US-Iran War Averted by Agreement to Negotiate on Nuclear Enrichment

Juan Cole Informed Comment
In 2003 when Khatami made the peace proposal, Iran had just declared a small set of nuclear experiments. As of 2006, it began serious nuclear enrichment activities, though UN inspectors have never found evidence of a nuclear weapons program. As Secretary of State John Kerry pointed out Saturday night, if the Bush administration had accepted Iran’s 2003 proposal, the rancor, saber-rattling, sanctions and the rapid advances in Iran’s nuclear program could have been avoided

Bold Boeing Workers Refuse to Screw Over Next Generation

Richard Kirsch Next New Deal
By rejecting a contract that amounted to corporate extortion, employees have taken a stand for the middle class. In making their case, the members who organized against the contract focused on the fact that they would be giving up "hard fought contract negotiations and strikes by generations of Fighting Machinists that came before us. " They warned, "Boeing is hoping you will deny the next generation many of the benefits we have today."

Bumper Cars for the Bundestag

Victor Grossman Berlin Bulletin
The leaders are currently working almost around the clock in their overriding hope for an agreement with Merkel (CDU) and the Bavarian Seehofer (CSU). For them a great deal is at stake. If a new “grand coalition” government is formed they will get fine cabinet posts, in Gabriel’s case the job of vice-chancellor next to Merkel. But if the attempt breaks down they might end up in the party dust bin.

Bullies

Signe Wilkinson Cartoonist Group

MGM Vegas Casino Workers Approve Union Contract

Michelle Rindels AP
Members of the largest local of UNITE HERE, Culinary Union local 226, along with Bartenders local 165, voted to approve a five year contract with the largest Strip employer, MGM Resorts. This is the first new contract with the gaming employer since 2007, prior to the recession. The contract includes an economic package that funds the continuation of health benefits and pension. Currently workers pay no monthly premiums for benefits.