Hey everyone, here's an update about the worker's strike going on in Chicago from the People's Weekly World Newspaper, 12/11/08

On Saturday a group of 250 unionized workers peacefully shut down the Republic Windows and Doors plant after they were given 3 day’s notice that their factory was closing. They were also told that they would not be getting their severance packages or their vacation pay.

I've been fortunate enough to join some of the YP4 staff here at the Netroots Nation Conference in Austin, Texas. One of the goals I shared with other YP4 attendees was connecting with other leaders in the progressive movement who have used the blogsphere as a means of pushing our respective social concerns, particularly racial/gender/economic justice. While my main passion lies in healthcare reform and inequalities in health, based on my personal experience and academic/civil work, I recognize the need to learn about other areas, including the environment, workers' rights, access to affordable higher education, and how they affect our nation's health.

Inside:

     - Iranian Students Protest President Ahmadinejad

     - South African Students Protest Tuition Hike, Are Met With Rubber Bullets

     - Israeli Blockade Stops Students from Leaving Gaza for School

     - Another Student Union Signs Onto the ASSÉ Strike Plan

Inside:

- Iranian Students Protest President Ahmadinejad


- South African Students Protest Tuition Hike, Are Met With Rubber Bullets


- Israeli Blockade Stops Students from Leaving Gaza for School
 


- Another Student Union Signs Onto the ASSÉ Strike Plan

Staffers on Tyra Bank's reality show America's Next Top Model (or ANTM for those of us in the know) are looking to join a union, specifically the Writer's Guild of America.  Problem is, executives don't want to recognize these staffers on a reality show as "writers," despite the fact that they clearly organize each episode's 41 minute "script" through editing 200 hours of raw footage line by line into (incredibly) entertaining stories that compel viewers (admit it-- you can't stop watching).  

[More after the fold.]

If you haven't read the profile in the July 31, 2006 issue of USA Today on Richard Berman, do so. Although I must say that Jayne O'Donnell let him off a bit easily at the end of the article portraying him as a curmudgeonly sort who believes in what he is doing and who sees himself as an advocate for free choice. But there's much more to this story- one more serious issue conveniently undercovered by the corporate media.