Today's Teamster News 11.17.13

<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/16/world/europe/youth-unemployement-in-europe.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0" rel="nofollow">Young and Educated in Europe, but Desperate for Jobs</a>  New York Times   ...Five years after the economic crisis struck the Continent, youth unemployment has climbed to staggering levels in many countries: in September, 56 percent in Spain for those 24 and younger, 57 percent in Greece, 40 percent in Italy, 37 percent in Portugal and 28 percent in Ireland. For people 25 to 30, the rates are half to two-thirds as high and rising...<br /><a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/matthewzeitlin/americas-student-debt-balance-is-growing-and-less-of-it-is-g" rel="nofollow">America’s Student Debt Balance Is Growing And Less Of It Is Getting Paid Back</a>  Buzzfeed   ...Now it’s over $1 trillion, bigger than credit card debt...<br /><a href="http://www.zerohedge.com/contributed/2013-11-15/mass-surveillance-destroying-american-economy" rel="nofollow">Security Expert: “Buy American Doesn’t Sell Well Anymore Because It Means Give A Copy To The NSA”</a>  zero hedge   ...We’ve previously noted that mass surveillance is killing American tech companies. And Cisco just blamed its earnings slump on China’s disdain for NSA spying...<br /><a href="http://www.msnbc.com/all/harsher-cuts-are-their-way" rel="nofollow">Harsher cuts are on their way</a>  MSNBC   ...Unless Congress reverses the cuts, defense discretionary spending will be cut by an estimated $19 billion in 2014 and non-defense spending will be cut $12 billion more...<br /><a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/blogs/taibblog/chases-twitter-gambit-devolves-into-all-time-pr-fiasco-20131115" rel="nofollow">Chase's Twitter Gambit Devolves into All-Time PR Fiasco</a>  Rolling Stone   ...I almost couldn't believe it when I heard that JP Morgan Chase was going to do a live Twitter Q&A with the public – you know, all those people around the world they've been bending over and robbing for, oh, the last decade or so...<br /><a href="http://www.cnbc.com/id/101193946" rel="nofollow">Feds expand hunt for offshore tax evaders</a>  CNBC   ...Federal judges approved special summonses aimed at getting account data and identifying information of American banking clients of Switzerland's Zurcher Kantonalbank and Bermuda-based N.T. Butterfield & Son, prosecutors said Tuesday...<br /><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/12/us-usa-bank-fatca-idUSBRE9AB18K20131112" rel="nofollow">Bankers' lawsuit jeopardizes U.S. tax dodger crackdown: lawyers</a>  Reuters   ...A court challenge by Texas and Florida bankers threatens to undermine a broad U.S. government crackdown on offshore tax avoidance and jeopardize a web of carefully crafted international agreements, tax lawyers said...<br /><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/16/elizabeth-warren-2016-race-white-house" rel="nofollow">Elizabeth Warren: quiet revolutionary who could challenge Hillary Clinton in Democrats' 2016 race</a>  The Guardian   ...Senator's tough stance against Wall Street is attracting voters on the left who are disenchanted with the party establishment...<br /><a href="http://inthesetimes.com/working/entry/15876/anti_union_forces_mobilizing_at_chattanoogas_volkswagen_plant/" rel="nofollow">Volkswagen Isn’t Fighting Unionization—But Leaked Docs Show Right-Wing Groups Are</a>  In These Times   ...Mike Elk reports that while the company promised not to oppose the United Auto Workers attempts to organize their Chattanooga, TN plant, outside groups disagree with that decision. They're pumping hundreds of thousands of dollars into anti-union campaigns...<br /><a href="http://ctj.org/ctjreports/2013/11/boeing_recipient_of_the_largest_state_tax_subsidy_in_history_paid_nothing_in_state_corporate_income.php#.UoiulmTF36l" rel="nofollow">Boeing, Recipient of the Largest State Tax Subsidy in History, Paid Nothing in State Corporate Income Taxes Over the Past Decade</a>  Citizens for Tax Justice   ...Over the past decade, Boeing has managed to avoid paying even a dime of state income taxes nationwide on $35 billion in pretax U.S. profits...<br /><a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/matthewzeitlin/the-sports-business-cant-take-any-more-money-from-its-fans" rel="nofollow">The Sports Business Can’t Take Any More Money From Its Fans</a>  Buzzfeed   ...The industry’s growth now mostly involves extracting billions from television networks and advertising. Ticket sales and merchandising growth are slowing...<br /><a href="http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304799404579155953286552832?tesla=y" rel="nofollow">Wisconsin Political Speech Raid</a>  Wall Street Journal   ...In recent weeks, special prosecutor Francis Schmitz has hit dozens of conservative groups with subpoenas demanding documents related to the 2011 and 2012 campaigns to recall Governor Walker and state legislative leaders...<br /><a href="http://stinktanks.org/ohio/" rel="nofollow">Something stinks in Ohio</a>  Center for Media and Democracy   ...The Buckeye Institute is largely funded by right-wing out-of-state foundations, and does not disclose its donors to the public despite its influence in shaping public policy in Ohio...<br /><a href="http://bigstory.ap.org/article/seattle-elects-socialist-city-council" rel="nofollow">Seattle elects Socialist candidate to city council </a> Associated Press   ...She backed efforts to raise the minimum wage to $15; called for rent control in the city where rental prices keep climbing; and supports a tax on millionaires to help fund a public transit system and other services...<br /><div><br /></div>

