News for today's 2018

How to talk about low-wage strikers

12:25 PM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5L2PPv97ZzOjT-oVlaJkuSnWBpppQonoVeuuv1gA0ano_Z8YFNownClSnouIWCwqoiOGsi9riwJ0dmgWcVi4FmFz3lh2ITfcxS9O8LgS_JuQTKPlMR1s5OC75kweMd4g9owmA2HklRttN/s1600/strike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5L2PPv97ZzOjT-oVlaJkuSnWBpppQonoVeuuv1gA0ano_Z8YFNownClSnouIWCwqoiOGsi9riwJ0dmgWcVi4FmFz3lh2ITfcxS9O8LgS_JuQTKPlMR1s5OC75kweMd4g9owmA2HklRttN/s1600/strike.jpg" /></a></div>Are you dreading the prospect of talking to your right-wing uncle over the Labor Day weekend? When the subject of low-wage worker strikes comes up, here are things you can say in response to the predictable anti-worker arguments you'll hear: <ul><li>"Those jobs are for high school kids and dropouts working part time. They don't deserve more money."  Actually most people working in low-wage service sectors like retail and fast-food are <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=623664947664226&set=a.591503887546999.1073741828.580610428636345&type=1">middle-age and working full time</a> to support their families. The average age of workers filling low-wage job positions is 35 and more than a third of them are 40 or older. On average, they earn half of their family's income and 28 percent of them have kids.</li></ul><ul><li>"Well then they should get different jobs if they want more money. It's their fault for choosing to work crappy jobs that are supposed to be for teenagers." No, it isn't their fault because most of them didn't choose those jobs. They were forced into them by <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/08/our-low-wage-recovery-how-mcjobs-have-replaced-middle-class-jobs/261839/">an economy being dominated by low-wage industries</a>. By a three-to-one margin, high-skilled, good-paying jobs that have been lost due to recession and bad trade deals have been replaced by low-wage jobs in the service industry. Sixty percent of jobs lost in the recession were in middle-class occupations while 21 percent were in low-wage occupations. Since the recession, 58 percent of job growth has been in low-wage occupations while just 22 percent has been in middle-income level jobs. Do the math!</li></ul><ul><li>"Still, flipping burgers has always been a minimum wage job and that's the way it should be." Okay, but if we're paying workers based on inflation and productivity, then <a href="http://www.raisetheminimumwage.com/facts/">the minimum wage needs to be increased</a>, too. Right now it stands at just $7.25 an hour and hasn't been increased since 2009. If the minimum wage kept up with inflation over the past 40 years, it would be $10.74. And if it kept up with the rise in productivity it would be $18.67. The annual income for a full-time worker making the federal minimum wage is $15,080 - well below the poverty line for a family of three or four.</li></ul><ul><li>"Paying low-wage workers more by increasing the minimum wage or giving them raises will hurt businesses and raise prices." Says who? While the CEOs of Walmart and fast-food corporations would love to pass the cost of higher wages on to consumers, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/29/robert-reich-wages-mcdonalds-walmart-_n_3837762.html">they can well afford to pay their workers more</a>. The top eight fast-food chains made $7.35 billion in profits last year. Walmart's CEO makes more in one hour than the average Walmart employee makes in a year. If the CEO of McDonald's -- who got a $4.1 million raise last year -- can take home $13.8 million a year, he can afford to pay workers more than poverty wages.</li></ul><ul><li>"Well, I'm not a fast-food worker so what they get paid doesn't impact me." Actually it does. The rising number of workers making low wages means more and more people have to turn to public assistance like food stamps and other welfare programs. They can't make ends mean when the only jobs available pay so little. Low wages at <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/31/walmart-taxpayers-house-report_n_3365814.html">a single Walmart store can cost taxpayers up to $900,000 a year</a>. So winning a living wage for workers in retail, fast-food, warehouse and other low-wage industries will save taxpayers tons of money. And let's not forget that higher pay usually means lower employee turnover and higher productivity for business. Plus, higher wages will boost consumer spending and strength local economies.</li></ul>Finally, remind your right-wing relatives that Labor Day is about honoring workers -- ALL workers!

