Local Union News
Harold Giberson's Long Strange Trip with Pacificorp Share
As was previously reported, President Giberson was dismissed by Pacificorp, the employer of the members of Local 127, for personally intervening in a rate case then before the Wyoming Public Utility Commission. Read More

Welcome New Members of UWUA Local 433 Share
On Feburary 3, 2011, a Petition for Representation was filed with the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board. On April 14, 2011 employees of Pleasant Hills Borough, PA, had an election by secret ballot. Read More

American Water and HB 1294 Share
UWUA Local 537 opposes House Bill 1294 as it is currently written. As we read this thing, we keep in mind that PA already has a DSIC which it uses for reimbursements. In related news, Pennsylvania American Water filed an application with the PUC requesting an increase in rates for a typical residential customer. Read More

Labor News
Huge Congratulations and Gratitude to Nate Tamarin, Labor Liaison Share
The Utility Workers Union of America is deeply grateful to President Obama and to his Administration and the US military for the amazing and courageous action that rid the world of Osama Bin Laden. We congratulate the President and the entire Administration and military for this great, historic victory. Read More

Anti-Worker Bills
Obama Strongly Disapproves of Public Union Limits Share
President Barack Obama says he strongly disapproves of new laws restricting public employee unions in Ohio and Wisconsin, and says states should not use the financial crisis as an excuse to erode bargaining rights. Read More

Can You Help Tom Morello Help Workers? Share
Do you remember the last time a leading recording artist put out a labor EP? Our friend Tom Morello (formerly of Rage Against the Machine), the artist who has inspired audiences across the country, is releasing an exclusive, full album of union songs as an EP. And all the proceeds are going to help workers wage a heroic fight for their rights in the state battles through SaveWorkers.org (the AV Labor Unity Fund). Read More

Hilda Solis, Secretary of Labor, Comments on Financial Crisis Share
"Today, some governors are using the financial crisis as an excuse to take this country backward, instead of forward," Solis said in a ceremony at the agency's headquarters. "But we know American workers still want and need a voice at the table. We know collective bargaining gives them that seat." Read More

Political News
Irked at Democrats, Firefighters Suspend Federal Contributions Share
The International Association of Fire Fighters said it would focus its contributions on state and local races because many legislatures have sought to curtail collective bargaining. Read More

Public Pensions, Once Off Limits, Face Budget Cuts Share
When an arbitrator ruled this month that Detroit could reduce the pensions being earned by its police sergeants and lieutenants, it put the struggling city at the forefront of a growing national debate over whether the pensions of current public workers can or should be reduced. Read More

Medicare on the Chopping Block Share
House Republicans have passed a scorched-earth "budget" bill that puts your Medicare on the chopping block. This bill is fraud on the American people—not a starting point for debate or negotiations. Read More

Political Education (COPE) Share
Political attacks are being sponsored by anti-worker, anti-union politicians across our country challenging the legality of workers’ collective bargaining rights. These attacks on workers and the middle class require their participation in the political process. Workers' issues and concerns need strong advocates in both Washington and their respective state legislatures.

To assure that the message is heard loud and clear, Labor and their allies need to support, defend and hold accountable those elected officials who have pledged to support workers' rights to organize, collectively bargain and defend the hard won gains of previous generations of working women and men.

One way we can help as Utility Workers is to contribute to the UWUA National Committee on Political Education (COPE) Fund. To find more information about the UWUA COPE Fund and to learn how you can become a part of this worker advocacy effort, follow the link below:

UWUA COPE: http://uwua.net/cope/cope-committee-on-political-education.html

Human Rights
US Labor Dept Secures Court Ruling to Pay $1.6 Million to Workers Share
The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained a partial summary judgment requiring Hill Country Farms, doing business as Henry’s Turkey Service, and president Kenneth Henry to pay more than $1.76 million in back wages and liquidated damages for violating the minimum wage and overtime provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. The judgment partially resolves a lawsuit filed by the Labor Department following an investigation by the Des Moines District Office of its Wage and Hour Division. Read More