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Economic/Political Articles
Wal-Mart Pays $45 Million For "No Wrongdoing"
It was announced this week that Wal-Mart has agreed to shell out up to $35 million to a class of its employees in Washington State who sued the company for denying them rest breaks and meal breaks, and for forcing them to work off the clock, which is illegal. But the retailer says it did nothing wrong -- always. The settlement ends the case Barnett v. Wal-Mart, which was being presented in King County, W.A. Superior Court. According to legal documents, as many as 80,000 plaintiffs were covered by the class action suit. This settlement was … more

Analysts Slam Clement
Contrary to what federal Industry Minister Tony Clement thinks, there was no shortage of interest in buying Canadian-based nickel companies in 2006, say several Canadian mining analysts. What started out as a $12.5-billion US cash and stock proposed friendly takeover by Inco of longtime rival Falconbridge Ltd. in the fall of 2005 and would have created the world's largest nickel company with a 30% market share, got repeatedly bogged down in the acquisition and regulatory approval details. Those delays led to rival miner … more

White House Expects Healthcare Bill By Year's End
White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel said in an interview on Friday he expected a final healthcare bill by the end of the year and that negotiations in the U.S. Congress now focus on controlling costs. "I think we will have a bill by the end of the year for the president to sign on healthcare reform that controls costs, expands coverage and provides choice," Emanuel told National Public Radio. The reform package under construction in both chambers of Congress has been besieged from all sides by criticism of its more than $1 trillion … more

Steelworker Articles
USW Local 1155L Holds a Solidarity Rally – District 9
On July 23, United Steelworkers (USW) Local 1155L held a solidarity rally in support of ongoing negotiations with Bridgestone/Firestone. Over 250 union members braved a fog laden morning to voice their displeasure with the company's stance of massive wage concessions, 400% increase in insurance premiums, frozen pensions etc. The USW Council returns to Louisville KY next week to resume bargaining with the company. The council is comprised of seven plants whose members produce Bridgestone/Firestone products. To read more on … more

NewPage Union Votes ‘No’ – District 2
Mill’s USW defeats approval of contract
It's back to the negotiating table for members of United Steelworkers Union 2-21 and NewPage. USW members overwhelmingly defeated approval of a proposed contract Wednesday. According to Bryon Branstrom, president of USW Local 2-21, 722 union members or 88 percent turned out Wednesday to cast their ballots. "This is the first vote on a proposed contract since negotiations started 14 months ago. Our contract with NewPage expired June 1, 2008," said Branstrom. Kel Smyth, government and community affairs … more

133 Will Lose Jobs In Lititz – District 10
The recession is taking its toll on another business in Lancaster County. The latest victim is NTN-BCA Corp. in Lititz, which announced Wednesday it will shut down some time next year, idling all 133 employees. Formerly owned by Federal-Mogul, the 401 W. Lincoln Ave. facility makes ball and needle roller bearings used in clutch releases, engines and heavy industrial equipment. Demand has tumbled to extremely low levels, leading to the decision to close the Lititz site and transfer its production to other company plants that can easily … more

Manufacturer May Close – District 2
Michigan's weak economy prompts company to consider leaving state. A longtime Macomb Township manufacturing facility could close within weeks and idle dozens of workers, a union official said this week. Officials of Nachi Machining Technology, a fixture along 23 Mile Road since 1981, told employees this week the struggling economy likely will force them to close and move operations to other facilities in Indiana and Japan, said Gary Justice, president of United Steelworkers Local 7489 and a 32-year employee of the plant … more

Steelworkers Target Gender Barriers – District 6
The United Steelworkers (USW) represent more than steel and construction trades. Likewise Women of Steel, an organization designed to help women to remove stumbling blocks to greater equality and workplace participation — but the effect of the program, started in 1989, on the Canadian construction industry has been noticeable. “We designed a program that encouraged workplace participation, union activism and leadership development, in programs developed by women for women,” says Sue Milling, Department Leader … more

Mill Staff Approve Pay Cuts – District 6
Workers at Canfor's Clear Lake sawmill have voted in favour of a cost-reduction package that totals $2.6 million, the company said Wednesday. Although the company would not reveal details of the package, Canfor spokesman Dave Lefebvre said the vast majority of the cost reduction was in wages. Sources familiar with the vote have told The Citizen that workers were voting on packages that contained 14 per cent to 19 per cent wage reductions. Lefebvre said the cost reductions would be implemented shortly. Sources familiar with the … more

Vale SA President’s Comments Stun Steelworker Official – District 6
Striking members of United Steelworkers Local 6500 are using the words of Vale SA president and chief executive officer Roger Agnelli to bolster their case for being on the picket line since July 13. Local 6500 vice-president Rick Bertrand said he was astonished to read a transcript of a conference held Aug. 11, 2006, when Companhia Vale do Rio Doce, now Vale, was considering purchasing Inco Ltd. Brazilian-based CEO Agnelli participated in what was called a CVRD Offer for Inco Conference Call along with other executives … more