U.S, labor union membership continued to decline in 2006, and fell by 326,000 in the last year. Major reasons onclude union busting activity by employers and factory closings by employers to export the jobs to labor cheap nations.
Among public sector workers, there is a 36.2% union membership rate, which includes many benefits such as a credit union, good retirement, job protection and health care benefits. But among private sector workers only a mere 7.4% are union represented. These workers may face unfair job terminations or low wages or unsafe working conditions, including fear of voicing critical views about unsafe working conditions to the management.
Businesses employ a number of dirty tactics and threats to prevent union growth including:
A statistic that 30% will fire any pro-union workers despite good job performance.
49% of employers even threaten to close a worksite if becomes unionized, but in reality only a mere 2% actually follow through on this threat.
51% of employers will use some form bribbery or favortism to prevent workers from forming a union.
A high 81% of businesses employ expensive union-busting organizations to stomp out any union organizing efforts.
91% of businesses organize antiunion propaganda meeting events. and spread lies to keep workers living in poverty and away from safer working conditions, healthcare plans, retirement benefits or better pay.
Union membership continues to shrink in this unfair and one-sided system that seeks to keep the working class enslaved to the wealthy class who own the means of production and make themselves billionaires in a system in which working people are mere pawns in their greedy search for more and more wealth. Oil companies record profits of $75,000 a minute and drug company executives earn $200 million dollar retirement benefits while working people struggle since 1996 for even a small minimum wage increase to keep up with the inflation of energy prices, rent, food and health care.
Sabtu, 03 Februari 2007
Chinese President Hu Jintao Attempts To Secure Peace In Sudan And Raw Materials For Growing Chinese Economy On African Visit
China's President, Hu Jintao, urged Sudan to accept UN peacekeeping efforts and even offered the government new schools and a new presidential palace, along with $70 million in debt forgiveness if only they will allow more UN peacekeeping efforts and resolve the serious Darfur situation. This has to be one of the best inducements towards peace in Sudan yet made, and the government of Sudan would be wise to fully consider this generous offer.
Chinese President Hu Jintao is in Zambia today, and will make visits to Cameroon, Liberia, Namibia, South Africa, Mozambique and Seychelles as well. China is making important trade deals in Africa to supply both the oil and raw materials required to help further China's huge economic growth rate, roughly three time that of the U.S. economy growth. But these trade deals are having huge local impacts in Africa, resulting in more peace and jobs in the region. China is also offering debt forgiveness and other favors to these nations, helping their struggling developing world economies to slowly grow.
China enjoys their recent new role in the world, being viewed a major world state and economy, and it has helped to transform the nation into a role of major peacemaker and constructive world community member. China also contributes peacekeepers to several of the current 15 UN peacekeeping missions in the world, including dangereous lebanon, and has helped in the reconstruction efforts in Iraq as well.
Chinese President Hu Jintao is in Zambia today, and will make visits to Cameroon, Liberia, Namibia, South Africa, Mozambique and Seychelles as well. China is making important trade deals in Africa to supply both the oil and raw materials required to help further China's huge economic growth rate, roughly three time that of the U.S. economy growth. But these trade deals are having huge local impacts in Africa, resulting in more peace and jobs in the region. China is also offering debt forgiveness and other favors to these nations, helping their struggling developing world economies to slowly grow.
China enjoys their recent new role in the world, being viewed a major world state and economy, and it has helped to transform the nation into a role of major peacemaker and constructive world community member. China also contributes peacekeepers to several of the current 15 UN peacekeeping missions in the world, including dangereous lebanon, and has helped in the reconstruction efforts in Iraq as well.
Kevin Federline Just Can't Catch A Break
Late night comics merely mention his name, and the laughter usually starts before a joke has even been made. Now Kevin Federline, has a new laughable controversy, as pizza and fast food workers consider his mere presence in a Nationwide Insurance Company ad set to air during the Superbowl tomorrow demeaning to their profession. It is a sign of just how low the former husband of Britney Spears, and laughably bad White rapper, K-Fed, has sunk in the public's view.
Only last month, another pizza worker from Missouri was arrested for holding two boys hostage in his apartment, and yet this horrible crime didn't cause hardly an eyeblink of disgrace to the workers at most pizza businesses. But Kevin Federline is considered such an awful personality, his presense in the Nationwide ad has drawn anger only a little less so than the anger of those in Islam at a cartoon they once considered to be demeaning.
