MP3:  winjr031210.mp3 Transcript:  winhead012510.txt

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MP3:  winhead031210.mp3 Headlines:  Bill Will Make New York A Leader In Fighting Wage Theft - 03/12/10 Author Finds Some Managers Are Modern Day “Economic Disobedience” Robin Hoods - 03/12/10 Economic Report: Initial U.S. Jobless Claims Drop Slightly- 03/12/10

Economic Report:

The number of newly laid off workers dropped slightly last week. Initial jobless claims fell by 6,000 over the previous week. However, according to economists the numbers still aren’t at a point that would indicate consistent job creation. Claims were at 462,000 and they would need to fall below 425,000 to signal sustained growth.

As low wage workers continue to struggle in today’s economy a new book exposes a small group of managers that are playing the role of modern day “Robin Hoods.” Jesse Russell reports:

While researching a book about the difficulties of low-income workers, Brandeis University sociologist Lisa Dodson stumbled into the world that exists between low-income and middle class workers. Dodson found managers who were concerned about the wages being paid to workers they oversaw, but felt there was little they could do. However, among this group she found a number of modern day “Robin Hoods.”

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By Doug Cunningham

[Amy Carroll]: “It's a really exciting piece of legislation in New York state that's going to make New York state that's really going to make New York the leader in the fight to end wage theft."

Make The Road New York Legal Director Amy Carroll, on a bill introduced in the New York state legislature this week to combat wage theft. Wage theft by employers is a growing problem nationally and Carroll says it’s a big problem in New York, where the Coalition to Prevent Wage Theft & Protect Responsible Businesses will conduct a vigorous campaign against wage theft.

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MP3:  winhead031110.mp3 Headlines:  Private Contractor PHS Locks Out SEIU Health Workers At Alameda County Jails - 03/11/10 NJ Governor Admits He Can't Circumvent State Worker Contracts Like He Said In Campaign - 03/11/10 Residency Requirements Bill Considered For NJ Workers Living Across State Line - 03/11/10

New Jersey state workers who live over the state border could soon find themselves being forced to move. A proposal bill would require current state, county, and municipal workers to establish residency in the state within 30 months of the passage of the bill. New employees would be required to move in state within four months of being hired. The measure additionally impacts employees of the educational system and would include state colleges. The proposal was drafted by State Senator Donald Norcross and Gov. Chris Christie has expressed his support.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie admits he misspoke on the campaign trail. Jesse Russell reports:

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By Doug Cunningham

Nurses and other SEIU healthcare workers trying to defend their health care benefits are being locked out for a week at Alameda County, California's two jails. Dona Chapman is a nurse who participated in a one-day strike Tuesday. The workers gave notice they would be staging a one-day strike to protest proposed cuts in their health care benefits. Prison Health Services responded with the one-week lockout when workers tried to return to work Wednesday.

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MP3:  winhead031010.mp3 Headlines:  Building Trades Urge Action on Ground Zero Construction - 03/10/10 NYC Inspections Focused More On Union Sites, Even Though They're Safer Than Non-Union - 03/10/10 Workers And Clergy Call On Oakland City Council To Vote Against Bank Interest Swaps - 03/10/10

By Doug Cunningham

Workers, union activists and clergy leaders Tuesday called on the city of Oakland to follow the Los Angeles example and vote to end interest rate swap financial deals by Wall Street and banks. The workers says such deals cost Bay area governments more than $150 million a year. They say loss of that money harms public services. The Oakland action comes after the Los Angeles CIty council unanimously voted to demand banks end the practice.

By Doug Cunningham

Even though most workers dying in construction accidents are on low-rise non-union worksites, New York City Buildings Department is still focusing more enforcement on union high-rise jobs. Lou Coletti is President of the Building Trades Employers Association. Coletti says on average over the years OSHA records show union high-rise jobs are far safer than non-union.
[Coletti]: “Seventy-five percent of the fatalities are on non-union jobs below ten stories.”

OSHA’s Regional Deputy Administrator is Richard Mendelson.

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Nine years since the World Trade Center attacks very little construction has happened at the site. Yesterday union workers who hope to be part of any future construction jobs gathered to call on New York City to start building. Jesse Russell reports:

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MP3:  SiKahntest.mp3 Transcript:  winhead012510.txt

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MP3:  winhead030910.mp3 Headlines:  President Obama Nominates Another Potential TSA Administrator – 03/09/10 Thousands of Protesters Expected At Insurance Industry Washington Gathering – 03/09/10 Oregon Activists Hope Fair Tax On The Rich Movement Will Spread – 03/09/10 Supreme Court Will Decide NASA Employee Privacy Issue – 03/09/10

Are background investigations of NASA employees a violation of privacy rights? The Supreme Court announced on Monday that it would take up a case asking that very question. It revolves around the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California where laboratory jobs are held by contract employees who are at risk of losing their jobs if they don’t submit to background investigations. Scientists, engineers, and other employees filed a lawsuit challenging the requirement.

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