Labor

Geneva -- 24 September 2008 -- A new study says tackling climate change could create millions of new jobs in both developed and developing countries. At the same time, the report warns there will be job losses in certain sectors as countries adjust to the shift from fossil fuel to renewable energy. The International Labor Organization, the U.N. Environment Program and the International Organization of Employers produced the study.

A worker stands in a photovoltaic solar power plant, which is under construction, next to the village of Buchloe near Landsberg am Lech, southern Germany, 18 Jun 2008
A worker stands in a photovoltaic solar power plant, which is under construction, next to the village of Buchloe near Landsberg am Lech, southern Germany, 18 Jun 2008    » read more »

August 12, 2008 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci issued the following statement after learning of Irving Forest Products’ intent to permanently close the Pinkham Sawmill located in Nashville Plantation.

“This is a significant blow to the hard-working families and the surrounding communities,” said Governor Baldacci. “I have instructed the Maine Department of Labor’s Rapid Response Team to be deployed to the town to address the concerns of those impacted by the closure. A session with workers will occur as soon as possible.”

About 60 workers are expected to be impacted.

Source: Maine Governor

August 12, 2008 -- As John McCain continues his "Job-Killing John" tour in Pennsylvania today, it's clearer than ever how out of touch he is with working Americans. McCain is insulated from the economic struggles of most Americans.

As Americans face the consequences of seven months of job losses and spiraling energy costs, John McCain, who owns seven houses, has said that there has "been great progress economically." Perhaps it's not surprising then that John McCain is so out of touch with the struggles facing Americans today that he actually has said that the nation's economic problems are merely "psychological" and why he is calling for more of the same failed Bush policies and politics that have already cost thousands of Americans their jobs.    » read more »

August 11, 2008 -- John McCain is in Pennsylvania today on a so-called "jobs tour," promoting more of the same Bush economic policies that have been a disaster for the state. From supporting corporate tax breaks at the expense of tax breaks for middle class Americans, to proposing billions of dollars in new deficit spending, to advocating for unfair trade deals that have helped his lobbyist friends but led to a loss of over 44,000 jobs in Pennsylvania alone, the McCain Bush economy is the last thing Pennsylvania needs.    » read more »

August 11, 2008 -- With John McCain embarking on a so-called "jobs tour" aimed at hiding his job-killing record, the Democratic National Committee today released a new web video called "Job-Killing John" that highlights his pattern of putting his lobbyist friends ahead of Americas' workers.

The video comes days after the leak of an internal McCain campaign memo that shows McCain will attempt to distort the record by falsely portraying Senator Obama as a "job killing machine." In reality--from opposing Buy American rules to supporting unfair trade deals that have cost America hundreds of thousands of jobs--John McCain has repeatedly supported policies that outsource American jobs.    » read more »

August 11, 2008 -- Chicago, IL - Today Senator Barack Obama made the following statement on the contract agreement between Verizon Communications Inc., Communications Workers of America, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

"I want to congratulate Verizon, CWA and IBEW for reaching an agreement that will provide tens of thousands of workers with the good pay, health care, and benefits they deserve. And I want to commend Verizon for recognizing the good work that union members can do for their company."

Source: Barack Obama campaign

August 7, 2008 -- Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement in reaction to the Department of Labor’s announcement today on weekly jobless claims. The Department reported that first time claims for unemployment benefits rose to 455,000 – the highest number since the 2001 recession.:

“President Bush’s failed economic policies continue to take their toll on Americans as more workers have filed for unemployment benefits this week than at any time since the 2001 recession. After seven years of Bush Administration economic policies that have rewarded those at the very top at the expense of middle class Americans, we need a New Direction economic plan that strengthens job creation and renews the American Dream.    » read more »