Topic: Labor Unions

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Briefing
IRS 101: Seven questions about the tea party scandal

The Internal Revenue Service is under the microscope now, as revelations have emerged that the agency wrongly targeted conservative groups seeking nonprofit status. Here’s an accounting of what has happened, along with the ramifications.
Immigration reform: where things stand now

As congressional negotiators approach their self-imposed targets of early April to lay out immigration reform legislation, some notorious sticking points appear to be more well-settled than others.
6 reasons why President Obama will defeat the NRA and win universal background checks

Something is going to happen this session in the US Congress that hasn’t happened in more than a decade: The National Rifle Association (NRA) is going to lose on a top priority issue. Here are six reasons why President Obama will win a victory on universal background checks.
How to create a better food system in 2013 (+video)

Our worldwide food system needs an overhaul. Here are 13 steps to change food policies and improve lives.
Election 2012: 12 reasons Obama won and Romney lost

President Obama went into his reelection fight facing significant head winds – most important, high unemployment and slow economic growth. But for a multitude of reasons, including Obama’s positives and Republican challenger Mitt Romney’s negatives, Obama succeeded. Here’s our list.

All Content

Maggie Gyllenhaal in 'Won't Back Down' takes on public schools

'Won't Back Down': a hot-button topic, but too many holes.
NFL referee lockout: 4 issues keeping replacements on the field

Fans, coaches, and players keep grumbling, but replacement referees are still officiating in the NFL as the regular officials remained locked out. . Here are the 4 factors keeping union refs and the NFL from reaching a deal – and leaving the replacements to botch calls through another weekend.
Chicago teachers strike ends, but political fallout is just beginning

With the strike, teachers fought back against reforms that they say come hand-in-hand with vilifying teachers. But the strike also exposed rifts in the Democratic Party over education policy that had never been put in such stark relief.
Chicago strike: It's back to school as teachers accept key reforms (+video)

Mayor Rahm Emanuel hailed the agreement ending the Chicago school strike as 'an honest compromise.' The union made concessions on both teacher evaluations and seniority. Schools reopen Wednesday.
As strike goes on, parent support wavers for Chicago teachers

Signs are mounting that parent support for striking Chicago teachers, which has been strong, is eroding the longer the strike lasts. Union will decide later Tuesday whether to accept the contract that would end the strike.
Chicago teachers strike: Why Rahm Emanuel's court gambit may backfire (+video)

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Chicago Public Schools on Monday asked a court for a temporary injunction that would end the teachers strike immediately. They are taking a calculated risk that the move won't actually slow resolution of the conflict.
Strike-ending 'framework' in place for Chicago teachers as Big Labor flexes muscle

Union influence may have waned, but organized labor planned to rally in Chicago on Saturday to support what appear to be two rare union victories in Chicago and neighboring Wisconsin.
Judge tosses Wisconsin union reform: Why judges are dismantling the GOP agenda

A judge has ruled against Wisconsin’s controversial collective bargaining law. Across the country, state and federal judges are weighing whether the 2010 Republican surge led to legislative overreach.
Karen Lewis: Fiery Chicago Teachers Union chief takes on wrath of Rahm (+video)

An Ivy League union organizer with deep ties to Chicago's community activists, Karen Lewis is emerging as the new face of resistance to a national education reform movement. She's a match for Mayor Rahm Emanuel's storied temper, backers say.
Why do Election 2012 swing states matter? 5 resources to explain.

Looking for better analysis on swing states? D.C. Decoder has compiled a list of excellent resources to help you understand the impact swing states really have.
Chicago teacher strike: Talks to end strike make progress

Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis said the sides had definitely come closer together.
Chicago teachers strike: Illegal under Illinois law?

Illinois state law could bar teachers from striking on anything except pay and benefits, but the Chicago teachers strike is also about class size, job security, and teacher evaluations. Mayor Rahm Emanuel can take the union to court – but at a risk.
Chicago: Why is the teachers strike ongoing? (+video)

Both sides in the Chicago teachers strike reported progress on Tuesday, but not enough to keep the strike from continuing into Wednesday. Teacher evaluations and the role of school principals are major issues in dispute.
Chicago strike: Parents support teachers, but for how long? (+video)

Parents in Chicago are marching with the city's teachers, but some wonder how long this support will last if children are forced to miss days or weeks of school because of the strike. The teachers union has made efforts to inform parents about their position.
Why Obama wants Chicago teachers strike to go away – fast

The Chicago teachers strike, which exposes a Democratic Party rift between support for unions and for the education reforms backed by Obama, could hardly come at a worse time for the president.
In Chicago strike, teachers draw a line on education reform (+video)

A key question in Chicago's first teacher strike in a generation is whether teachers will accept new rules on education reform issues ranging from teacher evaluations to seniority.
Romney criticizes Chicago teachers, sides with parents (+video)

Mitt Romney, the Republican presidential nominee, said the teachers striking in Chicago aren't putting their students first.
Chicago teachers strike: Is Rahm Emanuel's test a challenge for Obama?

The Chicago teachers strike takes the struggle over union demands to a bastion of Democratic control, a concern for Mayor Emanuel and President Obama, who will need union support in November.
The Monitor's View: The Chicago teachers strike in an era of accountability

The Chicago teachers strike isn't only about pay and work hours. The union also opposes merit pay and stricter evaluation of teachers. The strike's outcome will influence the future of a national movement for accountability of public school teachers.
Chicago strike: Teachers picket outside schools (+video)

Chicago strike: Chicago has its first public school teacher strike in 25 years. Some 26,000 teachers and support staff were expected to the picket. What will 400,000 children do today?
Negotiations between teachers union, Chicago School Board down to the wire (+video)

Almost 30,000 teachers and staff members could strike Monday if a deal is not struck between the teachers union and the school board in Chicago. The strike is over proposed reforms by Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
Retailers prepare for possible ports strike next month

A dock workers union may authorize a strike at the end of September if a contract deal isn't reached. The strike would affect ports up and down the East Coast.
Briefing
Obama vs. Romney 101: 5 ways they differ on jobs

Whether Mitt Romney or Barack Obama occupies the White House in January, one of them will have to deal with more than 12 million jobless Americans, or a little over 8 percent of the total workforce. Where do the candidates stand on issues relating to jobs?
Michigan battleground: Unions push to protect rights at the ballot box

A Michigan appeals court Wednesday considers the proposed 'Protect Our Jobs' measure, which would preserve collective bargaining rights. Unions want to get it onto the Nov. 6 ballot – and into the state constitution.
With end of long strike at Caterpillar, a blow to US labor movement

Machinists striking against Caterpillar since May 1 have voted to accept a new labor contract that calls for concessions on benefits and a virtual freeze on wages. It's not much to cheer for manufacturing workers, analysts say.