Kevin Federline has issued a public apology for the Nationwide ad, which probably may still air anyway. And now Taco Bell has issued Kevin Federline a challenge to work one hour at a Taco Bell restaurant, although some in the public may wonder if that's about one more hour than kevin Federline has ever worked in his entire life. Kevin Federline even appeared on an episode of 1 vs. 100 recently, no doubt making a few wonder if he was sleeping there as well. At any rate, this poor guy just can't seem to catch a break, and has become a favorite public joke, making any serious attempts to get his career back on track very difficult.
Only last month, another pizza worker from Missouri was arrested for holding two boys hostage in his apartment, and yet this horrible crime didn't cause hardly an eyeblink of disgrace to the workers at most pizza businesses. But Kevin Federline is considered such an awful personality, his presense in the Nationwide ad has drawn anger only a little less so than the anger of those in Islam at a cartoon they once considered to be demeaning.
Kevin Federline has issued a public apology for the Nationwide ad, which probably may still air anyway. And now Taco Bell has issued Kevin Federline a challenge to work one hour at a Taco Bell restaurant, although some in the public may wonder if that's about one more hour than kevin Federline has ever worked in his entire life. Kevin Federline even appeared on an episode of 1 vs. 100 recently, no doubt making a few wonder if he was sleeping there as well. At any rate, this poor guy just can't seem to catch a break, and has become a favorite public joke, making any serious attempts to get his career back on track very difficult.
Conan O'Brien Will Produce New Andy Richter Comedy
Conan O'Brien and his former late night talk show sidekick and friend, Andy Richter will team up for a new comedy series that will replace 30 ROCK for a few weeks starting in March. The series will be a comedy detective series, possiby even delighting fans of MONK, entitled ANDY BARKER:PI.
Richter actually plays a strip mall CPA who is mistaken for a famous private investigator, and begins to investigate cases for clients. His wife is a little suspicious of this new profession, but offers some cautious support.
With the success of MONK, there may well be room on the network TV schedule for a weekly comedy mystery show. Whether interesting and funny cases can be written and concluded in a 30 minite time limit will be some challenge compared to the normal hour long time for TV mystery dramas. But Conan O'Brien and Andy Richter are both highly skilled personalities, and they may have good instincts this time around to make a hit of this midseason replacement series.
Another midseason replacement, THE BLACK DONNELLYS, is a drama is scheduled to replace STUDIO 60 For a few weeks also beginning in March. In fact, the ratings tend to be sort of soft on both SNL loosely based series, 30 ROCK and STUDIO 60, yet NBC still has faith in both series, and both are scheduled for a return before the year is out. Neither has been cancelled yet, although a rerun of 30 ROCK actually drew only 3.9 million viewers last week; an absolutely horrible number that would normally spell certain cancellation. STUDIO 60 drew a weak 7.2 milion viewers, a huge public rejection considering that the 8PM lead-in, DEAL OR NO DEAL, drew in a fantastic 17.6 million viewers, and the excellent superhero drama, HEROES, drew in another strong 14.9 million viewers at 9PM. Compared to these powerful ratings, much of the NBC viewing public simply does not like STUDIO 60 as much, and many probably turn to CBS for CSI:MIAMI with an outstanding 18.9 million viewers to watch instead.
NBC did plan some cost cutting moves such as less new drama or comedy programs, but has apparently put this new plan on some hold for the midseason launch of two new shows. NBC is expected to offer more cheaply produced programs like reality and game shows to trim network costs next year. NBC is already seeking to recruit persons for another run of the game show IDENTITY, which is likely to return in either the Summer or Fall schedule. Since the return of AMERICAN IDOL on FOX, NBC is stuck back in fourth place with the network ratings again, and even veteran NBC bedrock series such as the LAW & ORDER franchise appear to be weakening in the ratings this year. There is even some talk of reducing costs by replacing some top actors on these series next year to cut costs at NBC. This year saw many cast changes to these shows, and not all of them for the best either.
Richter actually plays a strip mall CPA who is mistaken for a famous private investigator, and begins to investigate cases for clients. His wife is a little suspicious of this new profession, but offers some cautious support.