Are you dreading the prospect of talking to your right-wing uncle over the Labor Day weekend? When the subject of low-wage worker strikes comes up, here are things you can say in response to the predictable anti-worker arguments you'll hear:"Those jo…

Fast-food strikes shut down stores, penetrate the South

3:41 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgPK1GRhKEhx0lR2oNa4zAYZ7IDVwirOYeZCpor4FsX7u4GhDqcSlDC24VZqQJBfZkvsne-UrQHY2WE_bLRyho4xylcqW0OROT2yCniPSGvYBysTNQqJDf1CJi8Eau1hvY8TZauyQVtS-/s1600/burger+king.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgPK1GRhKEhx0lR2oNa4zAYZ7IDVwirOYeZCpor4FsX7u4GhDqcSlDC24VZqQJBfZkvsne-UrQHY2WE_bLRyho4xylcqW0OROT2yCniPSGvYBysTNQqJDf1CJi8Eau1hvY8TZauyQVtS-/s320/burger+king.png" width="320" /></a></div>Fast-food workers on strike today continue to make history and they are showing their power in real time. In Raleigh, N.C., <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=623536737677047&set=a.591503887546999.1073741828.580610428636345&type=1">Burger King offered to pay employees double to work today</a>. Tell that to those who doubt the effectiveness of striking, and tell that to those who insist fast-food giants can't afford to pay their workers a living wage. Today's national fast-food workers strike has hit 60 cities around the country. And like so many workers in America, Teamsters know that this fight isn't just about fast-food workers - it's about the dignity of all workers. That's why our brothers and sisters at Local 391 were out today <a href="http://www.digtriad.com/news/photo-gallery.aspx?storyid=296911">supporting the fast-food strikers in Greensboro, N.C</a>. Workers have successfully shut down stories in many parts of the country, <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-us-usa-restaurants-strike-20130828,0,3586222.story">Reuters reports</a>: <blockquote class="tr_bq">The strikes spread quickly across the country and have shut down restaurants in New York, Chicago, Detroit, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Raleigh and Seattle, according to organizers.</blockquote>In Madison, Wisc., almost 60 workers and supporters are outside a Dunkin Donuts chanting "$15 and a union! $7.25 has got to go!" Workers in Madison also shut down a Family Dollar story after walking out today. Here's a sampling of reports on Twitter and Facebook to give you a flavor of what's been happening today: <blockquote class="tr_bq">St. Louis: STL Represent! RT <a href="https://twitter.com/MOJwJ">@MOJwJ</a>: Workers, community leaders just packed this STL <a href="https://twitter.com/McDonalds">@mcdonalds</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23829strike&src=hash">#829strike</a> <a href="http://bit.ly/141YjHt">http://bit.ly/141YjHt </a></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">New York: Fast food workers on strike today at McDonald's near Yankee Stadium in NYC <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23iamfastfood&src=hash">#iamfastfood</a> <a href="http://t.co/4wZu7SJtcO">pic.twitter.com/4wZu7SJtcO</a></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">San Francisco: Workers from 37 East Bay locations (Burger King, McDonald’s, KFC, Wendy’s, Subway, more!) are striking! <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23829strike&src=hash">#829strike</a> <a href="http://t.co/47VsOvZ1B3">pic.twitter.com/47VsOvZ1B3</a></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">Boston: Another elected official out supporting workers on the<a href="https://www.facebook.com/LowPayIsNotOk/posts/623633707667350"> strike lines in Boston</a>! <a href="http://bit.ly/829nationwide" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a></blockquote><div><blockquote class="tr_bq">Indianapolis: RT <a href="https://twitter.com/829StrikeIndy">@829StrikeIndy</a>: Indy on strike! at McDonalds. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23829strike&src=hash">#829strike</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/fightfor15">@fightfor15</a> <a href="http://bit.ly/17llH3p">http://bit.ly/17llH3p </a></blockquote></div><div><blockquote class="tr_bq">Houston: "I'm at work more than I see my children, thats why I'm on strike" Burger King worker Luis Ortiz <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23829strike&src=hash">#829strike</a> <a href="http://t.co/LGRMJawPam">pic.twitter.com/LGRMJawPam</a></blockquote></div><div><blockquote class="tr_bq">New York: Clergy, community and workers will not be moved! View of<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=553240191404308&set=a.435703519824643.99006.430475173680811&type=1"> sit-in at 5th Ave McDonald's in NYC</a> at 6:30am this morning! </blockquote></div> We've also just gotten word that Rep. John Lewis is speaking to Atlanta fast-food workers on strike right now. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnbvHMj32X2IAbJLyzqhkOQq3vk3u64WFlwXrpALtM3NCU4-_RG3pawwxM5xIVEyCv2Ul-3HlDdjtBhhmCRU4L-8FY-YZOl7NF8p7l2MRVSXgRUQIGmp0gDHI0ztZWF8MKwwHZSgVUDsu1/s1600/john+lewis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnbvHMj32X2IAbJLyzqhkOQq3vk3u64WFlwXrpALtM3NCU4-_RG3pawwxM5xIVEyCv2Ul-3HlDdjtBhhmCRU4L-8FY-YZOl7NF8p7l2MRVSXgRUQIGmp0gDHI0ztZWF8MKwwHZSgVUDsu1/s320/john+lewis.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> It's hard to overstate just how significant today's events are for fast-food workers and the overall movement among low-wage workers for better pay and rights on the job. Today's strikes are reaching every corner of the country, including the South. Columbia University political science professor Dorian Warren was quoted saying that the inroads the strike movement is making today in the South is "<a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-us-usa-restaurants-strike-20130828,0,3586222.story">a huge, huge deal</a>": <blockquote class="tr_bq">The South has always been the model for low wage employment, from slavery to the Jim Crow laws, to the present. It's also the most anti-union part of the country, so the fact that workers feel empowered enough to take collective action is enormous.</blockquote><div>The day is far from over for striking fast-food workers who will be protesting into the evening in many cities. We'll soon know more about the full scope and impact of today's strikes. But it's safe to say that the living-wage movement in America has taken a huge step forward with today's walkouts. Way to go, brothers and sisters!  </div>

