United Mine workers hold prayer vigil outside courthouse | ksdk.com:
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note: did not attend this one
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Monday, April 29, 2013
St. Louis-based Patriot Coal's bid to cut benefits set for hearing | KMOV.com St. Louis
St. Louis-based Patriot Coal's bid to cut benefits set for hearing | KMOV.com St. Louis:
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ST. LOUIS -- A coal company is poised to argue to a federal bankruptcy judge that it needs to significantly cut health care and pension benefits for its union workers, who protest the move.
Attorneys for Patriot Coal Corp. and the United Mine Workers of America were to argue the matter Monday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in St. Louis.
St. Louis-based Patriot filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last summer.
Court set to hear Patriot Coal, mine workers dispute : Business
Court set to hear Patriot Coal, mine workers dispute : Business:
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In what has become a familiar sight this spring, thousands of current and retired coal miners will rally in the streets of downtown Monday morning to protest wage and benefits cuts proposed by Patriot Coal Corp. as part of the company’s bankruptcy.
As usual, there will be signs, speeches by United Mine Workers of America President Cecil Roberts, and maybe even more arrests.
The key difference between this demonstration and previous ones is that at the same time union members assemble outside the courthouse, a judge will convene a hearing, the outcome of which could affect their lives for years to come.
Efforts to reduce costs from union labor contracts and retiree benefits is just one of many issues in a large, complex bankruptcy, but one that’s pivotal for the company and thousands of its employees and retirees.
Patriot, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in July, says it has cut costs “to the bone.” It closed unprofitable mines, altered contracts and leases and slashed its workforce as well as pay and benefits for nonunion employees, managers and executives.
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good turn out of granite city folks.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Thursday, April 25, 2013
The ‘Paycheck Protection’ Racket: Tilting the political playing field toward corporate power and away from working Americans | Economic Policy Institute
The ‘Paycheck Protection’ Racket: Tilting the political playing field toward corporate power and away from working Americans | Economic Policy Institute:
Missouri paycheck decption bill mentioned
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Missouri paycheck decption bill mentioned
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On close examination, it is clear that these bills will not create new rights for Missouri employees, and will significantly tilt the political playing field by enabling unlimited corporate political spending while restricting political spending of organized workers.
- Neither SB29 nor HB64 will provide Missouri employees with any new rights that they do not possess under existing law. Under federal law, unions may contribute to congressional or presidential campaigns only through a political action committee funded through separate, voluntary contributions by individual union members. Furthermore, unions’ campaign contributions at the state level—and more general political activities such as lobbying, issue advocacy, ballot initiative campaigns, and independent union advocacy in support of particular candidates—cannot use dues from any individual who objects to these priorities. In other words, it is already the case that under both federal and state law, no employees—whether in the private sector or the public—can be forced to pay to support a political cause they oppose.
- In voicing its support for HB64, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce claims that, under current law, “employees who pay union dues have no say whether campaign contributions are taken out of their dues, or where those contributions are directed” (Missouri Chamber of Commerce 2013). This is false: All union members have a voice in how dues contributions are used, and any employee who doesn’t want his or her dues used for politics is free to either withhold that portion of dues (in the private sector) or withhold the entire dues payment (in the public sector).
- While providing no new rights, SB29 and HB64 would impede union political activity with extensive and onerous bureaucratic roadblocks that would waste valuable resources and hamper unions’ ability to respond to political attacks against labor rights.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Monday, April 22, 2013
Earth Day 2013: The Face of Climate Change
Earth Day 2013: The Face of Climate Change:
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this is voice of america production
An estimated one billion people around the world mark Earth Day each April 22, making this environmental celebration one of the largest civic observances on the planet. At its hub is the Earth Day Network, the not-for-profit organization whose founders launched the first Earth Day in 1970. The Network has helped promote the event ever since. This year’s theme is "The Face of Climate Change." As VOA’s Rosanne Skirble reports, the campaign harnesses the Internet and social media to create a worldwide digital display of people, places and wildlife that have been affected by climate change.