With the success of MONK, there may well be room on the network TV schedule for a weekly comedy mystery show. Whether interesting and funny cases can be written and concluded in a 30 minite time limit will be some challenge compared to the normal hour long time for TV mystery dramas. But Conan O'Brien and Andy Richter are both highly skilled personalities, and they may have good instincts this time around to make a hit of this midseason replacement series.
Another midseason replacement, THE BLACK DONNELLYS, is a drama is scheduled to replace STUDIO 60 For a few weeks also beginning in March. In fact, the ratings tend to be sort of soft on both SNL loosely based series, 30 ROCK and STUDIO 60, yet NBC still has faith in both series, and both are scheduled for a return before the year is out. Neither has been cancelled yet, although a rerun of 30 ROCK actually drew only 3.9 million viewers last week; an absolutely horrible number that would normally spell certain cancellation. STUDIO 60 drew a weak 7.2 milion viewers, a huge public rejection considering that the 8PM lead-in, DEAL OR NO DEAL, drew in a fantastic 17.6 million viewers, and the excellent superhero drama, HEROES, drew in another strong 14.9 million viewers at 9PM. Compared to these powerful ratings, much of the NBC viewing public simply does not like STUDIO 60 as much, and many probably turn to CBS for CSI:MIAMI with an outstanding 18.9 million viewers to watch instead.
NBC did plan some cost cutting moves such as less new drama or comedy programs, but has apparently put this new plan on some hold for the midseason launch of two new shows. NBC is expected to offer more cheaply produced programs like reality and game shows to trim network costs next year. NBC is already seeking to recruit persons for another run of the game show IDENTITY, which is likely to return in either the Summer or Fall schedule. Since the return of AMERICAN IDOL on FOX, NBC is stuck back in fourth place with the network ratings again, and even veteran NBC bedrock series such as the LAW & ORDER franchise appear to be weakening in the ratings this year. There is even some talk of reducing costs by replacing some top actors on these series next year to cut costs at NBC. This year saw many cast changes to these shows, and not all of them for the best either.
Jumat, 02 Februari 2007
Americans Dipping Into Savings And Using Credit To Survive
This week Bush gave a glowing overblown speecch to Wall Street praising how much money a few corporations in big business are raking in, while new reports prove that average Americans now have negative savings and are dipping into savings or using credit to survive. In the last ten years, the average American household amount of credit debt has steadily increased from around $3,000 to over $9,100.
And while some on Wall Street are becoming very rich, with record oil company revenues that are sometimes equal to $75,000 a minute in profits, another report on American manufacturing proves a decline in January, and signals a possible manufacturing recession and more worker layoffs to come in the coming months.
OPEC is again cutting back on oil production with oil again hovering at the $58 dollar a barrel level, up significantly from the sharp drop from a high of $77 earlier in the year to the low of a little over $50 a barrel only weeks ago. High oil prices and other problems have seemed to permanently damage the last two remaining American automobile manufacturers and left January auto sales at GM down around 16%, down at Ford about 18%, down at German owned Daimler Chrysler about 2%, but Toyota sales are up a healthy 9.1%. With at least three hybrid auto lines as well as many other highly economical and well built automobiles, Toyota has been best able to take good advantage of a perception that American cars are not as economical or well built, although the quality of American built cars continues to improve along with the fuel economy. Many American jobs and the overall health of the middle class depends on the health of the American automobile industry.
About the only saving grace this week was Bush being critical of some excessive CEO salaries. Perhaps some of the $200 million dollar CEO retirement compensation deals are a bit too much for even Bush, our first business MBA president.
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And while some on Wall Street are becoming very rich, with record oil company revenues that are sometimes equal to $75,000 a minute in profits, another report on American manufacturing proves a decline in January, and signals a possible manufacturing recession and more worker layoffs to come in the coming months.
