By Workers Independent News

As recently as late February, President George W. Bush has been saying that he doesn’t believe the economy is slipping into a recession:

[Bush]: "I don’t think we're headed toward a recession, but no question that we’re in a slow down."

When it comes to those vying for the position currently held by Bush, he pretty much stands alone. Democratic Presidential contenders, Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, have made it very clear on the campaign trail and in debates that they believe that the economy is on a downward slope toward a recession. And on Friday, Republican Presidential nominee Senator John McCain joined the chorus at a townhall in Atlanta:

By Doug Cunningham

[Al From]: "It would ensure that the basic right to freely choose collective bargaining is maintained."

Al From of the Democratic Leadership Council, announcing the DLC’s support for the Employee Free Choice Act. The labor reform reinforces and protects workers’ rights to form unions by allowing them to simply sign certified union cards. AFL-CIO President John Sweeney says the labor reform already has support from 215 members of the U.S. House and 43 U.S. Senators.

[John Sweeney]: "The Employee Free Choice Act is the most significant federal legislative proposal in nearly thirty years to protect our most basic and important workplace right."

By Jesse Russell

Senator Hillary Clinton of New York has issued a letter to President George W. Bush seeking a summit to address the "crisis facing automakers and their suppliers." The largest auto parts supplier in the US, Delphi, filed for bankruptcy on October 8, General Motors posted a $1.63 billion third quarter loss and Ford posted a $284 million loss on Thursday. In the letter, Clinton said the summit should cover healthcare issues and address foreign competition. The letter was released as the United Auto Workers made concessions to GM that retirees would pay more for healthcare and to reduce the future wages of current workers by $1 an hour.

By Doug Cunningham

Democrats who vote for CAFTA risk not only the wrath of organized labor but the loss of labor political money and support. That’s the message delivered by AFL-CIO leaders and reiterated here in Chicago by AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer Rich Trumka.

[Trumka] : “It’s even a step backwards from NAFTA because of the poor workers rights provisions it contains. That’s why workers here in Central America and here are protesting. We will look at very, very very seriously anybody who vote’s against it. Right now, I can’t tell you that we wouldn’t.
But I can’t imagine us being willing to support anybody that votes against us, because it’s so bad. If you vote for CAFTA, then you’ll vote for anything that ever came up because , this, there are no workers rights, no environmental rights and no human rights protections.”