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this is voice of america production
An estimated one billion people around the world mark Earth Day each April 22, making this environmental celebration one of the largest civic observances on the planet. At its hub is the Earth Day Network, the not-for-profit organization whose founders launched the first Earth Day in 1970. The Network has helped promote the event ever since. This year’s theme is "The Face of Climate Change." As VOA’s Rosanne Skirble reports, the campaign harnesses the Internet and social media to create a worldwide digital display of people, places and wildlife that have been affected by climate change.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
mineworker action april 29th, 2013
On Monday, April 29, 2013 the UMWA will hold another in a series of rallies that have been held in support of retirees of Patriot Coal (a spin-off from Peabody Coal). Peabody/Patriot is seeking the elimination of miners’ retiree benefits in bankruptcy court. The Rally will begin at Keiner Plaza (7th and Market Street) in downtown St. Louis starting at 10 am.
Leo Gerard and Jim Robinson urge USW members and retirees to support these efforts of UMWA. Members of SOAR and USW members have participated in previous rallies. The April 29 event will be the largest rally to date.
Please make plans to attend this rally and urge your members, retirees, and Union supporters who you know to do the same.
A bus provided by Sub District 2 will transport those who want a ride to the rally. If you want to take the bus, plan on being at the parking lot of the Labor Temple at 20th and State Street in Granite City, Illinois at 8:00 am. The bus will leave at 8:30 am. It is expected that the bus will return to the Labor Temple by noon that same day. You can also take the Metro Link to the 8th and Pine Station. Keiner Plaza is 1 block south and 1 block east of the exit from the 8th and Pine Metro Link Station.
Make plans now to be a participant in this important St. Louis Labor Solidarity event!
Friday, April 19, 2013
Dangerous Koch Bros Pipeline Leaks
old one, but still true today if sources correct. also major dumping flaps in australia
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Nixon Rallies with Supporters to Push Medicaid Expansion « CBS St. Louis
Nixon Rallies with Supporters to Push Medicaid Expansion « CBS St. Louis:
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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Rallying with one of the largest crowds of the year at the Missouri Capitol, Gov. Jay Nixon urged activists on Tuesday to implore reluctant Republican lawmakers to expand Medicaid coverage to hundreds of thousands of lower-income adults.
The Democratic governor headlined a nearly hour-long pep rally that his administration says drew more than 1,000 people to the Capitol a crowd so large that some state employees were asked to park their vehicles elsewhere Tuesday to make way for the busloads of rally participants. The event featured business leaders, doctors, pastors and police officers, all lending their support to the Medicaid expansion called for under President Barack Obama’s health care law.
The Militant - April 22, 2013 -- Mine workers build actions to confront Patriot Coal attack on retirees, union
The Militant - April 22, 2013 -- Mine workers build actions to confront Patriot Coal attack on retirees, union:
click link for full
BY SETH GALINSKY
The United Mine Workers union is stepping up its fight against Patriot Coal Corp.’s efforts to use bankruptcy to gut pensions and health care benefits for thousands of working and retired miners and to tear up union contracts.
The union is calling for miners and others to join in demonstrations in St. Louis on April 16 and again when bankruptcy hearings begin there April 29. More than 6,000 miners and supporters marched in Charleston, W.Va., April 1, the largest mobilization of miners in many years.
Peabody Energy Corp. — the largest privately owned coal company in the world — created Patriot Coal in 2007 by spinning off all its union operations east of the Mississippi.
Patriot took on 40 percent of Peabody’s pension and health care liabilities, but just 13.3 percent of its coal reserves.
“Spin-off Creates Multiple Benefits for Peabody,” reads a headline in one of the company’s financial publications in 2007, referring to the company’s jettisoning responsibility for pension and health benefits for some 8,400 retired miners and their families.
In 2008 Patriot bought Magnum Coal, a spinoff from Arch Coal, the second-largest U.S. coal company. Now, more than 90 percent of “Patriot” retirees never worked for Patriot Coal.
In July 2012 Patriot filed for bankruptcy.
click link for full
BY SETH GALINSKY
The United Mine Workers union is stepping up its fight against Patriot Coal Corp.’s efforts to use bankruptcy to gut pensions and health care benefits for thousands of working and retired miners and to tear up union contracts.
The union is calling for miners and others to join in demonstrations in St. Louis on April 16 and again when bankruptcy hearings begin there April 29. More than 6,000 miners and supporters marched in Charleston, W.Va., April 1, the largest mobilization of miners in many years.
Peabody Energy Corp. — the largest privately owned coal company in the world — created Patriot Coal in 2007 by spinning off all its union operations east of the Mississippi.
