labor relations

14 Stories

There's a Shorter Workweek on the Horizon

A bill proposed by Democrat lawmakers is backed by research and prompted by effects of the pandemic

(Newser) - Two California lawmakers might put their state on the leading edge of a major shift toward a better work-life balance for all. "We’ve had a five-day workweek since the Industrial Revolution," state assemblywoman Cristina Garcia tells the Los Angeles Times, "But we’ve had a lot...

French Telecom Suicides Spark Official Unease

Firm's chief to meet with labor minister

(Newser) - A spate of suicides by workers at a French telecommunications company is prompting a meeting between the firm's CEO and France's labor minister, the BBC reports. Since last year, 23 employees of France Telecom have killed themselves; unions blame tough management practices, but the firm, which was privatized in 1998,...

British Execs Released After Latest French 'Bossnapping'

(Newser) - In the latest demonstration of French employees refusing to take job losses sitting down, workers at a glue factory took 3 British execs and their French manager hostage last night, and released them today, the BBC reports. The “bossnappers” demanded a renegotiation of their severance package from Scapa, which...

French Workers Free Hostage Boss

Strikers let 3M boss walk after he agrees to better layoff packages

(Newser) - Striking French factory workers have freed their boss after barricading him in his office south of Paris for nearly a day, the BBC reports. The manager of the 3M plant, who was released only after he agreed to renegotiate compensation packages for laid-off workers, said conditions "were not so...

State, Chicago Threaten BoA Over Ill. Sit-in

Will yank business if bank doesn't restore window factory's credit

(Newser) - The sit-in launched by laid-off workers at a Chicago door and window factory could have a nine-figure financial impact on Bank of America. Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, a day before his arrest on corruption charges, called on state agencies to cease doing business with the bank, and the city of...

Sides Dig In Despite Boeing Strike Costs
Sides Dig In Despite Boeing Strike Costs
ANALYSIS
Sep 29, 2008 1:35 PM CDT

Sides Dig In Despite Boeing Strike Costs

Stoppage in week 4; price tag nears $1.3B for aircraft giant

(Newser) - Machinists employed by Boeing have been on strike for more than 3 weeks, with no end in sight; analysts say if the stoppage reaches a month, it could cost the aircraft maker $1.3 billion, the Seattle Times reports. The union sees its position as good, given Boeing’s huge...

Dockworkers Strike Against Iraq War

West Coast ports idle for May Day in run-up to union contract talks

(Newser) - In an action their union says is a protest against the war in Iraq, dockworkers from Washington to Southern California have taken May Day off, crippling West Coast port traffic, the Los Angeles Times reports. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union, whose contract is up in 2 months, was ordered...

Clooney, WGA Part Ways Over Disputed Credit

Filmmaker takes reduced role in union after Leatherheads flap

(Newser) - George Clooney has all but severed his ties to the Writers Guild after a dispute over screenwriting credit for the new film Leatherheads, reports Variety. The film's director, co-producer, and star says he overhauled a weak script, but a 2-to-1 arbitration vote went against him. He didn't publicize the move...

Cop Crisis Threatens Carnival
Cop Crisis Threatens Carnival
Jan 31, 2008 12:04 PM CST

Cop Crisis Threatens Carnival

Rio deals with mass police resignations just ahead of festival

(Newser) - A wave of police resignations has hit Rio de Janeiro at the worst possible time, the BBC reports, with Brazil's famous Carnival parades set to begin tomorrow. Forty-three senior officers resigned in protest over the firing of their commander last week; though the city can ill-afford such a crisis, officials...

Amtrak Deal Prevents Strike
Amtrak Deal Prevents Strike
Jan 18, 2008 5:03 PM CST

Amtrak Deal Prevents Strike

Pact meets most of employee unions' demands

(Newser) - Amtrak struck a deal with nine of its labor unions today, heading off a potentially catastrophic strike that was scheduled to begin at the end of the month, the AP reports. Union members still must ratify the specifics, but sources say the deal grants the unions full payment of back...

China Braces for Fallout of Labor Law

New regs may drive manufacturers out in search for cheaper workers

(Newser) - Olympus, Nike, and other manufacturers operating on low margins may close up shop in China after the government’s new labor law protecting workers comes into effect today, reports Bloomberg. The law improves worker security, limits overtime, sets minimum wages, and makes it more difficult to hire temporary workers, among...

Writers Reject Producers' New Offer
Writers Reject Producers'
New Offer
Nov 30, 2007 10:38 AM CST

Writers Reject Producers' New Offer

Two sides can't agree on internet pay as picketers march on

(Newser) - Striking writers angrily rejected a new offer from producers to resolve the biggest sticking point in negotiations—compensation for internet use. The producers said they offered $130 million more in annual compensation to writers, who dismissed the deal as a "massive rollback." Talks to end the 3-week strike...

Grinch Returns to Broadway Despite Strike

Holiday musical reopens after 2 weeks of darkness, picketing

(Newser) - Little girls and their parents flocked to this morning's reopening of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! after a 2-week hiatus, the Times reports. A stagehands' strike has shuttered most Broadway productions, but Grinch tickets went on sale after a judge ordered the show, which has a separate deal...

GM, Union Tangle Over Health Care, Labor Costs

Strike highlights rift; negotiations resume

(Newser) - At the root of the UAW's strike against GM's US factories is a fundamental conflict between management's need to cut costs and the union's resistance to offering more givebacks, Bloomberg reports. Negotiations resumed this afternoon between GM, which lost $12.4 billion last year, and the UAW, which represents 73,...

14 Stories