corporate tax evasion Elizabeth Warren european austerity Jobs JPMorgan scott walker Seattle Sequestration spying stink tanks Today's Teamster News 11.17.13

Young and Educated in Europe, but Desperate for Jobs  New York Times   ...Five years after the economic crisis struck the Continent, youth unemployment has climbed to staggering levels in many countries: in September, 56 percent in Spain for those 24…

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EXTREME WEATHER: Windstorm In Seattle Rocks Floating Bridge - Knocks Out Power To 135,000 And Hurts Two!

<div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: yellow;">November 04, 2013 - UNITED STATES </span></b>- More than 135,000 people were without power, two were injured and motorists abandoned their cars on a floating bridge Saturday as a fast-moving windstorm swept the Seattle area, officials said.<br /><br />Puget Sound Energy, which serves counties around Seattle, told NBC News that 95,000 customers were without electricity in the afternoon. The storm knocked down several distribution lines early Saturday.<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XRjt5FeB-Xc/UngOw4e4YdI/AAAAAAABM7w/ierAyIzW5TQ/s1600/seattlewindstorm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XRjt5FeB-Xc/UngOw4e4YdI/AAAAAAABM7w/ierAyIzW5TQ/s1600/seattlewindstorm.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Windblown waves coming in off Puget Sound close to high tide batter waterfront homes in<br />Seattle's West Seattle neighborhood on Saturday.<b>  </b>Elaine Thompson / AP</td></tr></tbody></table><br />"We expect the situation to worsen in the next few hours," Ray Lane of Puget's communications department said.<br /><br />Gusts in Seattle and the region around it hit 60 mph or more. <br /><br />The Washington State Department of Transportation closed the State Route 520 floating bridge across Lake Washington for two hours because of high winds and large waves.<br /><br />Troopers said as many as 50 cars were abandoned on the westbound lanes of the bridge. Troopers on foot escorted the people back to their vehicles.<br /><br />A 48-year-old man was seriously injured when a tree fell on his car and a 2-year-old was hurt when a branch broke from a tree and hit her near the University of Washington, <a href="http://www.king5.com/news/local/Windstorm-causes-downed-trees-power-outages-230345401.html">NBC station KING 5 of Seattle reported</a>.<br /><br />Seattle City Light, another main energy distributor, said that 40,000 customers suffered power failures in its service territory within Seattle and suburbs around it.<br /><br />As the storm moves through the area, elevations above 2,500 feet were expected to get between 6 and 11 inches of snow in a 12-hour period.<br /><br />The National Weather Service issued a wind warning for much of Saturday covering coastal areas in Washington and Oregon. - <a href="http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/11/02/21289798-windstorm-in-seattle-rocks-floating-bridge-hurts-two-knocks-out-power-to-135000"><span style="color: orange;"><b>NBC News</b></span></a>.<br /><br /><br /></div>

Earth Changes Electricity Floating Bridge Gusts High Tide High Winds Lake Washington Large Waves Oregon Power Outage Puget Sound Seattle Snowfall Storm Washington Windstorm EXTREME WEATHER: Windstorm In Seattle Rocks Floating Bridge - Knocks Out Power To 135,000 And Hurts Two!

