Good news for 1 million low-wage workers: In 2013, 10 states will see a bump in the minimum wage. 

Dave Jamieson at the Huffington Post writes in "Minimum Wage Increase Hits 10 States, Boosting Pay For An Estimated One Million Workers":

Passed Over is a cross-post from Working America’s Dear David workplace advice column. David knows you deserve to be treated fairly on the job and he’s available to answer your questions, whether it is co-workers making off-handed comments that you should retire or you feel like your job's long hours are causing stress.

Question: 

I have been working for a company for about two years. The company recently acquired another company. There were many layoffs as the companies merged. I was moved over to another department. A director-level position was created in this new department and someone was given the promotion. The rest of us never knew about the position and certainly didn't have a chance to apply for it. The person receiving the promotion has a lot less experience and qualifications for the job. When I confronted his boss about this, he minimized the importance of the role. Is it legal to promote someone into a new position without allowing others to apply, especially if the person who was promoted is less qualified?

—Pamela, Massachusetts

International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) General President Harold Schaitberger issued this statement on the shooting in Webster, N.Y., that killed two firefighters: