Workers at Hostess Brands—who in September overwhelming rejected a contract that cut wages and benefits by as much as 32%—began a strike today against the maker of Wonder Bread, Twinkies and other well-known baked treats. Hostess has imposed the terms of the rejected contract. Frank Hurt, president of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM) says:

Hostess Brands is making a mockery of the labor relations system that has been in place for nearly 100 years.

Palermo’s Pizza, where workers have been on strike since June 1 protesting unfair labor practices, has received some $26 million in local, state and federal funds since 2005. The majority of funds were earmarked for job creation and economic development. But a new report from the AFL-CIO Center for Strategic Research finds little evidence Palermo's has kept its word.

Released today in Milwaukee, “Too Much Pork in the Pepperoni Pizza?” finds that because of the lack of transparency and accountability on the part of Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. (WEDC), which administered much of Palermo’s corporate welfare, “We can’t know whether Palermo’s has kept its promise.”

The Chicago Teachers Union's House of Delegates voted today not to suspend the strike that started Monday, but to take the tentative contract deal to the picket line for discussions over the next two days with the 26,000 striking teachers and school staff.

The Chicago Tribune reports there is a framework for a deal between Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) Local 1 and the Chicago Public Schools.

The Tribune spoke to CTU attorney Robert Bloch, who said:

I’m pleased to report that the talks today were very productive....We are still continuing to work out the details of the contract, but we are hopeful that we will have a complete agreement to present to the union’s House of Delegates by Sunday.

While newspaper editorial boards, right-wing pundits and school privateers are criticizing Chicago’s 29,000 public school teachers and educational professionals who were forced out on strike, Chicagoans—especially parents—are backing the teachers. 

While contract talks between the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) and the city continue today, the 29,000 teachers and education professionals who were forced out on strike to gain a contract that provides students with the education they deserve were on the picket lines early this morning and then gathered for three large rallies across the Windy City.

At 12:01 a.m. today, for the first time in 25 years, more than 29,000 teachers and education professionals of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) were forced out on strike to gain a contract that provides students with the education they deserve.

CTU expressed disappointment in the school district’s refusal to concede on issues involving resources for students, job security and compensation—including the district’s decision to strip teachers and paraprofessionals of an agreed-upon 4 percent raise. Resources for students also are highlighted in a one-page paper excerpt of their 46-page comprehensive study, “The Schools Chicago’s Students Deserve,” outlining the type of school and educational environment their students should have. Its recommendations include:

After more than three months on strike, workers at Palermo's Pizza and their supporters continue to put pressure on Costco, the largest retailer of Palermo's products. Because of mounting public pressure and more than 50 actions at various Costco locations all over the country, Palermo’s CEO Giacomo Fallucca met with AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka last Friday, to begin a discussion to resolve this issue for workers and Palermo’s customers.

Closing in on their third month on strike, workers at Palermo's Pizza and their supporters continue to put pressure on Costco, the largest retailer of Palermo's products.

Beginning today, thousands of community activists and workers in more than 20 cities around the country will be participating in a National Week of Action at various Costco store locations. These events will inform Costco customers and employees of the worker abuses at Palermo's Pizza. 

The AFL-CIO welcomes a dialogue with Palermo Villa Inc. CEO Giacomo Fallucca to discuss the company’s recent actions in response to union organizing efforts among workers at the pizza manufacturing plant in Milwaukee, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said today.

I am encouraged by your willingness to discuss workers’ desire for a voice on the job. It is only through open dialogue that management and labor can reach a just and fair resolution of workplace problems, and I am happy to participate in opening such a dialogue.