Portside

Employers are increasingly hiring workers as "on-call" employees, with no guarantee of minimum hours of work, leading to severe underemployment and scheduling difficulties. One British firm now employs almost all workers on "zero-hours contracts." The Labour Party is attempting to outlaw the practice.

The Chicago Teachers Union is under attack by critics for traveling to Honduras and allegedly focusing on global issues rather than the academic issues facing their district.

“If Detroit fails it will hurt our nation as a whole. It will send a message to minority and urban youth that their futures are as hopeless as they seem and the country doesn't care. It will add to a national atmosphere of hopelessness and decay. And we will have missed an opportunity to turn the tide for America's cities.”

Some warehouse workers in California will strike Walmart today. They are protesting alleged retaliation for exposing safety risks.