Talks between Patriot Coal, UMWA break off

The potential of a strike against Patriot Coal Corp. appeared to loom larger after talks between the company and the United Mine Workers of America came to an abrupt end this week. The union blamed company negotiators on Wednesday for breaking off negotiations; the company said that claim was wrong.

Patriot and the union continued negotiations into this week even after a May 29 court order approving the company’s request to make deep cuts in benefits for 23,000 union retirees and dependents and implement changes to the labor contract for thousands of current employees.

The company, based in Creve Coeur, has insisted that it needs $150 million in union concessions to emerge from bankruptcy. And unless the company could negotiate a deal with the union to achieve the savings, it would make the changes allowed by the court.

UMWA officials issued a statement on Wednesday saying they were notified that the company intends to impose the court-approved wage and benefit plans as soon as possible, on July 1, after company negotiators “walked out” of talks with the union on Tuesday and cancelled negotiations scheduled for the rest of this week and early next week.

http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/patriot-coal-walks-out-of-talks-with-miners-union/article_4ef90748-7423-5f3f-b0f2-64524911ecb9.html

The company needs Union concessions to emerge from bankruptcy, but somehow the Executives don't have to take a hit and the court approved their pay.

Thrift store workers join retail union

Workers at Unique Thrift in Kingsbridge voted to join the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union on June 7.

A day after holding a vigil outside the store on June 6, workers voted 36 to 22 in favor of joining RWDSU and according to the union, will have a bargaining unit of 64 employees. A group of workers approached the powerful union because they say they are paid low wages, receive no paid sick days, minimal vacation time and are verbally abused by managers at the store.

Unlike many other well-known thrift stores like Goodwill or Salvation Army that are non-profit charitable organizations, Unique Thrift, located at 218 W. 234th St., is a for-profit thrift store owned by Apogee Retail. The company, which owns a chain of 30 locations, buys household items donated to the Lupus Foundation, a charitable organization that raises funds to help those affected by Lupus. A portion of the sale proceeds go to support the Lupus Foundation, according to its website, though it is unclear how much.

“People think that it’s contributing to the Lupus Foundation,” said RWDSU president Stuart Appelbaum. “They don’t realize it’s a business. People are making money from the business and people who work there are trying to support themselves and their families. It’s not a charity.”


http://riverdalepress.com/stories/Thrift-store-workers-join-retail-union,52596?content_source=&category_id=4&search_filter=&event_mode=&event_ts_from=&list_type=&order_by=&order_sort=&content_class=&sub_type=&town_id=

CEO Pay Graphics

In the past few decades, CEO pay has skyrocketed while the average worker’s pay has stagnated despite increases in productivity. Multinational corporations park their profits overseas and shirk their responsibilities as taxpayers. The middle class is dwindling and more and more working people are living hand-to-mouth. Learn more about the pervasive inequality in the United States and spread the word.

http://www.aflcio.org/Corporate-Watch/CEO-Pay-and-You

Metro Workers Authorize Strike; Next Step Mediation

ST. LOUIS, MO (KTVI)– Metro Transit Union members voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike Tuesday

Ninety percent of the members who voted agreed to the move.

The main sticking point, Metro wants to end pensions for all new workers and instead offer a 401k.

Some workers say they haven’t received a pay increase since 2008.

http://kplr11.com/2013/06/11/metro-workers-authorize-strike-next-step-mediation/

Writers Guild of America, East, Shares 101 Best-Written TV Series

The Writers Guild of America, East, (WGAE) shares the top 101 best-written TV series.

1. The Sopranos

2. Seinfeld

3. The Twilight Zone

4. All in the Family

5. MASH

6. The Mary Tyler Moore Show

7. Mad Men

8. Cheers

9. The Wire

10. The West Wing

See the rest on the WGAE website.

So what do you think?


http://www.aflcio.org/Blog/Other-News/Writers-Guild-of-America-East-Shares-101-Best-Written-TV-Series

June 12: National Peanut Butter Cookie Day

June 10: National Iced Tea Day

June 9: National Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie Day

Why Walmart Won't Change

All eyes are on Walmart as its annual shareholder meeting takes place today. There are thousands of cheering employees, shareholders, celebrities and media in Fayatteville, Ark. including Forbes’ own Clare O’Connor who is live tweeting the event.

There are also the protesters, those advocating for change at the world’s largest retailer.

But Walmart’s agenda will not be changed, not this way. Apologies to MoveOn.org, but public protests and partisan politics only make retailers dig in their heels and stand their ground.

Already we know that protestors were expected, but were not heard, inside the arena at the University of Arkansas and proposals have been voted down.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/lauraheller/2013/06/07/why-walmart-wont-change/?partner=yahootix

June 8: Jelly-Filled Doughnut Day