Work & the Economy
Baldwin, Grothman, Fitzgerald urge feds to investigate Chinese firm on Wis. company’s behalf
A bipartisan congressional team has gone to bat for a small Wisconsin manufacturer that won a federal lawsuit against a Chinese furniture giant accused of stealing its intellectual property. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and U.S. Reps. Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah) and Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) joined in letters to three federal agencies urging action against Man Wah […]
A union firebrand in the 1970s and ‘80s sees labor’s future in his past
Jon Melrod has written a memoir that tells a slice of labor history in Kenosha, Wisconsin, four decades ago. But he believes his story, “Fighting Times,” which goes on sale Tuesday, has broader appeal. “It’s everybody’s story — everybody who’s ever worked, who’s ever worked for a bad boss or under bad conditions,” said Melrod, […]
Despite GOP opposition, new law delivers lower energy costs, jobs, security
In Wisconsin and across the country, we are facing a four-pronged challenge related to energy – rising costs, questions about how to capitalize on the clean energy economy, climate change and our nation’s energy security. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 – the bill recently passed by Congress and signed by President Biden – is […]
Faith leaders urge minimum wage hike, expanded child tax credit as Congress nears recess
WASHINGTON — Faith leaders pressed Congress to pass voting rights legislation, a $15 minimum wage and a permanent expansion of the child tax credit during a Thursday briefing on Capitol Hill. “Poverty is a policy choice,” Rev. Dr. William Barber, co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign, said to lawmakers. Barber, who is the pastor of […]
Small business advocacy group joins National Voter Registration Day campaign
Among the collection of organizations and political figures highlighting National Voter Registration Day on Tuesday, members of a group representing small business owners added their voice to the campaign. The message is nonpartisan, but also aimed at showing politicians the power that small business operators have, said Shawn Phetteplace, midwest manager for Main Street Alliance. […]
Medical bills they thought were covered sock dissolved company’s former employees
When Yvonne Rhead got foot surgery in May, she expected that her bill would be covered by the health insurance she had with her former employer. Instead, she’s gotten nothing so far — and a $40,000 bill is staring her in the face. Rhead spent 22 years working for Hufcor Inc., a Janesville-based manufacturer of […]
GOP leaders target ‘woke’ investments through state pension funds
Republicans in state capitals across the country are targeting an investing concept known as environmental, social and corporate governance criteria, or ESG for short. Describing these investment criteria as “woke” and “misguided activism,” GOP officials argue that by taking these factors into account when making investment choices, financial institutions are putting ideology ahead of making […]
As rural homelessness increases, HUD aims money at helping people without access to shelters
The Department of Housing and Urban Development has opened up millions of dollars in funding for groups serving unhoused people in rural areas — an unprecedented move by the agency, say housing advocates. People living in cars, parks, and on the street at night, which the agency labels unsheltered homelessness, has increased across the nation, […]
UW Health, nurses reach agreement on resolving question of union rights
UW Health, nurses and the union seeking to represent them have agreed to a legal process to establish whether the hospital system can recognize and bargain with a union. Hospital and union representatives along with Gov. Tony Evers announced the deal Monday — averting a threatened three-day walkout by nurses that was to begin Tuesday […]
Union organizers share their experiences as the economy shows workers their power
A half-dozen activists were wrapping up a 90-minute conversation Wednesday when Conner Erickson offered his tip to people trying to organize a union where they work. “Frustration is an incredibly strong weapon that spreads rapidly,” said Erickson. “Reassuring folks that their frustrations are not theirs alone — that does a lot for a worker who’s […]
Audit bureau report finds broadband grant program lacked oversight
Broadband service providers that received millions of dollars in federal grants to expand internet access across Wisconsin were not required to document how much they actually spent on those projects, according to a report released earlier this month by the Legislative Audit Bureau. The bureau looked at the more than $100 million the state Public […]
Biden makes a hit with union workers in Labor Day visit to Milwaukee
Under bright sunshine at Milwaukee’s first official Labor Day celebration since 2019, President Joe Biden rallied 6,000 union members in a speech that lived up to the holiday’s unofficial role: kicking off the final stretch of the fall election campaign season. Biden’s speech, delivered at Laborfest on the Milwaukee Summerfest grounds, was an opportunity for […]