fast food strikes fight for 15 low wage workers Fast-food strikes shut down stores, penetrate the South

Fast-food workers on strike today continue to make history and they are showing their power in real time.In Raleigh, N.C., Burger King offered to pay employees double to work today. Tell that to those who doubt the effectiveness of striking, and tell…

Fast food strikes continue to sweep the nation

9:44 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQWC79I3-haJV3nBc6jC5uJ7Saf8PRcn0e6mr1zHv6JuammnoM_phyphenhyphenj4ue0X7dGPUVMp_XZDc3rLPSF_7zTueb2BSJM38E-mE5JpuDI4jLa7DGQSgEk7YozSRV_XHOMyI8QkU86fYacJ9/s1600/mcd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQWC79I3-haJV3nBc6jC5uJ7Saf8PRcn0e6mr1zHv6JuammnoM_phyphenhyphenj4ue0X7dGPUVMp_XZDc3rLPSF_7zTueb2BSJM38E-mE5JpuDI4jLa7DGQSgEk7YozSRV_XHOMyI8QkU86fYacJ9/s320/mcd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Today’s national fast-food workers strike is going strong with reports rolling in from more cities joining the protests. Organizers say the walkouts have <a href="http://huff.to/14GOfSH" style="font-family: inherit;">spread to 60 cities</a>: <blockquote class="tr_bq">Alameda, CA; Atlanta; Aurora, CO; Austin, TX; Ballwin, MO; Belleville, Ill; Berkeley, CA; Bloomington, Ill; Boston; Charlotte; Chicago; Columbia, MO; Dallas; Denver; Detroit; Durham; East St. Louis, Ill; Flint; Fremont, CA; Greensboro; Gretna, LA; Hartford; Hayward, CA; Houston; Indianapolis; Kansas City, MO; Lansing; Las Vegas; Los Angeles; Madison, WI; Manchester, CT; Memphis; Milwaukee; Missoula, MT; Newark, CA; New Orleans; New York; Northglenn, CO; North Las Vegas; Oakland; Richmond, CA; Peoria; Phoenix; Pontiac, MI; Raleigh; Richmond, CA; San Diego; San Leandro, CA; San Lorenzo, CA.; Seattle; Springfield, Ill; St. Louis; Tacoma, WA; Tampa; Topeka, KS; Wausau, WI; West Haven, CT; and Wilmington, DE. </blockquote>The workers are not alone. Many Teamsters across the country are standing in solidarity with strikers, including UPS Teamsters in Atlanta this morning. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzA87b3rxTNTqDbjFjn_jpnTuN9IDNrsq4MLt-b9HyM2BLCxTIL1uFBrPEiAIU9Sj0aGTUFUmrR16L3xuvdhl_8iVK8b-bnYAtAhyphenhyphen6ndyTQ6mK-1KRuK-wDnxvGq8BeTWBDlZIkjMHtEjy/s1600/Teamsters+fast+food+strike+solidarity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzA87b3rxTNTqDbjFjn_jpnTuN9IDNrsq4MLt-b9HyM2BLCxTIL1uFBrPEiAIU9Sj0aGTUFUmrR16L3xuvdhl_8iVK8b-bnYAtAhyphenhyphen6ndyTQ6mK-1KRuK-wDnxvGq8BeTWBDlZIkjMHtEjy/s320/Teamsters+fast+food+strike+solidarity.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">UPS Teamster David Allen supporting fast food workers</td></tr></tbody></table>Elected officials are linking arms with fast-food workers on the picket line, too. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LowPayIsNotOk/posts/623545847676136">Rep. Jan Schakowsky joined striking workers</a> in Chicago this morning.<o:p></o:p> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The impact of the strikes is being felt in <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/29/fast-food-worker-strikes-expand_n_3831060.html#34_organizers-protests-spread-to-60-cities">Michigan</a>:<o:p> </o:p></div><blockquote class="tr_bq">It's only 10 a.m. in the Motor City, but striking fast food employees say they've already gained a victory. CBS Radio reports that a McDonald's restaurant located at Eight Mile Road and Lahser closed this morning after workers walked off the job.