Labor and Workforce

Position

News

• Asian Migrant Workers See Exploitation in Sweden
  Sep 8, 2010 — New York Times
  Their pigments can be used for coloring cosmetics, pharmaceutical syrups and nutritional supplements.In Sweden and Finland, over 30,000 tons are gathered each season, according to Polarica, the largest producer there. In Finland, migrant Ukrainians have found themselves in a similarly precarious situation in recent years.Officially, there are about 4,000 Asian workers in Sweden with permits this year. Kommunal has deals with about 15 or 20 major companies, but Mr.
• Immigration Crackdown Steps Into the Kitchen
  Sep 8, 2010 — New York Times
  Malecot then started paying those employees in cash, before Mr. Malecot said. “I came here with nothing. Malecot said, he has lost at least $500,000 in catering jobs.
• EDITORIAL
  Sep 7, 2010 — Star Tribune
  In theory the solidarity of human interests is fully recognized; no one element of the population can exist prosperously unless each of the others is enjoying a full return for its labors. Obviously, in serving the national interest they have also promoted their own. On the one hand it confronts the fact that 10 million wage earners in the United States are sill unemployed, and that the figure has remained substantially unchanged for the last two years.
• Frank conversation can set limits on college spending
  Sep 7, 2010 — The Sacramento Bee
  Maybe: College students and credit cards have long been a hot topic. They're like a credit card, but you can't overdraft or spend beyond your limit. Check on fees for transferring funds online to your student.8. Overdraft protection.
• One year later
  Sep 7, 2010 — The Seattle Times
  This summer, she's been working part-time caring for pets and teaching yoga at a studio in Renton. It's scary." There's something romantic about Maki's yearning for an American Dream that seems more and more out of reach. The nation's top 500 nonfinancial companies have stashed away a staggering $1.8 trillion to cushion themselves since the financial meltdown began, according to the Fed.
• Ramped-up curb work wreaks havoc
  Sep 7, 2010 — The Morning Call
  The state also directed municipalities to replace ramps along their roads as they tackle road resurfacing projects. A tripping hazard between the sidewalk and curb at Green and Walnut streets was created by a drain that made it difficult to work around and still meet state design standards. But the borough also would have to improve ADA ramps at a cost of about $49,000.
• The State Worker
  Sep 7, 2010 — The Sacramento Bee
  Arnold Schwarzenegger on July 1 issued minimum wage instructions to the state controller, saying that state law demands it. Most workers have gone two years or more without a contract. Many haven't seen a raise in a much longer time. Those on the lower rungs of the state wage scale are tapped out.
• BRIEF
  Sep 6, 2010 — The Hartford Courant
  Labor Day weekend, was intended to emphasize the rights of workers to be paid for jobs performed, including overtime pay and workers' compensation, Gov. M. Jodi Rell said. "Each and every employee should receive the wages they rightfully earn," Rell said. The $7 million includes $3.2 million in unpaid wages; $1.9 million recovered by enforcing prevailing wage laws; $1.8 million in overtime pay or the minimum wage; and $150,000 in back pay owed to service workers hired by private...
• If you're seriously ill, know your rights as an employee
  Sep 6, 2010 — Sun Sentinel
  Marcia Heroux Pounds Sep. 6, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Kara Jorud was ill with breast cancer. It has to be illness, injury, impairment, or physical or mental condition that involves care at a hospital or other medical office. Awards under ADA are limited to $300,000.
• Report paints bleak labor numbers for Wisconsin
  Sep 6, 2010 — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
  Adjusted for inflation, the wage was less than $1 per hour higher than it was in 1979. Women in 2009 earned 19% less than men. There are too many people continuing to struggle in this economy. I'm the only candidate who has a real record working with the private sector to create jobs." The report's authors recommend several steps to improve the job situation.