March 4, 2006

AFL-CIO charts election strategy, forms new partnership with NEA.
SAN DIEGO — A rainbow seemed to appear amid the gloomy clouds of disunity hanging over the U.S. labor movement when the National Education Association and the AFL-CIO announced a new partnership at the federation’s executive council meeting here Feb. 27. The NEA, with 2.8 million members, is the nation’s largest union. It has always been independent of the AFL-CIO.

En español AFL-CIO anuncia nueva unidad laboral

WASHINGTON — As irrepressible as jazz itself, the people of New Orleans and many tourists celebrated Mardi Gras along Bourbon Street in the French Quarter last week.But the usual mood, “Laissez les bons temps rouler” (Let the good times roll), was replaced by an undercurrent of anger spiced with humor.

Veterans, hurricane survivors walkin’ to New Orleans
Four men, 241 miles and a call to end bloodshed

‘No funding for NYU!’ grad students demand
Spring break union-style
Boot camp for counter-recruitment
Teen mayor takes on town challenges
YCL to hold Midwest conference

The Republican-led U.S. Senate has started debate on establishing a new system of servitude for imported labor through a proposal to massively expand categories of “non-immigrant workers,” complete with repressive structures to transition undocumented workers into the system and keep them under tight control.

En español Nuevo projecto de inmigración: Un plan para la explotación

The bombing of Iraq’s Askariya mosque, Feb. 22, shattered a 1,200-year-old shrine especially revered by Shiites. Its huge golden dome, now wrecked, dominated the landscape of Samarra, a predominantly Sunni city. Built 100 years ago, it covered the ancient tombs of the 10th and 11th Imams, considered holy descendants of the Prophet Muhammad. Another dome marks the spot where the 12th and last Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi, is believed to have vanished in 878. Much like the Jewish Messiah, believers say Mahdi will return to restore justice to the world

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — The recent sale of Peninsular and Oriental Steamship Navigation Company (P&O), which operates a number of East Coast U.S. ports, to Dubai’s state-owned DP World has raised a political firestorm directed at the White House. Critics charge that the company would threaten U.S. security. Two of the 9/11 hijackers came from the United Arab Emirates, of which Dubai is a constituent part.

LOMBARD, Ill. — The 6th Congressional District covers the western suburbs of Chicago. With its sprawling housing developments, warehouses, office complexes, light manufacturing plants and endless malls, it has become a national battleground to fill the open seat vacated by retiring Republican Rep. Henry Hyde. A Democratic victory could help break the Republican grip on Congress.

ST. PAUL, Minn.: ‘Public services not for sale’
DETROIT: Sputtering economy hits home
COOPERSTOWN, N.Y.: Women break into Hall of Fame
WASHINGTON: Long hours increase truck accidents
MILWAUKEE: Police arrest can collectors

Some 1,500 demonstrators marched from Houston’s Galleria shopping center to Grady Park Feb. 26 in a “March for Dignity and Respect” opposing Rep. James Sensenbrenner’s (R-Wis.) virulently anti-immigrant HR 4437, many provisions of which are included in a new bill by Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.).