http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/library/research/worldofWorkNews/wit/ WIT is a free alert service, providing abstracts and links to workplace-related news stories covered in the major media. en-us 2009 Cornell University Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:09:33 EDT 5 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EDT http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8343934.stm GM deal collapses, workers protest 2009-11-05 00:00:00.0 7495 Workers in Germany are protesting the collapse of the GM deal to sell majority shares of its Opel and Vauxhall divisions. Union representatives said that they were afraid that GM would cut more jobs than would have been cut in the deal with Opel. Under that agreement, no factories would have been closed. Officials in the U.K. and Spain had opposite reactions to the collapse of the deal. While Spain said that they would not make concessions beyond those in their deal with Magna, the U.K. officials said they were happy to work with GM. GM has said that it will cut around 10,000 jobs, but not where those jobs will be cut. Click the link above to see the article "Opel U-turn sparks German strikes", BBC News Online. (SD) Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EDT http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-ap-us-productivity,0,4117592.story Worker productivity rises as labor costs decline 2009-11-05 00:00:00.0 7496 A Department of Labor report says that productivity rose at a rate of 9.5% in the third quarter. Labor costs fell at a 5.2% rate, larger than the 4% decrease economists were expecting. This comes as companies continue to lay off workers, meaning that productivity rose with fewer workers working at lower wages. Analysts believe that the unemployment rate could reach as high as 10.5% by next summer, before beginning to go down. The Federal Reserve has pledged to keep interest rates low to encourage consumer spending in hopes of stimulating the economy and the job market. Click the link above to see the article "Productivity advances at fastest pace in 6 years in 3Q as labor costs fall sharply", by Martin Crutsinger, Chicago Tribune. (SD) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EDT http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/marketwire/0554899.htm Clorox joins the fight for equal workplace rights 2009-11-04 00:00:00.0 7492 The Clorox Company announced Tuesday that it has joined the Business Coalition for Workplace Fairness. The Coalition comprises a group of US employers who support improving workplace fairness for LGBTQ employees. The coalition supports the Employment Discrimination Act (ENDA) which would establish workplace protections similar to those that exist for other groups, for LGBTQ employees. Essentially, the Coalition would like to establish federal standards that treat all employees the same, and protect them from 'irrational discrimination.' Clorox CEO Don Knauss calls the decision to join the Coalition "one of our key social responsibilities" and also a vital business imperative. Click the link above to see the article "The Clorox Company joins the Business Coalition for Workplace Fairness", by Aileen Zerudo, CNN Money. (JKW) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/coffeecity/2010195189_starbucks_loses_three_of_four.html Starbucks awarded one out of four reversals 2009-11-04 00:00:00.0 7493 Tuesday, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) announced a decision that overturned only one of four appeals Starbucks had made. A New York state judge had ruled that work rules were unfairly imposed on New York employees who supported unionization and ordered the company to reinstate several employees, and to post notices informing employees of their rights to organization. The NLRB agreed with the New York judge on three of the four appealed decisions, but sided with Starbucks in the case of one employee, let go in October 2006, and said she should not have her job reinstated. Union members call the NLRB decision "a great victory," while Starbucks says that, although they are happy with the one decision that went their way, they are considering a second appeal for the others. Click the link above to see the article "Starbucks loses three of four items it appealed to National Labor Relations Board", by Melissa Allison, The Seattle Times. (JKW) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EDT http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSN042657620091104 Peruvian copper mining may be in for a walkout 2009-11-04 00:00:00.0 7494 Unionized employees at one of Peru's largest copper pits said Wednesday that 'talks have reached an impasse' and a strike in the near future is a definite possibility. The employees have been working without a contract since July of this year. Although Antamina copper pit has had a history of difficult labor negotiations, there has never been a strike over contract talks at the mine. Nevertheless, the union says "it is prepared" if a strike must go on. Talks, which are a joint endeavor between the union and four companies which use copper from the Antamina pit, are scheduled to resume on Monday, after which the union will decide whether or not a strike is necessary. Click the link above to see the article "Union may strike at Peru's Antamina copper pit", by Patricia Velez, Reuters, Reuters. (JKW) Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EDT http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE5A21QE20091103?sp=true Royal Mail under new fire from union 2009-11-03 00:00:00.0 7490 As strikes continue at Britain's Royal Mail postal service, the Communications Workers Union (CWU) has said that it will take the company to High Court this Friday, for having violated employment law by hiring casual workers. The CWU says that Royal Mail usually hires around 15,000 casual workers in the run-up to the Christmas Holidays, but that this year they double the numbers of casual workers hired specifically to break the strike. Royal Mail maintains that it is totally within its rights. Strikes have been on-going for several weeks over issues of compensation and modernization, and two more 24-hour strikes are planned for Friday and Monday, involving all 21,000 nationwide CWU members. Click the link above to see the article "Postal Union goes to court over casual workers", by Stefano Ambrogi, Reuters, Reuters. (JKW) Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EDT http://blog.seattlepi.com/jetcheck/archives/183963.asp?from=blog_last3 