</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">According to reports on social media, employees at other McDonald's locations and a Church's Chicken in the city, as well as a Checkers restaurant in nearby Lincoln Park, Mich. A spokesman for organizing group D15 told The Huffington Post that fast-food employees are also striking Thursday in Pontiac, Lansing and Flint.</blockquote>A St. Louis activist <a href="http://huff.to/1dThRzH">tweeted</a> this morning: <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><blockquote class="tr_bq">A 2nd location shut down at 7am RT @LowPayIsNotOK Workers shut down this McDonald's in STL </blockquote>New York Times columnist <a href="http://huff.to/1a2gUpr">Steven Greenhouse writes</a> on Twitter:</div><blockquote class="tr_bq">Organizers say fast-food strikes have spread to 60 cities. Here in St Louis, shutdown of a Hardees counter</blockquote>And Tiffany Hsu from the Los Angeles Times <a href="https://twitter.com/tiffhsulatimes/status/373083655674941441/photo/1" style="font-family: inherit;">tweeted</a>:  <blockquote class="tr_bq">#FastFoodStrike - dozens march outside a South LA #BurgerKing at the crack of dawn for $15/hr minimum wage </blockquote>In Chicago, there are reports on Twitter of workers outside the iconic downtown <a href="https://twitter.com/bellwak/status/373067959775670272/photo/1">Rock N' Roll McDonald's</a>. And <a href="https://twitter.com/829StrikeNOLA/status/373044144689528834/photo/1" style="font-family: inherit;">here’s a picture</a> of a father in New Orleans on strike for his kids. <div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LowPayIsNotOk">Low Pay is Not Okay</a> Facebook page includes comments from workers in more than 30 cities that have joined today’s <a href="http://lowpayisnotok.org/home-0819/">#829Strike</a> – and the day isn’t halfway over yet! <o:p></o:p> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Today’s labor protests build on walkouts in July that took place in several cities, with dozens of more cities expanding the reach of the strikes to <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/29/fast-food-worker-strikes-expand_n_3831060.html?utm_hp_ref=business&ncid=edlinkusaolp00000008">the West Coast and into the South</a>. The momentum of the fast-food workers’ movement and low-wage workers’ struggle in general is growing fast. Today is shaping up to be a historic day in the labor fight for raises and rights on the job. We’ll keep you posted on strike developments throughout the day. Keep standing strong, brothers and sisters!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghYUVCJ2C47DxqCrd8Q1zwQQ9TgPAqB5vztu-kg8o9SkmLeUrFCkuIJaNop2Iok2H7u9a1Az522qOb9Xu-c7autih6YdaefiNXsfAa4-Y8bmKblU5FRyeymaNdX9nv3Vt6Pm1WRaQ5rE31/s1600/ff2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghYUVCJ2C47DxqCrd8Q1zwQQ9TgPAqB5vztu-kg8o9SkmLeUrFCkuIJaNop2Iok2H7u9a1Az522qOb9Xu-c7autih6YdaefiNXsfAa4-Y8bmKblU5FRyeymaNdX9nv3Vt6Pm1WRaQ5rE31/s320/ff2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> </div>

fast food strikes fight for 15 low wage workers McDonald's strike Fast food strikes continue to sweep the nation

