Self-employed independent contractors in the Golden State can neither form unions nor negotiate collective bargaining pacts, but part of those conditions could soon change, according to Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego). Gonzalez, Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Women
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Unlike the ninety percent of American workers who have only their own personal voice to influence their wages, benefits and working conditions, union employees use their collective organization to establish guarantees. And, union workers come to negotiations very well prepared
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What can happen when voters use electoral politics to raise the minimum wage? For one thing, some mainstream media can go on the attack by editorializing in coverage that poses as “news.” Take, for example, ABC Channel 10’s recent television
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There’s a new fad sweeping the nation. It’s called “Educational Accountability.” Here’s how it works. If your neighborhood school can’t afford to pay its bills, just close it. That’s right. Don’t help. Don’t look for ways to save money. Don’t
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A recent headline in Berkeleyside reads, “Mokka to Close: Minimum Wage rise a Major Factor”  Mokka is a cafe  on Telegraph Avenue, just two blocks south of Ashby Avenue. Since the minimum wage issue is on the agenda of the
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On Monday the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association, a lawsuit that targets Abood v. Detroit Board of Education, a nearly 40-year cornerstone of labor-management relations. At stake is the principle that, although public employees
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The therapists, counselors, and social workers at Kaiser Permanente in California have won a magnificent victory. In a last minute retreat, in the face of an open-ended strike, Kaiser, the giant California health care corporation, settled with 1400 workers and
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Our union represents more than a quarter million hotel, food service and gaming industry workers who make at most $50,000 per year in wages and benefits. The majority of UNITE HERE’s members are women and immigrants. Most drive modest family
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