Friday, January 3, 2014

Today's Teamster News 01.03.14

Teamsters Local 553 Fights to Protect NYC Horse-Drawn Carriages  CNN   ...Teamsters Local 553 leads the fight against a proposed ban of one of the city's most recognized and beloved attractions. See the video here...
Billionaires Worth $3.7 Trillion Surge as Gates Wins 2013  Bloomberg News   ...The richest people on the planet got even richer in 2013, adding $524 billion to their collective net worth, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, a daily ranking of the world’s 300 wealthiest individuals...
Court Beefs Up Protections for Workers Injured By Chemicals  Mother Jones   ...Last week, a federal court issued a ruling strengthening protections for Americans injured by chemicals on the job...
Senate Democrats plan to reinstate lost unemployment benefits  The Guardian   ...Democratic leaders in the Senate are planning to fast-track legislation to extend unemployment insurance, a move that would provide a lifeline to more than a million Americans who lost their benefits last week...
Public service unions brace for coming showdown over sick leave  Ottawa Citizen   ...A big issue in the Conservative government’s upcoming showdown with federal unions over a plan to eliminate accumulated sick leave is what to do with the $5.2 billion in unused leave that public servants have already banked and rolled over...
Home, Sweet (Privatized Military) Home  Truthout   ...The goals of faster and cheaper military housing may have been achieved through privatization, but problems including unreliable builders and an unwillingness to fix persistent problems including mold has led to legal action by tenants...
The “middle class” myth: Here’s why wages are really so low today  The Salon   ...Want to understand the failures of the "free market" and the key to getting a decent wage? Here's the real story...
Home Depot Founder: Pope Francis’ Criticism Of Capitalism Will Scare Away Rich People  ThinkProgress   ...Ken Langone, the billionaire founder of Home Depot, is worried Pope Francis’ recent criticism of the wealthy and capitalism will be a “hurdle” for rich donors...
Retirement unlikely for some Americans  Associated Press   ...Whether they work on the farm or at a blue collar job, baby boomers worry that Social Security won't be enough to allow them to retire...
Loan Monitor Is Accused of Ruthless Tactics on Student Debt  New York Times   ...As the Educational Credit Management Corporation fights borrowers who file for bankruptcy on federal loans, there is growing concern over its collection practices...
Congress just let 55 tax breaks expire  The Washington Post   ...There are 55 tax breaks for individuals and businesses that expired at the end of 2013. Read up on the tax breaks so you don’t miss out when you file this year...
Walmart Recalls Donkey Meat In China Because It Contained Fox  Reuters   ...Wal-Mart Stores Inc, the world's largest retailer, has recalled donkey meat sold at some outlets in China after tests showed the product contained the DNA of other animals, the U.S. company said...
Fiat shares jump after deal to buy rest of Chrysler, but unions worry about jobs in Italy  Associated Press   ...Shares in Fiat soared on Thursday on the news the Italian automaker will take full ownership of Chrysler, but some Italian unions worried what the deal will mean for jobs and investments in the country...
In Cambodia, pressure from labor disputes mounts on a longtime leader  Reuters   ...Labor strikes in Cambodia have taken on a new significance and are presenting a rare challenge to one of the world's longest-serving leaders...
Bangladesh shipbuilder sets benchmark in health and safety standards  The Guardian   ...Chittagong shipyard partners with German firm to promote better workplace health and safety practices and reduce accidents...
Workers In A Third State Can Now Take Paid Family Leave  ThinkProgress   ...Rhode Island's new paid family leave law went into effect as the new year arrived, making it the third state (along with California and New Jersey) that has such a program...