Labor

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Workers Demand Union Organizing Rights as Starbucks Closes 600 Stores

Airs at: Mon, 06/30/2008 at 5:00pm
Produced for:  Evening News
The Seattle-based Starbucks coffee company announced today that the company will close six hundred stores throughout the U.S. According to the company, the stores scheduled for closure are unprofitable.  The company hopes to increase earnings by ... Read more

Healthcare Premiums up 35% July 1st

Airs at: Sun, 06/29/2008 at 5:00pm
Produced for:  Healthwatch
One year ago Regence Blue Cross raised rates by an average of 19%. This year's increase is a whopping 35% scheduled to take effect on July 1. Britta Duncan, co-chair of Jobs with Justice' Healthcare Committee and Secretary/Treasurer of ILWU Local 5 will join host Martha Odo... Read more

Paper Mill Re-hires Workers: But No Contract

Airs at: Tue, 06/24/2008 at 5:00pm
Produced for:  Evening News
An Oregon paper mill which was sold off in bankruptcy proceedings last month will re-hire half the workers that were fired – but without a Union contract. When Pope and Talbot paper mill in Halsey went bankrupt last month, 180 workers lost their... Read more

Carpenter's Union Pickets Gray Purcell for Not Paying Standard Wages

Airs at: Sun, 06/22/2008 at 5:00pm
Produced for:  Evening News
A group of local union carpenters held a picket this morning outside of a condo construction site on East Burnside. The workers say that Gray Purcell, the company building the site, refuses to pay a standard wage. KBOO's Jenka Soderberg was there, and spoke with Cliff Pucket... Read more

Old Mole Variety Hour for June 23, 2008

Airs at: Sun, 06/22/2008 at 5:00pm
Produced for:  Old Mole Variety Hour
Along with the music of  the late Utah Phillips, this show, hosted by Tom Becker, feature a Bill Resnick interview about the support for parents of young children in European countries in contrast with what  parents in the US must face.  Frann Michel reviews a series of fem... Read more

Remembering Utah Phillips

Airs at: Mon, 06/23/2008 at 5:00pm
Produced for:  Old Mole Variety Hour
Host Tom Becker reviews the life of labor activist and folk singer Utah Phillips and plays some of his songs.    Read more

PDX Labor History Bike Tour

Airs at: Tue, 06/24/2008 at 5:00pm
Produced for:  Old Mole Variety Hour
Bill Resnick talks with Bryan Johnson, a labor historian, about the bike tour of Portland sites that are part of Portland's radical labor history.  It's part of  Pedalpalooza.  Read more

Parenting in Europe and the US

Airs at: Sun, 06/22/2008 at 5:00pm
Produced for:  Old Mole Variety Hour
Professor Marcia Meyers is with the West Coast Poverty Center and has studied the vast differences between raising children in the US with almost no public support and being a parent in Europe where that support is strong.  She shares her conclusions in this conversation wi... Read more

Day Labor Site Opened June 16th: Benefits and Issues

Airs at: Sun, 06/15/2008 at 5:00pm
Produced for:  Evening News
Portland’s city-supported day labor hiring site opened early today. Supporters say the day labor site is intended to protect workers from employers who have denied wages, not given breaks or otherwis... Read more

Day Labor Site Opening Ceremony: Justin Shear Speaks

Airs at: Thu, 06/12/2008 at 5:00pm
Produced for:  Evening News
Portland’s long-awaited day labor center is having its grand opening ceremony right now.  The Center will open for business on Monday, and will be open for all day laborers, regardless of their immigration status. Justin Shear represents Voz, the group which will administer t... Read more