Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Court to Rule on Drug Testing for Teachers
RALEIGH — A state appeals court will decide whether Graham County Schools can subject teachers and other employees to random tests for drug and alcohol use. Three judges heard arguments Monday in a challenge by a Robbinsville High School teacher that has held up the start of the random tests. The district continues to test employees upon hiring or suspicion of drug use under an old policy that seemed to at least one judge to be enough protection.
Collective Bargaining Meeting in Fayetteville
First meeting of Fayetteville team for public employee collective bargaining
Monday December 8 at 6pm
Office of APWU Local 984 (2606 Rayford Road suite 11 - opposite Chris' Steakhouse and upstairs)
Light snacks provided
Please RSVP if possible!
919-491-6936
This coming Monday, December 8, we will be having the first meeting of a Fayetteville area team to work for collective bargaining for public employees. You have probably signed our letter to legislators (at nchope.org.) Now it is time to come together and take action to regain bargaining rights for state and local employees. Please join your neighbors at the APWU office at 6pm this coming Monday to discuss what steps can be taken locally to advance collective bargaining in NC. Please invite everyone you know who might be interested.
Read more about the coalition at www.nchope.org.
And please call me at the number below with questions. Here are some possible actions to consider, just to get you started thinking about what might be strategic and doable in Fayetteville.
Thank you for your support!
Possible actions:
Meeting with the local legislative delegation
Meeting with city council
Meeting with county commissioners
Educating your local or organization
Inviting more community organizations to join the team / sign the letter to legislators
Meeting with editorial boards
Writing letters to the editor
Hosting educational public events (with public employees speaking)
Speaking to the media about collective bargaining
Collective bargaining visibility at local events
Chelsea Earles
HOPE Organizer/Administrator
919-491-6936
Hear Our Public Employees Coalition
PO Box 12133
Raleigh, NC 27605
Sign our letter to legislators at www.nchope.org!
Monday December 8 at 6pm
Office of APWU Local 984 (2606 Rayford Road suite 11 - opposite Chris' Steakhouse and upstairs)
Light snacks provided
Please RSVP if possible!
919-491-6936
This coming Monday, December 8, we will be having the first meeting of a Fayetteville area team to work for collective bargaining for public employees. You have probably signed our letter to legislators (at nchope.org.) Now it is time to come together and take action to regain bargaining rights for state and local employees. Please join your neighbors at the APWU office at 6pm this coming Monday to discuss what steps can be taken locally to advance collective bargaining in NC. Please invite everyone you know who might be interested.
Read more about the coalition at www.nchope.org.
And please call me at the number below with questions. Here are some possible actions to consider, just to get you started thinking about what might be strategic and doable in Fayetteville.
Thank you for your support!
Possible actions:
Meeting with the local legislative delegation
Meeting with city council
Meeting with county commissioners
Educating your local or organization
Inviting more community organizations to join the team / sign the letter to legislators
Meeting with editorial boards
Writing letters to the editor
Hosting educational public events (with public employees speaking)
Speaking to the media about collective bargaining
Collective bargaining visibility at local events
Chelsea Earles
HOPE Organizer/Administrator
919-491-6936
Hear Our Public Employees Coalition
PO Box 12133
Raleigh, NC 27605
Sign our letter to legislators at www.nchope.org!
December Student Support Services E-Newsletter
The December Student Support Services E-newsletter is attached. This document should be opened with adobe reader. If you are unable to open the newsletter, it will be posted to the website this week at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/studentsupport/enewsletter/.
Monday, December 1, 2008
The Election is Over, What's Next?
NASW-PACE had a successful election with close to 90% of our endorsed candidates winning their election. This was due in large part to our members who responded to our call for volunteering on the campaigns. Thank you for that.
