Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Today's Teamster News 02.15.12

Florida Prison Privatization Dies on Senate Floor  The Bradenton Herald   ...As more and more Senators from both sides of the aisle began to question whether it was a good idea to displace more middle-class Floridians from their jobs, especially when there seemed to be little to no evidence that it would have the budget-solving impacts that its proponents promised, a critical mass began to build, leading to Tuesday's negative vote...
Payroll-tax cut, unemployment benefits: Tentative deal reached  Politico   ...A tentative deal reached by senior House and Senate leaders, which appears poised to pass absent a last-minute snag, would prolong a payroll tax cut that benefits 160 million Americans, extend unemployment benefits and forestall rate cuts to doctors who treat Medicare patients...
Greece and the return of the economic 'death spiral'  The Guardian   ...The lesson of 2008 was that stimulus prevented a new Great Depression. Without similar drastic help, Greece will now default...
Teamsters union eyes Hostess strike if judge cuts pensions  Associated Press   ...The Teamsters union said Monday that its members at Wonder Bread and Twinkies maker Hostess Brands have voted to authorize a strike if a bankruptcy judge approves the company's request to cut their health care and pension benefits...
Teamsters strike Red Cross of Northern Ohio  WTAM1100   ...Dozens of blood collection workers and mobile unit assistants for the American Red Cross in Northern Ohio are in front of the Red Cross building on Euclid Avenue holding signs that say "Red Cross Unfair. Tainted with Greed."...
Teamsters ratify contract at Memphis Kroger distribution center  Memphis Commercial Appeal   ...Kroger said the new agreement includes high-quality, affordable health care, company-funded pensions and wage increases, determined by local supplemental agreements, over three years...
Teamsters protest meddling by papers' ownership  Philadelphia Daily News   ...About 50 Teamsters protested in front of the Daily News and Inquirer building yesterday, complaining that company managers imperiled "journalistic integrity" - and therefore Teamster jobs - by meddling last week with news stories about the sale of Philadelphia Media Network.