Union Membership Sees Slight Boost In 2011 After Years Of Decline

WASHINGTON -- Union membership grew slightly last year, giving labor leaders hope that a period of steep declines has finally bottomed out.

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/28/union-membership-2011_n_1239033.html

Today in Labor History

American Miners’ Association formed - 1861

First U.S. unemployment compensation law enacted, in Wisconsin – 1932
 

AT&T posts quarterly loss after T-Mobile breakup

US telecommunications giant AT&T on Thursday reported a $6.68 billion loss for the fourth quarter, citing a costly charge for ending its planned acquisition of wireless carrier T-Mobile.

Read more: http://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/t-posts-quarterly-loss-t-183538523.html

Indiana House passes right-to-work legislation 54-44

The Indiana House voted 54-44 for the controversial “right to work” bill today.

Five Republicans joined 39 Democrats in voting against the bill. Two members – one Republican and one Democrat — did not vote.

http://www.indystar.com/article/20120125/NEWS05/120125034/1001/news

Today in Labor History

Samuel Gompers, first AFL president, born in London, England. He emigrated to the U.S. as a youth - 1850
 

A handful of American companies announce nearly 60,000 layoffs today, as the recession that began during the George W. Bush presidency charges full-tilt toward what has become known as the Great Recession - 2009

 

AT&T Calls Sprint a Free-Loader, Accuses U.S. Gov't of Meddling
 

America's number second and third largest carriers -- AT&T Inc. (T) and Sprint Nextel Corp. (S) -- have hardly been best buddies, particularly since Sprint was a key player in helping convince the federal government to sink AT&T's acquisition of America's fourth largest carrier Deutsche Telekom AG's (ETR:DTE) T-Mobile USA. But in the wake of a controversial decision by Sprint, the icy détente has exploded into a full-blown war of words. And to make things even more intense AT&T is tossing out accusations of government meddling and federal interference.

Read More: http://www.dailytech.com/ATT+Calls+Sprint+a+FreeLoader+Accuses+US+Govt+of+Meddling/article23862.htm

Labor Board Chief to Press for New Union Rules

The chairman of the National Labor Relations Board hopes to have another round of regulations in place by the end of the year that would make it easier for unions to establish and win representation elections in workplaces.

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/labor-board-chief-press-union-rules-15442850

Today in Labor History

The Supreme Court upholds “Yellow Dog” employment contracts, which forbid membership in labor unions. Yellow Dog contracts remained legal until 1932 - 1915

16,000 textile workers strike in Passaic, N.J. - 1926
 

Earnings Preview: AT&T to report 4Q results

NEW YORK (AP) — AT&T Inc., the largest telecommunications company in the U.S., reports fourth-quarter results Thursday before the stock market opens.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: There's every indication that the last three months of 2011 were a blowout quarter for smartphone sales in the U.S., with the launch of the iPhone 4S at no less than three carriers. Verizon has said it activated 4.3 million iPhones in the quarter.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/earnings-preview-t-report-4q-results-212547243.html

Today in Labor History

Federal minimum wage increases to 75¢ an hour - 1952