In addition to notifying our members about endorsed candidates through targeted e-mails, NASW-PACE held eight phone banks September through November. Volunteers called nearly 3,000 members in New Hampshire, North Carolina, Maine, Minnesota, Colorado, and Maine, considered key states for the Senate and for the presidential elections. NASW-PACE endorsed 238 candidates for the House and Senate and Barack Obama for President.President-elect Barack Obama wants to hear from you. You can influence his administration by providing your experiences and your ideas here. Make sure that you mention you are a social worker and member of the National Association of Social Workers
In addition to notifying our members about endorsed candidates through targeted e-mails, NASW-PACE held eight phone banks September through November. Volunteers called nearly 3,000 members in New Hampshire, North Carolina, Maine, Minnesota, Colorado, and Maine, considered key states for the Senate and for the presidential elections. NASW-PACE endorsed 238 candidates for the House and Senate and Barack Obama for President.President-elect Barack Obama wants to hear from you. You can influence his administration by providing your experiences and your ideas here. Make sure that you mention you are a social worker and member of the National Association of Social Workers
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Child Labor Crackdown
Child labor crackdown promised
Officials say fines must be tougher increased needed
(Charlotte Observer, Nov 13, 2008)
Federal and state lawmakers said this week they will push to strengthen the government's power to keep youths out of dangerous jobs and punish employers who violate child labor laws.
In Washington, some members of Congress want to beef up child labor inspections. In Raleigh, some legislators -- along with the current and incoming governors -- said they will move to stiffen fines for violating child labor laws. The maximum penalty of $250 per violation in North Carolina hasn't changed in nearly three decades.
"The employment of underage workers in high-risk, physically dangerous jobs as uncovered by the Charlotte Observer is alarming," Governor-elect Beverly Perdue said. "The need is clear -- there must be tougher enforcement of our state's child labor laws and stiffer penalties for any business or industry caught breaking them."
Their comments came in response to Charlotte Observer stories this week showing that federal child labor enforcement has declined, despite new evidence that employers are ignoring the laws. As part of its investigation, the Observer interviewed more than 20 current and former House of Raeford Farms workers who said the poultry company often hired underage workers.
Gov. Mike Easley said he would instruct his staff to try to address the problems before he leaves office in January.
"It's hard to believe that's going on in this century and in this state," he said. "You're really talking about a form of child abuse here. We're not a state that wants children abused and endangered."
More inspectors
With a stronger majority in Congress and their party's candidate preparing to enter the White House, Democrats say they will soon find it easier to make federal workplace safety changes.
U.S. Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D- Calif., who heads the House Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, said she'll push to increase the number of inspectors who can investigate child labor complaints and update rules to keep juveniles out of hazardous jobs.
"Your story, I thought, was just heartbreaking," said Woolsey, who held a hearing in September about federal efforts to protect working children. "Nobody should face dangerous working conditions -- particularly our children. ...We have a great deal of work to do."
Federal child labor investigations have dropped by nearly half since fiscal year 2000.
Recent studies have found that a large percentage of young workers are taking on jobs deemed unsafe for people their age. On a typical day, more than 400 juveniles are hurt on the job.
Stiffer state fines
In North Carolina, state Senate leader Marc Basnight said he has directed his staff to work with the N.C. Department of Labor and the Attorney General to look at the issues the newspaper raised. He questioned whether the state's $250 fine was enough.
"You could be penalized more for throwing trash out the window than you could for abusing the laws that are in place as it pertains ... to kids and young folks," he said. "And that should not be."
State Rep. Paul Luebke, a Durham Democrat, called for stiffer penalties and oversight of the Department of Labor, headed by Commissioner Cherie Berry, a Republican.
"This could require some legislation if she doesn't do more on her own," said Luebke, who heads the House Finance Committee.
Berry said it's up to the General Assembly to amend child labor laws, but she's willing to work with legislators.
Berry, recently elected to her third term, said her department has limited authority to investigate large employers for child labor violations, and said that parents have the "ultimate responsibility" to determine what type of work their children do.
Officials say fines must be tougher increased needed
(Charlotte Observer, Nov 13, 2008)
Federal and state lawmakers said this week they will push to strengthen the government's power to keep youths out of dangerous jobs and punish employers who violate child labor laws.
In Washington, some members of Congress want to beef up child labor inspections. In Raleigh, some legislators -- along with the current and incoming governors -- said they will move to stiffen fines for violating child labor laws. The maximum penalty of $250 per violation in North Carolina hasn't changed in nearly three decades.
