Free Republic

Of all the attacks on our civil society, the attacks on evidence-based science pose perhaps the greatest existential threat. Decisions being made about climate science and environmental protection at this critical time will shape the future of our planet. Advances in research are produced by the twin pillars of dedicated scientists and an activated citizenry who demand that the best science be applied to today’s most pressing problems. Because scientists produce the facts that expose the lies currently being purveyed, the tip of the spear is pointed at the heart of science-based policy and research. But the imminent threat also...

AFGE laments the Senate’s alteration of rules to push through Judge Neil Gorsuch WASHINGTON – In response to the U.S. Senate enacting the so-called “nuclear option” on the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court, American Federation of Government Employees National President J. David Cox Sr. issued the following statement:“It is disappointing to see Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell change the rules of the Senate to allow for a simple majority vote on Supreme Court nominees now and in the future. He has rolled back long-standing Senate rules and traditions to lower the bar for Judge Gorsuch’s...

After spending big on Clinton, Obama, SEIU now facing steep budget cuts Labor giant Service Employees International Union spent $60 million on politics and lobbying as well as $19 million on the Fight for 15 movement in 2016, and now finds itself laying off headquarters staff. The union's federal filing to the Department of Labor reveal that it experienced marginal growth in 2016, adding about 15,000 members from 2015. However, that increase did not correlate with financial growth as revenue fell by $17 million, fueling a $10 million budget deficit. The union, which represents healthcare and public sector workers, spent...

As with much in the first weeks of the incoming Donald Trump administration, there was a last-second move to delay regulations years in the making. In this case, the Department of Labor fiduciary rule... As it stands, retirement savers lose $17 billion a year just in fees paid to advisors and funds. The vast majority of investors then fail to match the stock market indexes because of those same fees. The fiduciary rule doesn't dictate lower-cost advice. Nor does it remove expensive actively managed funds from the marketplace. Rather, it requires anyone who sells retirement advice for a living to...

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics union membership hit an all-time low in 2016 of just 10.7 percent. That decline has consequences for unions like the AFL-CIO, which Bloomberg reports is dismissing dozens of staff members: The AFL-CIO is dismissing dozens of staff members as part of a restructuring amid continuing declines in union membership and fresh political threats to labor rights. “We will have to end support for some programs that don’t go to our core priorities,” said AFL-CIO spokesman Josh Goldstein, who declined to discuss the number of staff affected. “This is about reimagining and realigning our...

For Immediate Release AFSCME Pres. Lee Saunders on New Immigration Rules WASHINGTON — AFSCME Pres. Lee Saunders issued the following statement on the Department of Homeland Security’s new rules on enforcing executive orders on immigration:“The rules announced today for implementing President Trump’s executive orders amount to nothing short of mass deportation. Instead of seriously addressing comprehensive immigration reform, this administration is throwing communities into chaos and fear.“America is made stronger by the generations of immigrants who have come here willing to work hard, play by the rules and pay their fair share — no matter where they are from. Today’s steps threaten...

Corruption: Is it a coincidence that the two Trump Cabinet picks Democrats mounted their fiercest campaigns against happen to be the two that labor unions most wanted to go down in flames? Hardly. Senate Democrats were so determined to do the bidding of the teachers unions and block Betsy DeVos as Education secretary that they held an all-night session in which they railed against her, in the hopes that this would convince one more Republican to oppose her nomination. Having failed to achieve that goal, Democrats immediately turned their ire to the other Big Union target, President Trump's pick to...

Politico reported on Monday that many influential Democrats are floating Labor Secretary Thomas Perez as a possible running mate for Hillary Clinton, despite his history of scandals. Perez endorsed Clinton in December and has campaigned for her in recent weeks. Political insiders speculate that Perez would help Clinton shore up portions of the liberal base that she has lost to her socialist rival, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.), in nearly half of the primaries. Perez would also bring diversity to the ticket, since both Clinton and Sanders are elderly white people.

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka made the following statement about last week’s immigration executive orders:President Donald Trump has announced three executive orders addressing immigration that are an affront to core union and American values. Building a wall on our border, scapegoating immigrants and refugees, and shutting out people of Muslim faith will do nothing to uplift working people in our country. To the contrary, these orders sow fear of raids among workers, promote racial profiling and erode core constitutional protections. As such, they are a clear attack on our members, and elevated fear is a direct obstacle to workers’ rights to...