Patriot took on 40 percent of Peabody’s pension and health care liabilities, but just 13.3 percent of its coal reserves.
“Spin-off Creates Multiple Benefits for Peabody,” reads a headline in one of the company’s financial publications in 2007, referring to the company’s jettisoning responsibility for pension and health benefits for some 8,400 retired miners and their families.
In 2008 Patriot bought Magnum Coal, a spinoff from Arch Coal, the second-largest U.S. coal company. Now, more than 90 percent of “Patriot” retirees never worked for Patriot Coal.
In July 2012 Patriot filed for bankruptcy.
Mo. Gov. Nixon Rallying with Medicaid Supporters | KOMU.com | Columbia, MO |
Mo. Gov. Nixon Rallying with Medicaid Supporters | KOMU.com | Columbia, MO |
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quite a few from st. louis attended. alas, I was not among folks with ara
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JEFFERSON CITY - Gov. Jay Nixon's administration says it is expecting more than 1,000 people to rally at the Missouri Capitol in support ofMedicaid expansion.
The Democratic governor plans to speak at Tuesday afternoon's event as part of his quest to expand Medicaid to more lower-income adults as envisioned by President Barack Obama'shealth care law.
Republican lawmakers so far have refused to embrace a Medicaid expansion. And the prospects may be get dimmer.
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quite a few from st. louis attended. alas, I was not among folks with ara
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JEFFERSON CITY - Gov. Jay Nixon's administration says it is expecting more than 1,000 people to rally at the Missouri Capitol in support of
The Democratic governor plans to speak at Tuesday afternoon's event as part of his quest to expand Medicaid to more lower-income adults as envisioned by President Barack Obama's
Republican lawmakers so far have refused to embrace a Medicaid expansion. And the prospects may be get dimmer.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
soar action in st. louis, standing with mineworkers
many from granite city and I were with mineworkers downtown today
Peabody seeks dismissal of Patriot Coal lawsuit : Business
Peabody seeks dismissal of Patriot Coal lawsuit : Business
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Peabody Energy Corp. is seeking dismissal of a Patriot Coal Corp. lawsuit over obligations to retirees, saying the case isn’t “ripe” because it depends on the outcome of Patriot’s negotiations with its union.
Patriot’s lawsuit, filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in St. Louis in March, shouldn’t go forward, Peabody said in court papers filed Friday.
Peabody also said that Patriot shouldn’t blame its financial problems on the 2007 spinoff that split the two St. Louis-based companies.
The issues raised by Patriot “do not present an ‘actual controversy’ between the parties that is ripe for judicial resolution,” lawyers for Peabody wrote. A hearing on Peabody’s request is set for April 29.
Under a contract, Peabody has funded part of Patriot’s health-care expenses for specified retirees since the spinoff.
Patriot said that if it succeeds in reducing its obligations to retirees under a pending motion to reject an agreement with the United Mine Workers of America, Peabody shouldn’t be able to get out of its own obligations.
13 Protestors Arrested Outside Peabody Energy | FOX2now.com
13 Protestors Arrested Outside Peabody Energy | FOX2now.com:
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ST. LOUIS, MO (KTVI)– There were more arrests Tuesday morning after miners protest against Peabody Energy for the fifth time in four months.
Thousands gathered at Kiener Plaza in Downtown St. Louis. Most were members of the United Mine Workers of America. They said Peabody spun off the Patriot Coal Company to avoid paying retiree benefits. Patriot Coal is now in bankruptcy court.
Protestors planted crosses in memory of miners who died on the job. Jerry McDowell worked for Denmark Mine in Willisville, Illnois. He said more people will die if the Patriot bankruptcy is successful.
”I don’t know how many dollars it takes to be happy. But, surely they can’t be happy with as many people as they’re hurting,” he said. “Living on Social Security and miner’s pension with no medical, there will be a lot of people that die because of no medical”
St. Louis City Police arrested 13 people. Protestors filled one city Sheriff’s van. Another vehicle was brought in for those still waiting in handcuffs.