"The employment of underage workers in high-risk, physically dangerous jobs as uncovered by the Charlotte Observer is alarming," Governor-elect Beverly Perdue said. "The need is clear -- there must be tougher enforcement of our state's child labor laws and stiffer penalties for any business or industry caught breaking them."
Their comments came in response to Charlotte Observer stories this week showing that federal child labor enforcement has declined, despite new evidence that employers are ignoring the laws. As part of its investigation, the Observer interviewed more than 20 current and former House of Raeford Farms workers who said the poultry company often hired underage workers.
Gov. Mike Easley said he would instruct his staff to try to address the problems before he leaves office in January.
"It's hard to believe that's going on in this century and in this state," he said. "You're really talking about a form of child abuse here. We're not a state that wants children abused and endangered."
More inspectors
With a stronger majority in Congress and their party's candidate preparing to enter the White House, Democrats say they will soon find it easier to make federal workplace safety changes.
U.S. Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D- Calif., who heads the House Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, said she'll push to increase the number of inspectors who can investigate child labor complaints and update rules to keep juveniles out of hazardous jobs.
"Your story, I thought, was just heartbreaking," said Woolsey, who held a hearing in September about federal efforts to protect working children. "Nobody should face dangerous working conditions -- particularly our children. ...We have a great deal of work to do."
Federal child labor investigations have dropped by nearly half since fiscal year 2000.
Recent studies have found that a large percentage of young workers are taking on jobs deemed unsafe for people their age. On a typical day, more than 400 juveniles are hurt on the job.
Stiffer state fines
In North Carolina, state Senate leader Marc Basnight said he has directed his staff to work with the N.C. Department of Labor and the Attorney General to look at the issues the newspaper raised. He questioned whether the state's $250 fine was enough.
"You could be penalized more for throwing trash out the window than you could for abusing the laws that are in place as it pertains ... to kids and young folks," he said. "And that should not be."
State Rep. Paul Luebke, a Durham Democrat, called for stiffer penalties and oversight of the Department of Labor, headed by Commissioner Cherie Berry, a Republican.
"This could require some legislation if she doesn't do more on her own," said Luebke, who heads the House Finance Committee.
Berry said it's up to the General Assembly to amend child labor laws, but she's willing to work with legislators.
Berry, recently elected to her third term, said her department has limited authority to investigate large employers for child labor violations, and said that parents have the "ultimate responsibility" to determine what type of work their children do.
Pelosi Speaks of Possible End to Worksite Raids
CONGRESS DAILY: PELOSI TRIGGERS BATTLE OVER POSSIBLE END TO WORKSITE RAIDS
(Strohm, 2008)
House Speaker Pelosi has touched off a new round of fighting over whether the Homeland Security Department should continue to stage controversial raids of worksites around the country. That may foreshadow a dispute that could move front and center when the new Congress convenes in January.
Pelosi indicated at a news conference Wednesday that she supports an end to worksite enforcement operations nationwide by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which is part of the Homeland Security Department. She said the urgency of putting together comprehensive immigration reform legislation has been intensified by the raids. "How do we end the ICE raids, have a situation where we can end the ICE raids as we put together the comprehensive immigration reform?" she asked.
She did not offer a timeline for the Democratic-led Congress to take up comprehensive immigration legislation. In response to additional questions, a Pelosi spokesman said the speaker has long expressed concerns that the Raids are ineffective and "unnecessarily divide families at the expense of children." The aide added: "As the speaker clearly stated during her press conference last week, she supports a bipartisan solution that protects our borders, enforces our laws, unites families and creates a path to legalization." But such comments already have come under fire by Republican lawmakers who believe worksite enforcement actions are a valuable tool to dissuade employers from hiring illegal workers. "The last thing we should be talking about is ending ICE raids. We need more enforcement, not less,"
said House Homeland Security ranking member Peter King. House Judiciary ranking member Lamar Smith also weighed in. "Instead of criticizing, the Speaker should be commending ICE for protecting American jobs by ensuring that they don't go to illegal immigrants, targeting identity thieves and holding employers accountable," Smith said. "I'm troubled that the speaker seems to be more concerned with the welfare of illegal immigrants than of the U.S. citizens who have to compete against them for jobs."
