Here are some stories of interest to working people:
Hate Crimes
Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance Responds to Tragic Shooting in Olathe, Kansas
AFRO, February 28, 2017
The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO (APALA) is deeply saddened and disturbed by the shooting of two South Asian men in Olathe, Kansas, which left one man dead. Our hearts go out to families of Alok Madasani and Srinivas Kuchibhotla and the communities impacted by the hateful rhetoric and violence that led to this tragic incident. “We are deeply saddened by the loss that our brothers and sisters in Olathe face today,” stated Johanna Puno Hester, APALA National President and Assistant Director of the United Domestic Workers, AFSCME Local 3930.
Library Workers
How Libraries Are Fighting Fake News
By Liz Farmer, Governing, February 28, 2017
The president himself has shared fake news on social media and accused credible, mainstream media outlets, such as CNN and The New York Times, as being fake news. All this has led to a discussion among public libraries -- charged with promoting education, literacy and culture in their communities -- about what their role should be in helping citizens navigate this overwhelming information landscape. … Across the country, libraries are tackling the subject in various ways.
Income Inequality
Shaky Jobs, Sluggish Wages: Reasons Are at Home
By Eduardo Porter, New York Times, February 28, 2017
… by obsessing over how the manufacturing jobs of the 1970s were lost to globalization, Mr. Trump is missing a more critical workplace transformation: the vast outsourcing of many tasks — including running the cafeteria, building maintenance and security — to low-margin, low-wage subcontractors within the United States. This reorganization of employment is playing a big role in keeping a lid on wages — and in driving income inequality.
Pensions
About one million American workers have pension plans on verge of insolvency
By Ginger Adams Otis, New York Daily News, February 28, 2017
Nearly 1 million working and retired Americans are currently covered by pension plans that are in imminent danger of insolvency, according to an organization trying to help people keep their retirement earnings. The union pension funds have been designated as being in “critical and declining status” — which means trustees are eligible to apply for cuts on their payouts.