More than 1,000 Teamsters rally to keep their ‘fundamental right’ to join a union
June 21, 2017 | Union members swarmed the Capitol steps Tuesday afternoon to voice their opposition to right-to-work legislation in Pennsylvania. The rally was organized by the Pennsylvania Conference of Teamsters and drew and estimated 1200 attendees ranging from Teamsters to Steelworkers and AFSCME members… pennlive.com

Memorial fund set up for victims of UPS San Francisco shooting
June 20, 2017 |  Teamsters Joint Council 7 in Northern California announced yesterday the establishment of a fund to help raise money for the families of the victims of the June 14 tragedy at the San Francisco UPS facility that resulted in the deaths of three members at the hand of their fellow driver. “We are encouraging our affiliates and our members to consider joining us in making a contribution to help the families who have been devastated by this terrible act,” said Ken Hall, Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer. Details here.

Chicago News Guild rebuffs attempt at print news monopoly
June 19, 2017 | Tronc, formerly known as Tribune Publishing, is looking to expand its media empire in the city of Chicago. The Chicago News Guild, the collective bargaining representative of the editorial staffs of the Chicago Sun -Times and Reader, has said that if Tronc is allowed to move forward unchallenged, the sale would result in an effective print news monopoly in the city. In an attempt to bring this issue to the grassroots, the Guild has started an online petition to ask the Dept. of Justice Antitrust Division to slow the sale and allow more time for potential bidders to come forward…peoplesworld.org

Podcast highlights Teamster fight against RTW
June 6, 2017 | In this month’s Teamster Nation podcast, learn more about our Union’s fight to help keep so-called right-to-work law at bay both in states around the country as well as at the federal level, and efforts to halt other anti-worker legislation across the country.

Older news items can be viewed at 888 News.

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Bronc nears $100 million US Weekly purchase Mar. 14, 2017 | Newspaper publisher Tronc may close on an acquisition of the celebrity news magazine Us Weekly as soon as next week, paying over $100 million, according to sources familiar with the potential purchase. Representatives for Tronc and Us Weekly didn't return calls seeking comment, but the sources said it's still possible the parties may not reach agreement on final terms… chicagobusiness.com Nonprofit journalism groups are gearing up with flood of donations Dec. 6, 2016  | …The postelection uptick in support for journalism has not been limited to nonprofit media; the newspaper conglomerate Tronc Inc. (formerly Tribune Publishing) and The New York Times, among others, have reported thousands of new subscribers since the election. But for the growing number of nonprofit journalism organizations, the moment may provide the kind of opening they have needed to take on a much larger role for a field that continues to face significant financial challenges and sinking public trust… nytimes.com Gannett ends its attempt to buy (Tribune Publisher) Tronc Nov. 1, 2016  | Gannett Co. has dropped its attempt to buy Tronc, Inc., ending a dramatic months-long pursuit by Gannett to extend its reach as the nation’s largest newspaper publisher amid a rocky revenue environment. The companies in private discussions had recently agreed on a purchase price of $18.75 a share in cash, according to people familiar with the matter…Tronc said the deal fell apart when Gannett couldn’t line up financing… wsj.com

Bronc nears $100 million US Weekly purchase Mar. 14, 2017 | Newspaper publisher Tronc may close on an acquisition of the celebrity news magazine Us Weekly as soon as next week, paying over $100 million, according to sources familiar with the potential purchase. Representatives for Tronc and Us Weekly didn't return calls seeking comment, but the sources said it's still possible the parties may not reach agreement on final terms… chicagobusiness.com

Nonprofit journalism groups are gearing up with flood of donations Dec. 6, 2016  | …The postelection uptick in support for journalism has not been limited to nonprofit media; the newspaper conglomerate Tronc Inc. (formerly Tribune Publishing) and The New York Times, among others, have reported thousands of new subscribers since the election. But for the growing number of nonprofit journalism organizations, the moment may provide the kind of opening they have needed to take on a much larger role for a field that continues to face significant financial challenges and sinking public trust… nytimes.com

Gannett ends its attempt to buy (Tribune Publisher) Tronc Nov. 1, 2016  | Gannett Co. has dropped its attempt to buy Tronc, Inc., ending a dramatic months-long pursuit by Gannett to extend its reach as the nation’s largest newspaper publisher amid a rocky revenue environment. The companies in private discussions had recently agreed on a purchase price of $18.75 a share in cash, according to people familiar with the matter…Tronc said the deal fell apart when Gannett couldn’t line up financing… wsj.com

	In Case You Missed It   • ‘Philando can be any of us.’   • Veto the cold-hearted health bill.   • U.S. workers are under attack, says new U.N. report.   • New Baltimore law protects subcontracted worker.   • Court: Non-majority union organizing can continue.   • Trump takes steps to undo Obama legacy on Labor.   • Grocery unions slam Amazon acquisition of Whole Foods.   • Trump takes employer’s side in Supreme Court class-action case.   • The Rick Smith Show: Where working people go to talk.

	NLRB Extends Worker Protections to Include Text Messages June 23, 2017 | ORGANIZING | Employers can now find themselves liable for unfair labor practice charges for text messages sent to workers during union organizing campaigns after a historic ruling by the nation’s top arbiter. The National Labor Relations Board unanimously ruled in RHCG Safety Corp. and Construction & General Building Laborers, Local 79 that a senior manager violated federal labor law after sending aggressive texts to a worker. “U working for Redhook or u working in the union?” the supervisor said in an exchange with a worker during the union campaign… freebeacon.com

	Grocery Unions Slam Amazon Acquisition of Whole Foods June 23, 2017 | JOBS | Leaders of U.S. unions reacted angrily to the news June 16 that Amazon will acquire Whole Foods for $13.4 billion. Stuart Appelbaum, president of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, called the deal a “disruptive and destructive battle between two of the nation’s leading low-road employers”—Amazon and Walmart—that “will leave workers with fewer jobs and lower wages.” Amazon is widely believed to have plans to cut costs by replacing cashiers with self-service checkout, although the company has denied that. “Amazon’s brutal vision for retail is one where automation replaces good jobs,” United Food and Commercial Workers President Marc Perrone said in a statement. Neither company has a good reputation for labor policies. Amazon warehouses hire workers through temp agencies to avoid responsibility for wages and conditions, and “pickers” have to walk more than 12 miles a shift and … laborpress.org

	Port Truck Drivers, Gig-Economy Workers Have Much In Common June 22, 2017 | MISCLASSIFICATION | In a good year, port truck driver Jose Portillo says he can rake in $80,000 a year. But the barrel-chested grandfather says he takes home only $25,000 after paying gas, insurance, taxes and rental fees for the big-rig he drives. Portillo is an independent contractor. He and other truck drivers, bemoaning that they don’t get vacation, overtime or workers’ compensation in case of an accident, have worked with the union to file a complaint against trucking companies, contending that they are really employees. The debate isn’t new. Since the deregulation drive of the 1980s, the contractor model has dominated the trucking industry. But truckers like Portillo now share the road and have much in common with a new brand of worker… presstelegram.com

	LA and Long Beach Port Workers Begin Striking June 20, 2017 | STRIKES | Around 60 truck drivers and warehouse workers serving the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports began striking terminals across the region Monday morning. The strike was called by the Teamsters union Local 848 t protest what it alleges is illegal subcontracting, misclassification and wage theft by trucking companies. This is the 15th strike by the port truck drivers in the last four years. The union contends that the workers are misclassified as independent contractors rather than employees, are not paid for all the hours they work and are forced to lease their trucks under abusive terms… latimes.com