Today’s national fast-food workers strike is going strong with reports rolling in from more cities joining the protests.Organizers say the walkouts have spread to 60 cities:Alameda, CA; Atlanta; Aurora, CO; Austin, TX; Ballwin, MO; Belleville, Ill; B…

TPP would only worsen service industry wages

1:11 PM Tukiyooo 0

Low-wage workers across the U.S. <a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2013/08/low-wage-workers-in-Chicago-Milwaukee-Seattle-walk-off-jobs.html">stood up last week to restaurant and retail giants</a> to demand better pay and the right to organize. But the problem would only get worse if Congress approves the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).<o:p></o:p> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBepGvaY0IG9L7TDlMZnb4Bz_AEPnvdqgodxIglB84gabLeBdduTxqsbLt1eTKXFIAFndGh0GUCGF4gmPRYXrXhdMyKQ2mWDi6LTs8Nf-8Nb8DcfhbRXWqU0FOj-ZAB_Y9d1NQB99i-UaE/s1600/tpp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBepGvaY0IG9L7TDlMZnb4Bz_AEPnvdqgodxIglB84gabLeBdduTxqsbLt1eTKXFIAFndGh0GUCGF4gmPRYXrXhdMyKQ2mWDi6LTs8Nf-8Nb8DcfhbRXWqU0FOj-ZAB_Y9d1NQB99i-UaE/s1600/tpp.jpg" /></a>So-called “free trade” deals like the TPP have devastated the American workforce. In the wake of NAFTA and other job-killing trade deals, <a href="http://www.mintpressnews.com/where-did-the-good-jobs-go-globalization-free-trade-and-the-demise-of-americas-middle-class/166167/" rel="nofollow">multinational corporations have increasingly taken what were once good-paying jobs overseas</a>. NAFTA alone has <a href="http://www.epi.org/publication/trade-pacts-korus-trans-pacific-partnership/" rel="nofollow">eliminated nearly 700,000 U.S. jobs</a> since it took effect in 1994. In all, U.S.-based multinational corporations cut 3.3 million American workers from their rolls between 1989 and 2011.<o:p></o:p></div> Those jobs were replaced by lower-paying service industry jobs in the fast food and retail industries. These, of course, are jobs that can’t be moved overseas. But companies have taken advantage of their employees by paying them as little as possible, often with no guarantee of set hours or benefits. These are not entry-level jobs for teenagers, as more and more fast-food employees are college-educated adults trying to raise families: <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><blockquote class="tr_bq">All the evidence is seen in an aging service-sector workforce. Data shows that the workforce at McDonald’s and other chains is attracting more middle-age employees, supplanting the youth workforce that once made up the bulk of the fast food jobs. Using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, NBC News reports that only 16 percent of fast food jobs now go to teens, down from 25 percent a decade ago.</blockquote></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><blockquote class="tr_bq">… Many of the older fast food workers are well-educated, with 42 percent of employees over the age of 25 having at least some college education, including 753,000 with a bachelor’s degree or higher.</blockquote></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The real fear, however, is that workers will continue to slide into economic oblivion due to U.S. trade policy. The U.S. is one of 12 nations currently negotiating TPP and it could be the most dangerous trade deal to date due to its shear size. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Part of the problem is that Congress has ignored how trade agreements hurt U.S. the workforce. Celeste Drake, a trade and globalization policy specialist with the AFL-CIO, <a href="http://docs.house.gov/meetings/FA/FA18/20130801/101233/HHRG-113-FA18-Wstate-DrakeC-20130801.pdf" rel="nofollow">told House lawmakers</a> Aug. 1 that needs to change:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><blockquote class="tr_bq">If working families’ preferences play little or no role in shaping trade and globalization agreements, then it should surprise no one that such agreements harm instead of benefitting workers and their families.</blockquote></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The first step to protecting U.S. jobs  is to make sure Capitol Hill doesn’t approve “fast-track” authority. That would allow the TPP to come before lawmakers for just a quick up-or-down vote, with no amendments and limited debate. You can sign onto a petition that demands <a href="http://action.citizen.org/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=12263" rel="nofollow">Congress fulfill its constitutionally mandated duty to review trade deals here</a>.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><o:p>It's time to stop letting big corporations ship American jobs overseas and dump good wages and benefits overboard!</o:p></div>

fast food strikes low wage workers Nafta TPP TPP would only worsen service industry wages