In an emailed statement, Peabody Spokesperson Vic Svec refuted the miners’ accusations:
“The UMWA is well aware that Peabody is globally recognized for its excellence in safety. The Union continues to grandstand when it knows that this matter will be decided in the court------
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soar chapters from st. louis and granite city were in attendance. another action planned later this month and details forthcoming
Unlicensed Abortion Doctor's Horrifying Surgeries (Disturbing Content)
all doctors should have regular inspections
Monday, April 15, 2013
Edible City: Grow the Revolution
folks in st louis and granite city are doing this stuff. folks should not go hungry is the main motive in this area.
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Friday, April 12, 2013
"Pipelines Are The Safest And Most Efficient Way To Transport Oil And Ga...
where do these folks come from?
Defiance Trailer - SyFy (HD)
some sections of st louis look as if they have been attacked by aliens right now. looks like good tv series
Greg Walden on CNN: The President's budget doesn't add up
too bad greg voted for chained cpi in voting on ryan budget
shocking
Thursday, April 11, 2013
photo of soar during 2nd peabody action in st. louis
note: there is another action next tuesday in st. louis.
granite city folks putting together bus for event. more info will be forthcoming
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
GERALD CELENTE - Arkansas Exxon Mobil OIL SPILL. NO JUSTICE for Communit...
still a no fly zone in arkansas along pipeburst area
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Today in bad ideas: Missouri's 'Don't Get Sick' bill - KansasCity.com--another missouri national joke
Today in bad ideas: Missouri's 'Don't Get Sick' bill - KansasCity.com:
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This time it’s the “don’t get sick” bill.
Cookson is sponsoring House Bill 1040. It is short and self-explanatory: “School age children of welfare recipients must attend public school, unless physically disabled, at least ninety percent of the time in order to receive benefits.”
In other words, the responsibility for the family’s financial well-being would depend on a child’s school attendance. That’s a lot of responsibility to place on a first-grader with tonsillitis, or a middle-schooler with mononucleosis, or a high school kid with clinical depression.
Cookson, a retired educator from southeast Missouri, sponsored legislation last year which would have prohibited any discussion of human sexuality in public schools outside of biology classes — effectively barring gay-straight alliance groups and even candid discussions between gay students and counselors about sexual orientation. The “don’t say gay” bill made worldwide news, and was quietly buried in the education committee.
PBS Trade Secrets: The Chemical Industry 2
alas, many parts of area sprayed. Times beach and many other places part of road spraying to keep down dust. what they used was waste materials.
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Does tar sand oil increase the risk of pipeline spills?
Does tar sand oil increase the risk of pipeline spills?
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An oil flood through an Arkansas subdivision on March 29 is just the most recent example of pipeline problems in the U.S. In recent weeks, months and years diesel has leaked from a pipeline into wetlands near Salt Lake City; oil has spilled into the Yellowstone River in Montana; and about 20,000 barrels of oil have spewed into the Kalamazoo River in Michigan. The question: Is the problem the pipelines themselves or what they carry?
The answer may be an unfortunate combination of the two. Certainly, the infrastructure has issues. The U.S. is crisscrossed by more than four million kilometers of such pipelines, many decades old. These pipelines spring hundreds of leaks every year, most small. The pipelines can fail for reasons ranging from a backhoe inadvertently striking one to the slow but steady weakening from corrosion. “It’s not a matter of if, but when,” says Susan Connolly, a resident of Marshall, Mich., right near where the Kalamazoo River spill occurred in 2010 as a result of external corrosion.
Critics charge that pipelines carrying diluted bitumen, or “dilbit”—a heavy oil extracted from tar sands mined in northern Alberta—pose a special risk because, compared with more conventional crude, they must operate at higher temperatures, which have been linked to increased corrosion. These pipelines also have to flow at higher pressures that may contribute to rupture as well. Environmental group Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) notes that pipelines in the upper Midwest that routinely carry oil from tar sands have spilled 3.6 times more oil per pipeline mile than the U.S. average. The Arkansas and Kalamazoo accidents both involved dilbit.
The chemistry of the tar sands oil could contribute to corrosion as well. In processing, the tar sands are boiled to separate the bitumen from the surrounding sand and water, and then mixed with diluent—light hydrocarbons produced along with natural gas—to make the oil less viscous and able to flow. But even so, the resulting dilbit is among the lowest in hydrogen as well as the most viscous, sulfurous and acidic form of oil produced today.
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This article originally appeared on Scientific American.
