Labor in Illinois

NLRB Issues Mixed Rulings on Sam's Club Actions

The National Labor Relations Board ruled against Sam's Club, a Walmart subsidiary, that a Las Vegas manager violated the NLRA in prohibiting workers from discussing the United Food and Commercial Workers union on the sales floor and prohibiting employees from attaching statements about their asserted rights to their badge holders. The panel was divided, however, over the suspension of an employee who insisted that a coworker accompany her to a meeting with management. Management characterized her as hysterical. – Daily Labor Report (11 May 2007)

Unions and Public Advocacy Groups Challenge Legality of Cross-Border Trucking

A coalition of advocacy groups including the Teamsters, Sierra Club, Public Citizen, Environmental Law Foundation, Auto and Truck Drivers Local 70 and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association have filed a federal suit against the operation of Mexican-based longhaul trucks in the United States. The groups contend that the pilot project was developed by the Department of Transportation and Federal Motor Carried Safety Administration secretly, outside of the Administrative Procedure Act's requirement to publicly approve the agreement. They echo a 2002 suit on the subject, wherein they argued that Mexican diesel trucks, which are not held to US emissions standards, will increase pollution around the border. Though the Supreme Court decided in 2004 that the Bush administration did not have to consider the environmental impact of the Mexican trucks, the plantiffs still contend that the secrecy of this new agreement violates the official procedures of the North American Free Trade Agreement. – Union Labor Report (4 May 2007): 69.

Disney World Employees Discuss Unionizing Strategies

Disney World's Service Trades Council Union, which comprises six separate local unions, held a vote on May 18 over the approval of a three- year contract. Member unions include UNITE HERE, the International Alliance of Theatrical State Employees, Transportation Communications Union, the United Food and Commercial Workers and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Among the provisions of the proposed contract are wage hikes varying from 2 to 5 percent per year, pension credit for workers past 30 years of service, and a "Health Value" plan that offers low co-payments and deductibles. Teamsters recommend that members reject the proposal because it pushes too large a share of the health insurance costs onto employees. – Daily Labor Report (14 May 2007): AA-11.

Democrats' Compromise on Trade Contracts Strains Relationship with Organized Labor

A bilateral proposal on Congressional "Fast Track" authority which gestures to the consideration of the rights of workers but expands free-trade agreements has provoked disagreements among unions and has strained the relationship between organized labor and House Democrats. The AFL-CIO has optimistically embraced free trade agreements with Panama and Peru, but have voiced concern over the expansion of Congressional "fast track authority" to Columbia and South Korea. The Change to Win federation, meanwhile, has stated they are "extremely disappointed that House Democratic leaders in Congress joined with the Bush administration yesterday to announce a trade 'deal' that is far more free than fair." They are concerned that expansion of the free-trade agreement resembles the North American Free Trade Agreement and Central American Free Trade Agreement, neither of which strive to protect American jobs. Furthermore, they argue, NAFTA/CAFTA directly promote "a surge in undocumented immigration, a soaring trade deficit, declining wages, and a deterioration of labor standards." The Teamsters' James Hoffa, president of one of the seven partners in the Change to Win federation, argued, "I am baffled as to why there is such eagerness to give this president—who is unwilling to enforce current labor and trade laws—a victory by continuing to pass more…trade models that send good-paying jobs overseas." A statement by the United Steelworkers held, "We are deeply disappointed that neither the Democratic Caucus nor the labor movement were fully briefed about the details of the proposed agreement before those who negotiated it were publicly proclaiming its virtues." National Association of Manufacturers President John Engler supports the House proposal and holds that it does not obligate manufacturers to uphold International Labor Organization Core Conventions that they have not ratified.— Daily Labor Report (14 May 2007): AA-1.

llinois American Water Plans Rate Hike

Karla Teasley of Illinois American Water announced plans to initiate a rate case with the Illinois Commerce Commission to cover, according to the Daily Southtown, "rising fuel, power, labor, materials and health insurance prices." Several localities including Orland Hills, Illinois have considered freeing themselves of dependence on the corporation by exercising their right of eminent domain over their local water infrastructure. The town still remembers the installation of new water meters in 2005 that many claim were faulty. Illinois American Water has discussed changing the currently flat-rate sewage fee to one based on usage. – Daily Southtown (16 May 2007)

Boeing, IAM Reach Tentative Three-Year Pact

The new pact reached by the International Association of Machinists and Boeing Co. includes a either a 3.5 percent lump sum payment or four percent increase in workers' pay, a bonus plan to encourage improvements in quality and productivity, continued opportunities to join the employee stock-distribution plan, and opportunities for workers to contribute four to 12 percent of their pay to their choice of heath insurance plans. The IAM successfully fended off Boeing's proposal to disregard layoff seniority rules "for workers said to possess critical skills or a necessary security clearance," says the Daily Labor Report. Anger at that proposal was repudely the primary motivation behind an April 22 strike-authorization vote. – Daily Labor Report (18 May 2007): A-6.