brooklyn voted to join the Communications Workers of America (CWA), Local 1109 in a union election administered by National Labor Relations Board, overcoming a vigorous anti-union campaign led by Cablevision.  They are the first Cablevision workers to join a union.  Cable TV is an overwhelmingly non-union industry while the traditional telecommunications industry remains highly unionized.

“I’ve waited 13 years for this,” said Cablevision technician Clarence Adams.  “United, as members of Communications Workers of America, we now have the power to negotiate a fair contract that will give us the dignity and respect on the job we deserve.”

Cablevision workers are currently subject to arbitrary discipline and favoritism by managers, their health care coverage is inadequate, their workload is unreasonable and they have insufficient 401(k) retirement plans.  Cablevision workers also make at least one-third less than Verizon workers, who are represented by CWA.

Recommit to the Dream and the Commitment to Economic & Social Justice

Submitted by Chris Hicks on January 18, 2012

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US Trade-Union Movement Honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Detroit, MI

Hundreds of trade unionists and allies gathered in Detroit this weekend to honor the legacy and life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the annual AFL-CIO MLK, Jr. Day Observance.  Virtually every union in the US attended this gathering seeking fellowship and inspiration as they remembered Dr. King’s life and work.  Youth and veterans alike were well represented throughout the weekend.

The Holiday Weekend observance entailed a number of activities focused on honoring Dr. King and renewing his commitment to social and economic justice.  There were community service projects in Detroit, a march, award ceremonies, meals with powerful speakers, as well as workshops that covered a range of topics from building powerful coalitions, quality public education, social media & social justice, the economic crisis and the need for good jobs, and telling our stories – delivering our message.

DUTCH PENSION FUND DUMPS WALMART: Cites repeated violation of international labor standards

Submitted by JwJNational on January 5, 2012

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Leaders of the Making Change at Walmart campaign hailed the news that one of the largest pension funds in the world has decided to divest from Walmart stores. Algemeen Burgerlijk Pensioenfonds (ABP) announced today that the retirement fund would no longer invest in the retail giant due to the company’s repeated violation of international labor standards. The fund, which has over $300 billion in assets and is the third largest in the world, had over $147 million invested in Walmart as of September 30, 2011.

“This is an important day for Walmart associates who want to be treated with respect,” said Dan Schlademan, director of Making Change at Walmart. “We’re pleased to see that ABP realizes that Walmart might be saying the right thing about respecting workers, but continues to engage in all kinds of bad behavior. This should send a clear message to Walmart and its shareholders: treating workers poorly is bad for business.”

Last October, Walmart associates brought that message to company shareholders during the annual analyst meeting in Bentonville, Arkansas. Workers testified about the unfair tactics deployed by management against employees. One of those workers, Ernestine Bassett, hailed today’s decision.

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Jobs with Justice is a national network of local coalitions that bring together labor unions, faith groups, community organizations, and student activists to fight for working people. Our members are in the streets in 46 cities in 24 states across the country.

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