The rift between Pelosi and GOP lawmakers underscores tensions that persist over immigration issues, which now fall into the lap of President-elect Obama. A coalition of immigration advocates has scheduled a news conference Tuesday to call on Obama to institute a moratorium on ICE raids when he takes office in January. Some GOP congressional aides said they worry that Obama will appoint a new ICE director who will not make worksite enforcement raids a high priority - a move they believe would be a major mistake. Immigration advocates said they were encouraged by Pelosi's comments last week. "I think that her statement showed a real recognition that the raids that we've seen in the last few months have been largely ineffective," said Grisella Martinez, legislative director for the National Immigration Forum. The raids are a byproduct of a failed immigration system that needs to be revamped, she said.
But those who support strict enforcement of the nation's immigration laws hope Obama's administration will not end worksite operations. Roy Beck, president of NumbersUSA, which favors reduced immigration, notes that Obama's presidential campaign Web site outlines support for employer sanctions. "To remove incentives to enter the country illegally, we need to crack down on employers that hire undocumented immigrants," the Web site said. But the site offered no additional information, other than a statement that Obama supports legislation to create a new employment eligibility verification system "so employers can verify that their employees are legally eligible to work in the U.S."
For more information please refer to:
www.farmworkerjustice.org
adervartanian@farmworkerjustice.org
(Strohm, 2008)
House Speaker Pelosi has touched off a new round of fighting over whether the Homeland Security Department should continue to stage controversial raids of worksites around the country. That may foreshadow a dispute that could move front and center when the new Congress convenes in January.
Pelosi indicated at a news conference Wednesday that she supports an end to worksite enforcement operations nationwide by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which is part of the Homeland Security Department. She said the urgency of putting together comprehensive immigration reform legislation has been intensified by the raids. "How do we end the ICE raids, have a situation where we can end the ICE raids as we put together the comprehensive immigration reform?" she asked.
She did not offer a timeline for the Democratic-led Congress to take up comprehensive immigration legislation. In response to additional questions, a Pelosi spokesman said the speaker has long expressed concerns that the Raids are ineffective and "unnecessarily divide families at the expense of children." The aide added: "As the speaker clearly stated during her press conference last week, she supports a bipartisan solution that protects our borders, enforces our laws, unites families and creates a path to legalization." But such comments already have come under fire by Republican lawmakers who believe worksite enforcement actions are a valuable tool to dissuade employers from hiring illegal workers. "The last thing we should be talking about is ending ICE raids. We need more enforcement, not less,"
said House Homeland Security ranking member Peter King. House Judiciary ranking member Lamar Smith also weighed in. "Instead of criticizing, the Speaker should be commending ICE for protecting American jobs by ensuring that they don't go to illegal immigrants, targeting identity thieves and holding employers accountable," Smith said. "I'm troubled that the speaker seems to be more concerned with the welfare of illegal immigrants than of the U.S. citizens who have to compete against them for jobs."
The rift between Pelosi and GOP lawmakers underscores tensions that persist over immigration issues, which now fall into the lap of President-elect Obama. A coalition of immigration advocates has scheduled a news conference Tuesday to call on Obama to institute a moratorium on ICE raids when he takes office in January. Some GOP congressional aides said they worry that Obama will appoint a new ICE director who will not make worksite enforcement raids a high priority - a move they believe would be a major mistake. Immigration advocates said they were encouraged by Pelosi's comments last week. "I think that her statement showed a real recognition that the raids that we've seen in the last few months have been largely ineffective," said Grisella Martinez, legislative director for the National Immigration Forum. The raids are a byproduct of a failed immigration system that needs to be revamped, she said.
But those who support strict enforcement of the nation's immigration laws hope Obama's administration will not end worksite operations. Roy Beck, president of NumbersUSA, which favors reduced immigration, notes that Obama's presidential campaign Web site outlines support for employer sanctions. "To remove incentives to enter the country illegally, we need to crack down on employers that hire undocumented immigrants," the Web site said. But the site offered no additional information, other than a statement that Obama supports legislation to create a new employment eligibility verification system "so employers can verify that their employees are legally eligible to work in the U.S."
For more information please refer to:
www.farmworkerjustice.org
adervartanian@farmworkerjustice.org
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