Labor in Illinois

Labor Report
September 22, 2008

August Unemployment Rises to 7.3%

Above the national average, Illinois unemployment has risen to 7.3% in the month of August. Reports the Chicago Tribune, “The hardest-hit sector in Illinois last month was the broad category known as trade, transportation and utilities, which shed 3,300 jobs in August after losing 2,000 in July.” The construction sector has lost 7900 jobs over the last 12 months, landing at a current 261,900 people who do work in that area. Manufacturing lost 700 positions and currently functions with 668,700 employees. One thousand government jobs were lost. Meanwhile, this month saw a gain of 500 jobs in the Education and Health Services sector. – Chicago Tribune (19 Sept 2008) http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/yourmoney/chi-fri-illinois-unemployment-sep19,0,3691163.story

Boeing Strikers Encouraged to File for Jobless Pay

Chicago machinists who work for Boeing have filed a claim with the National Labor Relations Board that holds they were misled by employers and improperly questioned about a contract proposal. If the National Labor Relations Board upholds that complaint, there's a small chance that members who have filed for jobless pay might be able to collect. Channel 42 http://www.keyetv.com/business/story.aspx?content_id=700fc8f8-1770-4c1a-b812-8b3ad3de3915

Restaurant Employer Admits Employing Illegal Aliens

Besim Tabaku, owner of Toni’s Family Restaurant in Mount Clare, Illinois, pleaded guilty in federal court to the illegal employment of five Mexican nationals. Tabaku and his wife have housed the workers in their family home. According to the Immigration and Naturalization Service, all five Mexicans admitted to avoiding all documentation and inspection upon their entry into the country. Tabaku is currently free on $50,000 bond. – The Telegraph (August 22, 2008) http://www.thetelegraph.com/news/restaurant_17526___article.html/tabaku_family.html

Teen Unemployment Rate Rising Sharply

Illinois’ teen unemployment rate is rising and currently stands at19.51%. Some tie this to the increase in minimum wage, taking place in three increments over two years, from $5.15 to $7.25. Said Rick Berman, executive director of the Employment Policies Institute, “The unintended consequences of Illinois’ minimum wage hike is pricing some employees out of the work force, and based on the new unemployment data, it’s teens who are getting hit the hardest.”— Belleville News-Democrat (10 Sept 2008) http://www.bnd.com/news/local/story/466465.html

Mitsubishi to Resume Talks with UAW

One of the largest Japanese automakers, Mitsubishi, has agreed to resume talks with workers at their Normal, Illinois plant on September 24. Since 2003, the facility has reduced its employment by 63 percent, and their US sales have continued to drop. On one daily shift, the plant makes Gallant sedans, Endeavor sport utility vehicles, Eclipse coupes and Spyder convertibles. – Bloomberg News (17 Sept 2008) http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601101&sid=aQAPXJWpDoTg&refer=japan

Equal Opportunity Commission Files Suit against Walmart
The Equal Opportunity Commission has filed a suit in behalf of a Rockford woman whose epileptic seizure brought about her dismissal. The Commission contends that her treatment by employers was in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which holds that employers must provide “reasonable accommodation” to employees with disabilities. The hearing will take place in the U.S. Circuit Court for the Northern District of Illinois. – Rockford Register Star (Sept 9, 2008) http://www.rrstar.com/communities/x1420955304/Equal-Employment-Opportunity-Commission-files-suit-against-Wal-Mart

Bloomington Citizens Vote on Living Wage

Organizers in Bloomington have won the right to hold a referendum on Election Day regarding increases in wages for all citizens in the city of Bloomington. Said Don Carlson, executive director of the Central Illinois Organizing Project, “Politically, it’s always dangerous not to listen to the will of the people. We want to see this as an opportunity for students to get mixed into involvement and make changes happen.” The referendum stands to impact the wages of clerical assistants, lifeguards, janitors, and many student workers of Illinois State University and other area colleges. – Daily Vidette (Illinois State University) http://media.www.dailyvidette.com/media/storage/paper420/news/
2008/09/08/News/Bloomington.Citizens.Take.Living.Wage.Referendum.To.A.Vote-3418586.shtml