OPEC is again cutting back on oil production with oil again hovering at the $58 dollar a barrel level, up significantly from the sharp drop from a high of $77 earlier in the year to the low of a little over $50 a barrel only weeks ago. High oil prices and other problems have seemed to permanently damage the last two remaining American automobile manufacturers and left January auto sales at GM down around 16%, down at Ford about 18%, down at German owned Daimler Chrysler about 2%, but Toyota sales are up a healthy 9.1%. With at least three hybrid auto lines as well as many other highly economical and well built automobiles, Toyota has been best able to take good advantage of a perception that American cars are not as economical or well built, although the quality of American built cars continues to improve along with the fuel economy. Many American jobs and the overall health of the middle class depends on the health of the American automobile industry.
About the only saving grace this week was Bush being critical of some excessive CEO salaries. Perhaps some of the $200 million dollar CEO retirement compensation deals are a bit too much for even Bush, our first business MBA president.
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General George Casey Miserably Fails; Seeks Job Promotion
When you're a perfectly nice guy, but you miserably fail at managing the Iraq War like General George Casey, then you do the only right thing and seek a job promotion as the next Army Chief Of Staff, which makes no sense at all.
Why someone who failed so miserably in such a critical mission to stabilize Iraq, which will only threaten the entire stability of the MidEast and only encourage Iran to pick the pieces in the region and could even lay the groundwork for WWIII seeks a job advancement upstairs is a good question.
General George Casey is a veteran of three wars including WWII. But perhaps he cannot offer solutions to the the modern forms of warfare that the U.S. has become bogged down in since Korea, Vietnam and Iraq that have ended in stalemates. Casey has proven little ability to understand the challenges of Iraq and simply could achieve success in in this bad policy. But why he should be promotted to a higher position when problems like Iraq and the MidEast are only sure to escalate is a good question that the confirming members of the U.S. Senate must really consider. You cannot confirm someone because they are a nice guy. They have to be able to do the job at hand.
Why someone who failed so miserably in such a critical mission to stabilize Iraq, which will only threaten the entire stability of the MidEast and only encourage Iran to pick the pieces in the region and could even lay the groundwork for WWIII seeks a job advancement upstairs is a good question.
General George Casey is a veteran of three wars including WWII. But perhaps he cannot offer solutions to the the modern forms of warfare that the U.S. has become bogged down in since Korea, Vietnam and Iraq that have ended in stalemates. Casey has proven little ability to understand the challenges of Iraq and simply could achieve success in in this bad policy. But why he should be promotted to a higher position when problems like Iraq and the MidEast are only sure to escalate is a good question that the confirming members of the U.S. Senate must really consider. You cannot confirm someone because they are a nice guy. They have to be able to do the job at hand.
Paul Begalia Believes It Will Be Harder For Hillary Clinton To Win The Democratic Primaries Than The General Election
On this morning's Don Imus show, Paul Begalia offered an interesting opinon. He believes the left wing of the Democratic Party dislike Hillary Clinton so much that it is more difficult for her to win the Democratic primaries than the general election. This may be true. Joe Lieberman(I-CT) lost the Democratic primary in his home state to antiwar millionaire Ned Lamont, but won the general election. Hillary Clinton may have a similiar difficulty.
Hillary Clinton has also been positioning herself well with critical appearances such as at the new veteran's rehabilitation center in San Antonio run by the Phoenix Project. John McCain also made this critical appearance, however Bush, Cheney and other administration officials were all no shows because the sight of them with badly burned and disabled veterans would not make a good White House photo-opt.
So far Hillary Clinton seems to be making the best of critical appearance and photo-opt opportunities and has positioned herself as the candidate to beat of both parties this past week. John McCain has well positioned himself last week as well. Barack Obama and John Edwards photo opts lag behind both, as does that of Rudolph Giuliani. Joe Biden's photo opts have all been nearly bad this week, in his current losing bid for president.
Hillary Clinton has also been positioning herself well with critical appearances such as at the new veteran's rehabilitation center in San Antonio run by the Phoenix Project. John McCain also made this critical appearance, however Bush, Cheney and other administration officials were all no shows because the sight of them with badly burned and disabled veterans would not make a good White House photo-opt.
So far Hillary Clinton seems to be making the best of critical appearance and photo-opt opportunities and has positioned herself as the candidate to beat of both parties this past week. John McCain has well positioned himself last week as well. Barack Obama and John Edwards photo opts lag behind both, as does that of Rudolph Giuliani. Joe Biden's photo opts have all been nearly bad this week, in his current losing bid for president.
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