November 04, 2013 - UNITED STATES - More than 135,000 people were without power, two were injured and motorists abandoned their cars on a floating bridge Saturday as a fast-moving windstorm swept the Seattle area, officials said.Puget Sound Energy,…

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Teamster organizing victory in Washington!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSRA73viHAt9YFFQft77YntHHIokZyEVURpyv74TY2uMeBcRq0T-I4QWYLyiUYTyr4eO1AdPqNX17VABlEQJmGXfjaiCNz5Qjhb2mhW3lIPKjB6t3wKjE75KqhWBbrFsY6ahm0ocY92ZX/s1600/victory.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSRA73viHAt9YFFQft77YntHHIokZyEVURpyv74TY2uMeBcRq0T-I4QWYLyiUYTyr4eO1AdPqNX17VABlEQJmGXfjaiCNz5Qjhb2mhW3lIPKjB6t3wKjE75KqhWBbrFsY6ahm0ocY92ZX/s200/victory.jpeg" width="133" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Please welcome our 160 new brothers and sisters who shuttle rental cars for GCA Services Group at the <a href="http://www.portseattle.org/Sea-Tac/Pages/default.aspx">Seattle-Tacoma International Airport</a>. They voted 91-44 on Monday to join <a href="http://www.teamsters117.org/" rel="nofollow">Teamsters Local 117</a> in Tukwila, Wash.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The rental car workers have been organizing for over six months to become Teamsters and win respect from management. Leonard Smith, organizing director at Local 117, says the victory will inspire other low-wage non-union workers at the airport:</span></div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This victory is an exciting step forward for all workers at the Seattle Airport. It’s an example of how working together and sticking together truly pays off. By uniting for respect and dignity, the workers are showing other employees at the airport that they can come together and fight to improve their lives.</span></blockquote><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Smith says that many workers at the airport are employed by companies like GCA, which is a contractor for Avis. These workers lack job security and are paid minimum wage. The GCA workers are setting an example for other Seattle airport workers by standing up for higher wages, benefits and paid sick days.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In its <a href="http://www.teamster.org/content/rental-car-workers-seattle-airport-join-teamsters-local-117" rel="nofollow">press release</a> on the victory, Local 117 explained that the GCA campaign is connected to the broader movement to secure higher pay for low-wage workers:</span></div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The campaign for Teamster representation at GCA – which included help from organizers at Teamsters Local 174, SEIU and Working Washington – is part of an ongoing coalition effort among local unions and community groups organizing to win better working conditions for employees at the Seattle Airport. </span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The coalition has been working to organize non-union airport workers employed by contractors like GCA and others. In conjunction with other national campaigns to demand higher pay for low-wage workers, the coalition is pushing a ballot initiative in SeaTac, Wash., to raise the hourly minimum wage to $15.</span></blockquote><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tracey Thompson, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 117, says the organizing win sets the stage for pushing up standards for other workers at the airport:</span></span></div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We are pleased to welcome these hardworking and dedicated workers who are so vital to the rental car operations of GCA. We look forward to representing them and helping them win a first contract that sets higher standards for them and other workers at the airport.</span></blockquote><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The GCA workers in Seattle join hundreds of other rental car workers at Hertz, Avis and Budget who also belong to Local 117.<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"></div>

Avis Local 117 low wage workers organizing victory Seattle Teamster organizing victory in Washington!

Please welcome our 160 new brothers and sisters who shuttle rental cars for GCA Services Group at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. They voted 91-44 on Monday to join Teamsters Local 117 in Tukwila, Wash.The rental car workers have been organ…

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