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UE Political Action Updates

Janus v. AFSCME: Supreme Court to decide if the financial impact of public sector collective bargaining is political speech

19 April, 2018
By UE General Counsel Irene Thomas, Esq.

UE General Counsel Irene Thomas attended the February 26 arguments of Janus v. AFSCME at the U.S. Supreme Court.

On February 26, 2018, the long-awaited face-off between the American Labor Movement and the national right-to-work committee took place at the United States Supreme Court. The case: Janus v. AFSCME. At issue is whether public employee unions can collect “fair share” or “agency shop” fees from objecting non-members to defray the cost of collective bargaining, contract administration and grievance adjustment.  Regardless of whether the issue is one of free speech or freedom of association, a principled application of Supreme Court precedent means that plaintiff Mark Janus should pay up for the benefits he takes home on the backs of his dues-paying co-workers.

Defend Lula

16 April, 2018
Pittsburgh

The “conviction” and jailing of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, leader of the Brazilian labor movement and Workers Party candidate for President in the upcoming election this fall, is a travesty and crime against the people of Brazil and working people around the world. Lula, who served as President of Brazil from 2004-2012, has been jailed by a right-wing, anti-worker government without evidence or proof.

UE President Urges Mexican Senate to Withdraw Anti-Labor Bill

12 April, 2018
Pittsburgh

UE General President Peter Knowlton sent the following letter today to the president of the Mexican Senate, Ernesto Cordero, asking him to withdraw a bill that would make it harder for Mexican workers to organize independent trade unions. Improving wages and labor standards of Mexican workers is crucial to a North American Free Trade Agreement that improves the lives of working people in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

Inequality in America: An Interview with Professor Gordon Lafer

16 March, 2018

The UE News spoke this week with Professor Gordon Lafer of the University of Oregon’s Labor Education and Research Center about rising inequality in America, shortly before he joined Senator Bernie Sanders, filmmaker Michael Moore and Senator Elizabeth Warren for a National Town Hall Meeting on Monday, March 19th. Watch the video on Facebook here.

UE General Executive Board: "Workers Need an Industrial Policy Not Tariffs"

12 March, 2018
Chicago

What American workers need is not partial half-measures, but a trade and industrial policy that is based on international cooperation, respect for workers’ rights, and environmental sustainability — one that raises living standards for workers across industries and across borders through investment in infrastructure, jobs and social programs.

Local 203, 255 Members Tell Vermont State Senate: Raise the Wage!

06 February, 2018
Montpelier, VT

Members of UE Locals 203 and 255 joined Vermonters from around the state on January 25 to tell the Senate Economic Development, Housing & General Affairs Committee to raise the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour.

UE members and others told the senators that legislation that would boost the state's minimum wage to $15 an hour over several years will improve their lives, and the lives of their co-workers, neighbors, families, and communities.

President Trump’s Jerusalem Decision is Reckless and Wrong

09 December, 2017
Pittsburgh
Statement of UE Officers

President Trump’s decision this week to have the United States recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and relocate the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv is an affront to all peace-loving people.

It will only inflame tensions in the Middle East, leading to more violence. It will bring further oppression of the Palestinian people. It will bring neither peace nor security for the people of Israel.

Replace NAFTA National Day of Action

07 December, 2017

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) helped corporations outsource one million good jobs from the U.S.

The terms of this massive corporate power grab are now being renegotiated, with talks happening right now in Washington, D.C.

This could finally be our chance to replace NAFTA and end its damage — but the negotiations are happening behind closed doors with 500 corporate advisors granted special access and the public locked out.

Local 150 Helps Elect Pro-Worker Candidates in North Carolina

30 November, 2017
North Carolina

Among the wave of progressive, pro-worker candidates elected in local elections on November 7th were several strong supporters of UE Local 150. Local 150 members in four North Carolina cities — Greensboro, Charlotte, Durham and Raleigh — hosted candidate forums, talked with their co-workers, met with candidates and participated in election turn-out work. All four cities saw their city government shift in a more worker-friendly direction.

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