Southwest pilots ratify new agreement 2009-11-03 00:00:00.0 7491 After rejecting the new contract put forth this summer, 5,900 pilots at Southwest Airlines, represented by the Southwest Airline's Pilots Association (SWAPA) have approved a new five-year agreement. The contract includes a pay increase, an 401K increase, and changes in scheduling. The contract also allows for only 4% codeshare by pilots, which they feel increases their job security. The original contract allowed 10%. Union spokespeople expressed satisfaction with the agreement, though they also claimed to be 'looking forward to' a chance to renegotiate compensation in 2011. The contract ratification comes at a crucial time, as Southwest agreed on terms with almost all other employee divisions earlier this year. Click the link above to see the article "Southwest pilots approve five-year contract", by Jonathan Heckman, Seattle Post Intelligencer. (JKW) Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EDT http://www.freep.com/article/20091102/NEWS06/911020354/1318/Medical-pot-creates-workplace-dilemma-for-many-employers Marijuana reform stirs up controversy in the workplace 2009-11-02 00:00:00.0 7487 Medical marijuana has been making waves in Michigan lately, as the state waits to see what kind of responses the new legislation will elicit. The state is one of thirteen to allow use of medical marijuana for pain relief in chronically or terminally ill patients. In other states, the law has proven to be a sticky subject with employers. Lawsuits from employees who were fired for testing positive on a drug test have all gone in favor of the employers thus far. There have not been any such suits in Michigan as of yet, but many experts expect there will be. Employers say they are confused by Michigan marijuana laws, which do not clearly specify if, and when, medical marijuana users are protected from disciplinary action. Click the link above to see the article "Medical pot creates workplace dilemma", by Kathleen Gray, Detroit Free Press. (JKW) Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EDT http://sacramento.bizjournals.com/sacramento/stories/2009/11/02/daily20.html Collective bargaining in the time of swine flu 2009-11-02 00:00:00.0 7488 The California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, the largest nurses union in the US, reached a deal Friday with 28 California hospitals and 2 Nevada ones, averting the (unlikely) possibility of a swine-flu-era strike. The contract, which still needs to be ratified by members, covers about 12,000 nurses and includes a 20% raise over four years. The contract also includes a groundbreaking collaborative effort for dealing with pandemic diseases, such as swine flu. The CNA and the Catholic Healthcare West system will together create and maintain an emergency task force dedicated to set statewide standards, monitor preparedness, and oversee technology, training, and communication. A union spokesman called the agreement "unique and unparalleled." Click the link above to see the article "CHW makes tentative deal with nurses union", by Kathy Robertson, Bizjounals.com. (JKW) Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EDT http://www.reuters.com/article/AIRLIN/idUSN0245999420091102?sp=true Labor agency proposes unprecedented change for airlines 2009-11-02 00:00:00.0 7489 The United States National Mediation Board (NMB) proposed Monday that procedures for elections at US airlines be revised, making it easier for employees to organize and harder for employees to intimidate them. The proposal suggests that union organization be authorized if a majority of those who vote are in favor, instead of a majority of the entire payroll. It means that company strategies for keeping people from voting would have less of an effect, and that employees opposed to unionization would actually have to vote for their opinion. One of the three NMB members remains opposed to the change, saying it would be unprecedented and perhaps even outside of their authority. The proposal now faces a 60-day comment period before it begins ratification procedures. Click the link above to see the article "US agency proposes change for airline union votes", by Karen Jacobs, Reuters, Reuters. (JKW) Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EDT http://stlouis.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2009/10/26/daily60.html Fatal accidents up when the economy is down 2009-10-30 00:00:00.0 7485 The state of Missouri generally averages nine workplace deaths per month, but the most recently-released report says that 15 deaths were recorded in September of this year, including fatalities in construction, transportation, utilities, and retail. In response, Missouri Labor Director Larry Webman has gone on a state tour to discuss safety measures and workplace awareness with actual workers. Rebman visited Bee Seen Signs in Jefferson City Thursday, and Edge Manufacturing in Pevely on Friday. In his talks, Rebman reiterated that workplace safety help is available online for free via his department's website. He also stressed the necessity of keeping the pace down, as fatalities tend to increase when significant numbers of employees are laid off. Click the link above to see the article "Workplace deaths jump in Missouri", by Kelsey Volkmann, Bizjounals.com. (JKW) Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EDT http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20091030-713639.html British big gun assigned record-breaking fees 2009-10-30 00:00:00.0 7486 The US Department of Labor fined BP (British Petroleum) a record-breaking $87 million yesterday for failure to fix safety problems brought out during the horrific 1995 explosion in Texas City, Texas. While workplace safety agency OSHA does not have the authority to shut down the plant completely, they can and do ensure progress is made on new safety regulations. They do have the power to pursue a court injuction, as well as the power to issue a court injunction The union has said that, although they do not agree with the company's thoughts, but intends to work side-by-side toward a solution if necessary. BP has also recently paid fines for its violations of the Clean Air Act. The company has been given 15 days t respond to the OSHA complaint. Click the link above to see the article "Labor Dept: BP has 15 days to respond to citations", by Susan Daker & James Herron, The Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones newswires. (JKW)