brandworkers's blog

American Rights at Work, a pro-employee non-profit, has a piece exposing the "Coalition for a Democratic Workplace", an anti-worker front group funded in part by the Retail Industry Leaders Association. (American Rights at Work)

RILA is quick to attack any progressive initiative that benefits workers whether it's making corporate trade deals more fair or reforming labor law.

The Coalition for a Democratic Workplace was created to oppose a piece of proposed legislation called the Employee Free Choice Act because it believes that the Act will increase union membership and therefore cut into the profits of its corporate backers. The legislation adds another method for workers to signify their interest in certifying a union: signing an authorization card.

UPDATE (05/13/2008): Burger King exec. is ousted over anti-worker Internet smear campaign. (Associated Press) The question remains whether Burger King CEO John Chidsey ordered the operation.

Writing in the New York Times, Eric Schlosser decries corporate spying against advocates for social change including Burger's King spying operation against the Student/Farmworker Alliance. Schlosser calls for a congressional investigation of the increasing use of spying programs by multinational corporations. (New York Times)

Updated May 1, 2008: Bloomindale's and RWDSU Local 3 Reach Tentative Agreement; Strike averted but negotiations will continue over health care, a contentious issue in every negotiation because of runaway costs in a broken health care system. (RWDSU)

RWDSU Local 3 members at Bloomingdale's in NYC have authorized a strike should it be necessary to push back the high-end department store's demand for concessions. (RWDSU)

95 out of 100 retail workers in the United States do not have the benefit of the collective strength of a labor union. It's critical to support the retail workers fortunate enough to be organized both for the sake of their families and as a model of what decent retail work would look like for workers considering unionizing.

In these incredibly difficult economic times, Bloomingdale's can expect a vigilant and fed up citizenry if they choose to provoke a strike.

Researcher Jeff Ballinger challenges the Nike social responsibility myth in Vietnam. A worthwhile read as on the ground information regarding Vietnamese manufacturing facilities is not easily accessible. (Counterpunch)

Some retailers including Foot Locker, Shaper Image, and Levitz are faltering as the economy declines. (New York Times)

Expect workers to feel the brunt of the sting as executives continue to rake in the big bucks.

In a shameful move, the large electronics retailer Circuit City fired all of its senior sales staff just over a year ago. After a "cooling-off period", the 3,400 full-time workers were offered part-time jobs with lower wages, reduced benefits, and insecure work schedules.

What good did firing all of its senior staff do for Circuit City? The company is as battered as ever, doing its best to avoid a takeover bid from the rental chain Blockbuster. Blockbuster is now taking its offer directly to Circuit City shareholders. (New York Times)

The New York Times has a piece on the killing of unionists in Colombia which is one of the factors getting in the way of U.S. President George W. Bush's attempt to push through a corporate-free trade agreement with Colombia. Among the dead this year are bank employee and union leader, Leonidas Gomez. (New York Times)

The atrocious harassment allegedly included a, "...supervisor biting the breasts and grabbing the buttocks of the [young women], making numerous sexual comments, as well as offers of favors in exchange for sex." (EEOC)

Have you been sexually harassed at your fast food job? Brandworkers Legal Defense-Plus can help.

Home Depot, Borders, and Target are among the large retailers getting attention from hedge funds and private equity groups. This is an ominous sign for workers as these lightly regulated investment vehicles have a track record of disregard for labor rights and community impact. (The Deal.com)

But Olbermann is not satisfied yet. He's going after Wal-Mart to compensate Debbie Shank for her legal nightmare.

Go Keith Go!

If you missed the CNN piece breaking the story of Debbie Shank, it's here.