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From Margaritaville, with Love

February 25, 2016

The Jimmy Buffett musical does not have a title yet, but it’s got a plot and dates for a world-premiere production. The show, whose main character is drawn from one of the Local 257 (Nashville, TN) member’s many novels (A Salty Piece of Land), will begin previews at San Diego’s La Jolla Playhouse in spring of 2017.

AFL-CIO President’s Message to Senate Republicans: Do Your Job

February 24, 2016

As President Obama prepares to nominate a new Supreme Court justice to fill the vacancy left by Justice Antonin Scalia’s passing, Republicans have vowed to block the nomination—even though they are constitutionally obligated to vote on the President’s appointment.

AFL-CIO President Demands End to Deportations

February 15, 2016

At a worker center in Pasadena, California, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka joined the Los Angeles Labor Federation of Labor President, Pasadena City Mayor, and California State Labor Commissioner to oppose the ongoing deportations of immigrants.

Is Wall Street Afraid of Sanders?

February 11, 2016

Wall Street is in a panic at the thought of a President Bernie Sanders, claims Stephen Schwarzman of the private equity firm Blackstone. In an article in the Wall Street Journal he blamed recent global financial trauma on the “market’s fear” that Sanders could be elected.

Tesoro to Pay Bonuses to Refinery Workers

February 11, 2016

Independent US West Coast refiner Tesoro Corp has agreed to pay $8.08 million to 769 United Steelworkers union members in California and Washington State who were denied bonuses while on strike in 2015, the US National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) reported.

Musicians Union Applauds Introduction of the ARTS Act

February 10, 2016

The AFM applauded the introduction of federal legislation to streamline the visa process for musicians and other artists traveling to the US.

Master New Music Skills Twice as Fast

February 10, 2016

New research shows that the key to learning a new motor skill, like a new instrument or playing technique, is not how many hours you spend practicing, but the way you practice. By subtly varying training, you can keep your brain active throughout the learning process and can halve the time it takes to get up to scratch.

Record Number of Workers Identified as Contractors

February 10, 2016

For the second year in a row, the Louisiana Workforce Commission identified a record 19,956 workers that employers misclassified as independent contractors in 2015. The agency also found employers had more than $50 million in unreported taxable wages and about $1.5 million in unreported and unpaid unemployment insurance taxes.

Lawsuits Claim Disney Colluded to Replace US Workers

February 9, 2016

Before being laid off from Walt Disney World, Orlando, one year ago, Leo Perrero spent months training a temporary immigrant from India to do his technology job.

Canadian Unions Celebrate Repeal of Bills C-377 and C-525

February 1, 2016

Canadian Unions Celebrate Repeal of Bills C-377 and C-525 — The bills forced redundant and unreasonable financial reporting on unions, making it more difficult for Canadians in federally-regulated workplaces to join a unions.