Right to work passes Missouri Senate, moves back to House

Columbia Missourian Online, January 26, 2017

The Senate’s version of the legislation has been sent to the House, which already voted in favor of a similar bill earlier this session. Republican leadership plans to continue fast-tracking the measure.

Right to Work clears first hurdle in New Hampshire

PR Newswire Online, January 26, 2017

Last week, the GOP-controlled Senate took the first steps down the Right to Work path in passing the latest anti-union bill 12-11, on nearly a party line vote.

Patrick Pizzella Named Acting FLRA Chairman

fedsmith.com, January 25, 2017

The new Acting Chairman of the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) is Patrick Pizzella. He was designated by President Trump as Acting FLRA Chairman on January 23, 2017.

Union membership falls to 10.7 percent

Washington Examiner Online, January 26, 2017

The Bureau of Labor Statistics data marked the continuation of a long-term trend of thinning union ranks. In 1983, the first year the department started tracking the number, the unionization rate was 20.1 percent, accounting for about 17.7 million workers.

Mayor Walsh downplays new defense documents tied to extortion case

Boston Herald Online, January 25, 2017

Mayor Martin J. Walsh brushed aside today a new court filing that shows he attended two meetings with a Boston Calling concert promoter that two of his aides are charged with trying to extort to hire union labor.

Giant inflatable union rat is getting a promotion in N.Y.

New York Daily News Online, January 25, 2017

The rat, often displayed at construction sites by disgruntled unions, is part of the official definition of “job action” under Gov. Cuomo’s plan to revive an affordable housing tax credit for developers.

Out of touch public-sector unions getting rude awakening on pensions

Orange County Register Online, January 25, 2017

Unions didn’t share Brown’s opinion that pensions should reflect “time actually worked,” and sued the state in an effort to maintain the sweet pension perk. They pointed to a longstanding set of court precedents — collectively known as the “California Rule” — that prohibit state and local governments from reducing pension promises to current workers.

Trial date set for 4 Teamsters accused in ‘Top Chef’ run-ins

Boston Herald Online, January 27, 2017

The four were indicted on charges of attempted extortion and conspiracy to extort in connection with a June 10, 2014, picket outside a Milton restaurant where filming for the hit Bravo show “Top Chef” was taking place. After trying to force their way onto the set and block others from accessing it, they allegedly yelled racial and homophobic slurs at the crew and others, threatened the cast and shouted profanities.