Low-wage workers across the U.S. stood up last week to restaurant and retail giants to demand better pay and the right to organize. But the problem would only get worse if Congress approves the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). So-called “free trade…

Despicable smear artist attacks fast-food strikers

8:32 AM Tukiyooo 0

<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBMfrGlXapycxRV2XEurFWYEVR-VIMGArtN6bY-PvUQXQqzQkVtxrQWsuJiFZIZaUTOYdBEPwY7cG7VxQKdgylHO5VUXn6dfma9iAp2ZhxDaX7dt9h-xg7z21koCdxFGybQ9dsQeAhMHF9/s1600/fast+food+strikers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBMfrGlXapycxRV2XEurFWYEVR-VIMGArtN6bY-PvUQXQqzQkVtxrQWsuJiFZIZaUTOYdBEPwY7cG7VxQKdgylHO5VUXn6dfma9iAp2ZhxDaX7dt9h-xg7z21koCdxFGybQ9dsQeAhMHF9/s400/fast+food+strikers.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr></tbody></table>Our old enemy, the despicable smear artist <a href="http://bermanexposed.org/" rel="nofollow">Rick Berman</a>, is back, making up crap on Fox News to discredit fast-food strikers. Berman is a shill for the restaurant industry, which is clearly spooked by the thousands of<a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2013/08/low-wage-workers-in-Chicago-Milwaukee-Seattle-walk-off-jobs.html"> fast-food strikers</a> who've elicited broad public outrage over their poverty wages and abuse at work. The fast-food strikers want higher wages and an end to retaliation for trying to form a union. This week, fast-food workers walked off the job in a wave of one-day strikes, first in New York, then in St. Louis, Kansas City, Chicago, Detroit, Flint, Milwaukee and Seattle. Workers who hadn't planned on joining the fast-food strikers suddenly decided to join them. Scabs refused to cross picket lines, according to Bud Meyers at <a href="http://www.economicpopulist.org/content/low-pay-keeps-millennials-stuck-home5319" rel="nofollow">The Economic Populist</a>. Berman is an old corporate hit man whose own son has called him despicable. This is what  <a href="http://ethanbeute.com/wordpress/like-son-dont-like-father-berman/" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #336699; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.890625px;">he has said about dear old dad</a>:  <blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.890625px; margin: 1em 20px;">“My father is a despicable man.  My father is a sort of human molestor.  An exploiter.  A scoundrel.  A world historical motherf*cking son of a b*itch.  (sorry grandma)” “He props up fast food/soda/factory farming/childhood obesity and diabetes/drunk driving/secondhand smoke.</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.890625px; margin: 1em 20px;">He attacks animal lovers, ecologists, civil action attorneys, scientists, dieticians, doctors, teachers.</blockquote>Meyers has more about Berman's recent appearance on Fox News: <blockquote class="tr_bq">Recently on July 29th, on the Fox News business channel, host Stuart Varney interviewed Richard Berman of the Employment Policies Institute to provide a "critical analysis" of the walk outs. Berman dismissed the idea of raising fast food employee wages, claiming that a hike in pay would result in lower employment: </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">"The business model just does not support those kind of wages. If people are feeling that they are not being paid adequately, then they have got to find a job someplace else." </blockquote><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbMgZFVxYJhIPUzT2FSkVJ0DUom6uIZv3p8kaiE1r-GXs7M2Sw0mxvkD5j0ug5q0RPcLFeGJwsgyvX7PJZr6pg3eUrJltBgixALY_FSIhGmQKhdbUky9LnsHLO4hnq77Ourov_-U5f5SC/s1600/rick+berman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbMgZFVxYJhIPUzT2FSkVJ0DUom6uIZv3p8kaiE1r-GXs7M2Sw0mxvkD5j0ug5q0RPcLFeGJwsgyvX7PJZr6pg3eUrJltBgixALY_FSIhGmQKhdbUky9LnsHLO4hnq77Ourov_-U5f5SC/s1600/rick+berman.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Berman</td></tr></tbody></table><blockquote class="tr_bq">Berman, a corporate lobbyist, did not disclose his organization's ties to the fast food industry. According to <a href="http://www.citizensforethics.org/" rel="nofollow">Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington</a>, the Employment Policies Institute is one of many front groups associated with Berman which provides political cover for clients in the restaurant, hospitality, alcohol, and tobacco industries. Berman specializes in a so-called "aggressive media outreach" approach intended to "change the debate" in favor of major clients. </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">Berman, who says the fast-food industry can't support paying $15 an hour, is trying to convince the general public that this raises the incentive for fast-food businesses to replace workers with some automated method of preparing, serving and selling fast-food via an iPad. According to the Employment Policies Institute's 2011 990 form, Berman is paid $1.16 million to use scare tactics to convince others that they aren't worth $15 an hour.</blockquote>It's the same old story of powerful corporations trying to crush their workers using devious means. Let's hope the fast-food strikers can write a new chapter with a happier ending.

