The Men Have Families to Support

 

The Men Have Families to Support

By Ann Telnaes
From the Cartoonist Group.

The Men Have Families to Support

Technorati Tags: Ann Telnaes,opinion,political cartoons,political satire,equal rights,equal pay

Dow Chemical to slash 5,000 jobs, close 20 plants

NEW YORK – Dow Chemical Co. said Monday it will slash 5,000 full-time jobs — about 11 percent of its total work force — close 20 plants and sell several businesses to reign in costs amid the economic recession.
The company, one of the largest chemical makers in the world, expects the moves to save about $700 million per year by 2010. Dow also will temporarily idle 180 plants and prune 6,000 contractors from its payroll.
“We are accelerating the implementation of these measures as the current world economy has deteriorated sharply, and we must adjust ourselves to the severity of this downturn,” Chief Executive and Chairman Andrew N. Liveris said in a statement.

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Have you ever worked for Wal-Mart?

By William Landers -

“When you have your evaluation each year, you get a very small raise. Then they cut your hours back so that you don’t make anymore take home than you did before."-M.L. in Illinois



An employee of Wal-Mart, M.L. in Illinois is the author of one of the many stories featured on “Wal-Mart Employees Speak Out.” The eye-opening account details a typical experience working for a company that constantly cuts corners with its employees and makes life harder for them.

Because M.L. and thousands of others are speaking out, we are able to expose the poor working conditions at Wal-Mart and ramp up the pressure on the company to change its ways - one way or another.

Last year the Walton family earned more than $30 billion last year… because the average Walmart employee only earned $19,200. WalMart saves money by paying its workers low wages so the Walton family can live better.

Are you a current or former Wal-Mart employee? If so, even if you don’t want to reveal your name or tell a story, we’d like to know so we can learn from you.

editor@ameriborn.com

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Laid-Off Workers Occupy Chicago Factory

CHICAGO, Dec. 6 -- Workers laid off from their jobs at a factory have occupied the building and are demanding assurances they'll get severance and vacation pay that they say they are owed.

About 250 employees of Republic Windows and Doors began their sit-in Friday, the last scheduled day of the plant's operation.
Leah Fried, an organizer with the United Electrical Workers, said the Chicago-based vinyl window manufacturer failed to give 60 days' notice required by law before shutting down.
Workers also were angered when company officials didn't show up for a meeting Friday that had been arranged by Rep Luis V. Gutierrez (D-Ill.), she said.
During the peaceful takeover, workers have been shoveling snow and cleaning the building, Fried said.
"We're doing something we haven't since the 1930s, so we're trying to make it work," Fried said.

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Obama Pledges Massive Public Works Program (VIDEO)

President-elect Barack Obama said Saturday he's asked his economic team for a recovery plan that saves or creates more than 2 million jobs, makes public buildings more energy-efficient and invests in the country's roads and schools.



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Obama Statement On Nov.Job Losses

President-elect Barack Obama, in a released statement, on the 533,000 jobs lost in November:

"The 533,000 jobs lost last month, the worst job loss in 34 years, is more than a dramatic reflection of the growing economic crisis we face. Each of those lost jobs represents a personal crisis for a family somewhere in America. Our economy has already lost nearly 2 million jobs during this recession, which is why we need an Economic Recovery Plan that will save or create at least 2.5 million more jobs over two years while we act decisively to maintain the flows of credit on which so many American families and American businesses depend.
"There are no quick or easy fixes to this crisis, which has been many years in the making, and it's likely to get worse before it gets better. But now is the time to respond with urgent resolve to put people back to work and get our economy moving again. At the same time, this painful crisis also provides us with an opportunity to transform our economy to improve the lives of ordinary people by rebuilding roads and modernizing schools for our children, investing in clean energy solutions to break our dependence on imported oil, and making an early down payment on the long-term reforms that will grow and strengthen our economy for all Americans for years to come."

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