Labor Blotter

The strike against Goodyear Tire and Rubber by the United Steelworkers of America entered its seventh week without a resolution. In the latest round of negotiations between USW, representing about 15,000 workers in 16 plants, and Goodyear, the world’s largest tire company, the union has rejected proposals that would drastically reduce pay and benefits to union members.

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association, AFL-CIO continues to operate under imposed work rules by the Federal Aviation Administration after the FAA broke off contract negotiations on, ironically, Labor Day. The new rules include a two tier pay system which freezes the salaries of current controllers and pays new hires 30 percent less, deleting the requirement for breaks after two hours on a control position, and routine denial of sick leave.

Houston, Texas janitors represented by Service Employees International Union endured a month long strike and shocking acts of police brutality to win salary increases and health insurance benefits. The pay increase, to be phased in over three years, raises hourly wages from $5.30 to $7.95.

Ford Incorporated is offering buyout packages to employees after announcing it intends to reduce its workforce by 30,000 hourly and 14,000 salaried positions by 2008. Ford lost nearly $7 billion in the first three quarters of 2006.

Nike Incorporated has stopped placing orders for hand-stitched soccer balls from Saga Sports, a Pakistan based company, after a six month investigation. Nike found numerous labor, environmental, and safety violations within Saga’s facilities, including allegations by trade unionists and employees of worker harassment, wrongful termination, and inaccurate payment of wages.

Labor Blotter

30-40 migrant workers for Ag-Mart, the Florida-based tomato supplier for McDonald’s, were found living in a vermin-infested former nightclub without hot water or a shower. The workers were placed there by a contracted labor supervisor responsible for hiring and housing of employees.

The Northwest Airlines Mechanics strike appears to be all but over, according to an aviation consultant. The Minneapolis-based carrier has replaced most of the striking mechanics, cleaners, and custodians and has rehired some of the strikers at 2/3 of their former salaries.

Wal-Mart has been fined $78.5 million in Pennsylvania for forcing employees to work through rest breaks and off the clock. The world’s largest retailer settled a similar suit for $50 million in Colorado and has appealed a $172 million ruling in California.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, following in the footsteps of the Presbyterian Church, United Church of Christ, and National Council of Churches, issued a statement calling on McDonald’s to, “...insist your produce suppliers meet the highest ethical standards in how they treat their employees...”

The Bush-appointed Federal Labor Relations Board voted recently to redefine the term “supervisor,” opening the door for employers to reclassify millions of employees as such. Federal labor laws prohibit supervisors from forming unions.