fast food strikes low-wage workers Despicable smear artist attacks fast-food strikers

Our old enemy, the despicable smear artist Rick Berman, is back, making up crap on Fox News to discredit fast-food strikers.Berman is a shill for the restaurant industry, which is clearly spooked by the thousands of fast-food strikers who've elicited…

2nd day of fast food strikes hit Kansas City, St. Louis

2:08 PM Tukiyooo 0

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHrUbr8Qh7eRP20qPBspqmnQ3tKHoEi9K4mlU2hgsO3e0uuEXHRkrDOdSe53GiyvG7LuwMdus4F5dyE03D3RokTuB9n9_YHbY22_EqGMgNSBgVoU_urAp-5Z71szdq6o1qXl_ewnrZ3Agu/s1600/fast+food+workers+strike+in+Kansas+City.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHrUbr8Qh7eRP20qPBspqmnQ3tKHoEi9K4mlU2hgsO3e0uuEXHRkrDOdSe53GiyvG7LuwMdus4F5dyE03D3RokTuB9n9_YHbY22_EqGMgNSBgVoU_urAp-5Z71szdq6o1qXl_ewnrZ3Agu/s320/fast+food+workers+strike+in+Kansas+City.png" width="278" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fast food strike in Kansas City</td></tr></tbody></table>Fast food workers walked off the job today in Kansas City and St. Louis, fed up with poverty wages and employer retaliation. The action followed a one-day strike in New York City by hundreds of workers at fast food restaurants such as Wendy's, McDonald's and Burger King. In Kansas City today, a Family Dollar worker inspired by the fast food strike walked off the job and joined the action. Andre Houston, a McDonald's crew member in St. Louis, is featured on the "Low Wage Is Not OK" Facebook page. The message: His family relies on his salary just to live. His family can't survive on poverty wages. Sixty Teamster first responders in El Centro, Calif, are also <a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2013/07/teamster-first-responders-strike.html">striking Gold Cross Ambulance</a> for a third day. They're fighting against low wages and substandard equipment that puts patients at risk. The labor unrest will continue to escalate through the rest of the week with short strikes against fast food companies in Chicago, Detroit and Milwaukee. And in San Francisco, <a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2013/07/teamsters-to-protest-against-mckesson.html" rel="nofollow">McKesson will face a large Teamster protest</a> tomorrow because it retaliates against workers for trying to form a union.  <a href="http://business.time.com/2013/07/30/fast-food-strikes-unable-to-unionize-workers-borrow-tactics-from-occupy/">Time Magazine</a> compared this week's industrywide strikes to the wave of actions that galvanized the labor movement during the 1930s: <blockquote class="tr_bq">This week’s walk-outs seem less about truly unionizing (even though the workers’ efforts have received support from the Service Employees International Union) and more about building public momentum for a higher minimum wage. Instead of taking the traditional route of trying to reach some sort of collective bargaining agreement, they’re betting that an Occupy-style public awareness campaign, based on the idea that their wages are inherently unfair, perpetuate inequality and fail to move them up the economic ladder, will lead to change at either the state or federal level.</blockquote>Sign the petition demanding no retaliation against fast food strikers <a href="http://lowpayisnotok.org/noretaliation/?utm_campaign=LowPay&utm_medium=FBPage&utm_source=NoRetaliation">here</a>. And give them a Facebook Like <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LowPayIsNotOk">here</a>.

fast food strikes low wage workers 2nd day of fast food strikes hit Kansas City, St. Louis

Fast food strike in Kansas CityFast food workers walked off the job today in Kansas City and St. Louis, fed up with poverty wages and employer retaliation. The action followed a one-day strike in New York City by hundreds of workers at fast food rest…