An oil flood through an Arkansas subdivision on March 29 is just the most recent example of pipeline problems in the U.S. In recent weeks, months and years diesel has leaked from a pipeline into wetlands near Salt Lake City; oil has spilled into the Yellowstone River in Montana; and about 20,000 barrels of oil have spewed into the Kalamazoo River in Michigan. The question: Is the problem the pipelines themselves or what they carry?The answer may be an unfortunate combination of the two. Certainly, the infrastructure has issues. The U.S. is crisscrossed by more than four million kilometers of such pipelines, many decades old. These pipelines spring hundreds of leaks every year, most small. The pipelines can fail for reasons ranging from a backhoe inadvertently striking one to the slow but steady weakening from corrosion. “It’s not a matter of if, but when,” says Susan Connolly, a resident of Marshall, Mich., right near where the Kalamazoo River spill occurred in 2010 as a result of external corrosion.
Critics charge that pipelines carrying diluted bitumen, or “dilbit”—a heavy oil extracted from tar sands mined in northern Alberta—pose a special risk because, compared with more conventional crude, they must operate at higher temperatures, which have been linked to increased corrosion. These pipelines also have to flow at higher pressures that may contribute to rupture as well. Environmental group Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) notes that pipelines in the upper Midwest that routinely carry oil from tar sands have spilled 3.6 times more oil per pipeline mile than the U.S. average. The Arkansas and Kalamazoo accidents both involved dilbit.
The chemistry of the tar sands oil could contribute to corrosion as well. In processing, the tar sands are boiled to separate the bitumen from the surrounding sand and water, and then mixed with diluent—light hydrocarbons produced along with natural gas—to make the oil less viscous and able to flow. But even so, the resulting dilbit is among the lowest in hydrogen as well as the most viscous, sulfurous and acidic form of oil produced today.
Friday, April 5, 2013
bailouts, companies yes; employees no---melissa harris-perry
Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Labor board alleges Walmart-connected companies intimidated workers — MSNBC
Labor board alleges Walmart-connected companies intimidated workers — MSNBC:
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Josh Eidelson reported on Wednesday that the NLRB alleged in a Feb. 28th complaint that the companies threatened workers who were involved in organizing activities and in some cases went as far as to fire them. Employees at the Elwood, Ill., warehouse went on strike for three weeks in September and caused it to shut down temporarily.
As Eidelson writes, there are currently dozens of charges related to Walmart before the board, placing pressure and increasing scrutiny on the company as efforts to organize low-wage workers continue to gain traction.
MSNBC host Chris Hayes discussed how companies like Walmart respond to complaints about labor conditions and spoke with workers who were involved in organizing the Black Friday strike on the Nov. 18th episode of Up with Chris Hayes.
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note: what did folks expect? anti-union companies can and do discourage labor related activities
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Monday, April 1, 2013
St. Louis Earth Day Festival — St. Louis Earth Day
St. Louis Earth Day Festival — St. Louis Earth Day:
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EARTH DAY EVE
Start the celebration early, while supporting the St. Louis Earth Day organization, by enjoying food and music on the eve of the St. Louis Earth Day Festival. Find out more…
- Saturday, April 20, 2013
- 4pm – 7pm
- The Muny, Forest Park
- Suggested donation of $5, free to Festival Sponsors, Partners, Vendors and Volunteers
ST. LOUIS EARTH DAY FESTIVAL
Join in this community tradition to learn about sustainable products and services offered by local businesses and organizations, meet area non-profits that share the mission of Earth Day, catch local musical acts and performance art, participate in a number of hands-on educational activities, and enjoy diverse cuisine featuring local, organic and vegetarian options. Plan your visit…
- Sunday, April 21, 2013
- 11am – 6pm
- The Muny grounds of Forest Park
- Free & open to the public
The World According to Monsanto GMO Documentary----reposting
unfortunately, Monsanto has gained legal immunity from lawsuits in us. numerous lawsuits around the world and in a fact: gmos must be labled in much of the world. not america of course
earth day is coming and this is good flick to review
Missouri Division of Workforce Development awarded grant to help former Hostess workers | ksdk.com
Missouri Division of Workforce Development awarded grant to help former Hostess workers | ksdk.com:
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workers got stiffed on pensions, benefits is the short of story
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workers got stiffed on pensions, benefits is the short of story