http://www.todaysworkplace.org Sat, 11 Jul 2009 12:33:09 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en todaysworkplacehttp://feedburner.google.com The minimum wage is a scandal. It masks poverty. It must be dramatically raised.On July 24th, the minimum wage will rise to $7.25 an hour. I applaud people who worked hard to pass the three-step hike. The new level will put some extra money in the pockets of millions of ... http://www.todaysworkplace.org/2009/07/10/an-american-scandal-the-minimum-wage/ In a recent Letter to the Editor in the New York Times, Lilly Ledbetter reminded all of us that Congress still has some unfinished business when it comes to ensuring fair pay for women. Specifically, she mentioned the importance of passing the Paycheck Fairness Act – a bill that aims ... http://www.todaysworkplace.org/2009/07/09/lily-ledbetters-fair-pay-fight-continues/ The Government Accountability Office has recently released a report showing that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Voluntary Protection Program is ineffective. OSHA’s VPP, established in 1982 and expanded to over twice the number of job sites during the Bush administration, allows businesses to avoid routine OSHA inspections by, among ... http://www.todaysworkplace.org/2009/07/09/government-accountability-office-report-highlights-shortcomings-of-oshas-voluntary-protection-program/ You’ve probably heard lots of buzz about “green jobs” lately. But, you may have wondered, what does all that buzz translate to in the real world? How is the green jobs movement affecting real people and real communities? And are new green jobs being created in ways that make them ... http://www.todaysworkplace.org/2009/07/08/training-workers-for-the-green-jobs-of-today-and-tomorrow/ The sanctity of the attorney-client relationship is a fundamental pillar of our legal system, recognized throughout the public and private sector. “[T]he attorney-client privilege is the oldest privilege recognized for confidential communications at common law and is intended ‘to encourage full and frank communications between attorneys and their clients and ... http://www.todaysworkplace.org/2009/07/08/using-company-email-to-communicate-with-your-employment-lawyer/ This week, workers at Hartmarx Factory won a major victory against Wells Fargo, as Wells Fargo agreed to keep their factory open. The story of the Hartmarx workers had drawn national attention as they threatened to occupy their factory if Wells Fargo closed it. Their victory yesterday represents a major ... http://www.todaysworkplace.org/2009/07/07/worker-uprising-against-wells-fargo-spreads-after-major-victory-to-keep-factories-open/ One of the ugliest fights for worker justice has taken place in Tar Heel, North Carolina, which is about 80 miles south of Raleigh. For 17 years, thousands of workers, who labor under some pretty brutal conditions in the largest pork processing plant, have sought a modicum of justice and ... http://www.todaysworkplace.org/2009/07/07/victory-at-smithfield-an-independance-day-symbol/ CEO used to equal rock star.   Okay, it’s not as bad as it was in the ‘80’s when even non-business magazines had smiling CEOs on the cover, but I still think most of us want our CEO to have a certain amount of star quality. Call it the Trumpification of the ... http://www.todaysworkplace.org/2009/07/06/ceo%e2%80%99s-home-isn%e2%80%99t-where-your-heart-is-2/ The WARN Act, passed in 1988, was supposed to require employers to give workers and the surrounding community a 60-day advance notice of mass layoffs, providing workers a head start in preparing to find another job and communities a chance to brace for the economic impact. But loopholes, exceptions and weak ... http://www.todaysworkplace.org/2009/07/06/new-plant-closing-bill-forewarned-is-better-armed/ I was asked today to post a diary to Daily Kos written by my boss, Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa - it is beneath the fold. In this piece we are looking into the fact that a tax hike on health benefits to pay for health care reform is ... http://www.todaysworkplace.org/2009/07/06/taxing-employer-health-benefits-the-poison-pill-that-would-kill-health-care-reform/