The America-First winning is exponential.   Union leadership met today with a pro-jobs, pro-growth, pro-USA president.  Leadership from construction/manufacturing, pipe fitters, steel workers and industrial machinist unions met today with President Trump and exit the meeting with incredible praise for the respect he showed them.

Tyler DurdenJanuary 23, 2017Zero HedgeShortly after Donald Trump made good on one of his core campaign promises on Monday morning by signing an executive order formally withdrawing the U.S. from the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade deal, Trump told labor union leaders that he would renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement "at the appropriate time." The remarks came at the start of a meeting at the White House with leaders of construction, carpenters, plumbers and sheet metal unions, during which Trump pledged to stop trade deals that harmed American workers. According to the White House, participants included North America's Building Trades...

Executive Order slashing federal workforce will trigger increase in costly contractors WASHINGTON – Donald Trump is backtracking on campaign pledges to create American jobs and cut wasteful government spending by issuing an executive order to freeze federal employee hiring across the country, which will result in more work being outsourced to more expensive contractors, the American Federation of Government Employees said today.“President Trump’s action will disrupt government programs and services that benefit everyone and actually increase taxpayer costs by forcing agencies to hire more expensive contractors to do work that civilian government employees are already doing for far less,”...

President Donald Trump met Monday at the White House with leaders of construction, carpenters, plumbers and sheet metal unions, the White House said. According to the White House, participants included North America's Building Trades Unions President Sean McGarvey, Laborers' International Union of North America President Terry O'Sullivan, SMART sheet metal workers' union President Joseph Sellers, United Brotherhood of Carpenters President Doug McCarron and Mark McManus, president of the United Association that represents plumbers, pipefitters, welders and others. The union meeting also included several local union officials and follows a gathering of 12 chief executives of large companies at the White...

The vast majority of Americans, no matter their candidate of choice, voted to rewrite the economic rules that have for too long left working people weaker and poorer. When it comes to the economic security of our families and communities, one of the most important decisions every incoming president must make is choosing who will serve in his or her Cabinet. These are immensely powerful positions that have a direct say on everything from wages to workplace safety to consumer protection to good schools to health and retirement security.

The Executive Council of the 12.5 million member AFL-CIO has voted overwhelmingly to endorse Representative Keith Ellison to lead the Democratic National Committee. Over the last few weeks, several candidates have sought the endorsement of the AFL-CIO and met personally with members of the Political Committee, which ultimately recommended the endorsement.“Representative Ellison meets the high standard working people expect from leaders of our political parties,” said AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. “He is a proven leader who will focus on year-round grassroots organizing to deliver for working families across America. Under his leadership, the Democratic Party will embody the values that...

The AFL-CIO endorsed Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) to take over a Democratic National Committee (DNC) that was rocked by scandal during the 2016 campaign season. “Ellison meets the high standard working people expect from leaders of our political parties,” AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said Thursday in a statement. “He is a proven leader who will focus on year-round grassroots organizing to deliver for working families across America. Under his leadership, the Democratic Party will embody the values that our members stand for every day.” Ellison is seen as an early frontrunner in the race for DNC chairman, having secured union...

Democrats weren’t the only ones who lost big on Election Day. Labor unions lost in key states across the country in November. Having already had their power in several states constrained following the 2010 mid-terms, labor unions will now be forced to play defense in more states legislatures where Democrats have faltered anew. Democrats lost control of the state House in Kentucky and the state Senate in Iowa. They also lost gubernatorial control in Missouri and New Hampshire. All four states will be under a Republican trifecta starting in 2017 – meaning their governors’ mansions and legislative chambers will be...

After losing a lawsuit and facing a $7.8 million dollar judgment, Service Employees International Union Texas, alias SEIU District Five, has declared bankruptcy in order to escape the judgment. The plaintiff is going after the national union, as it should, so stand by lots more court appeals, But so far, the SEIU is losing at every step. Bill McMorris has an excellent account of the case and its background, at the Free Beacon. I recommend it. The bare bones of the story of this case paint a picture of a thuggish organization, in my opinion. It expanded into Texas by...

In the wake of Donald Trump winning the presidency after a campaign that often targeted and scapegoated immigrants, Latinos and Muslims, the AFT has pledged to take concrete action to assist these groups, with a particular emphasis on assisting and defending undocumented students. AFT President Randi Weingarten said AFT will "do everything in our power to stop any kind of action against our immigrant families, our Muslim families, our Latino families and especially our undocumented students."Specifically, she said that the AFT will: Support cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and others as they reaffirm sanctuary status...