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Across Asia's Borders, Labor Activists Team Up to Press Wage Claims

Eveline Danubrata and Prak Chan Thul Reuters
For global companies that have shifted production to Southeast Asia's low-cost manufacturing hub, greater cross-boarder labor coordination could mean less room for wage bargaining, a squeeze on profits and maybe even higher price tags on anything from shoes and clothing to cars and electronics appliances. But even as wages rise, labor activists are confident they aren't at risk of pricing themselves out of the market.

Working Anything but 9 to 5

Jodi Kantor The New York Times
Scheduling Technology Leaves Low-Income Parents With Hours of Chaos.

Seeking New Start, Finding Steep Cost

Timothy Williamsaug The New York Times
Last month Congress reauthorized the Workforce Investment Act, but studies show reasons for concern about the effectiveness of the $3.1 billion program. An extensive analysis of the program by The New York Times conducted an extensive analysis of the program and found many graduates wind up significantly worse off than when they started — mired in unemployment and debt from training for positions that do not exist, and they end up working elsewhere for minimum wage.

Rail Workers Denounce Dangerous Deal Between Union Officers and Management

ALEXANDRA BRADBURY In These Times
“There’s a real rank-and-file rebellion going on right now,” says Jen Wallis, a Seattle switchman-conductor for Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway. “People who’ve never been involved in the union, never went to a union meeting, they are showing up and they’re joining Railroad Workers United in droves.

Call For End to Israeli Aggression Grows

Rebecca Bowe/The Guardian Ilan Lior/Haaretz The Guardian/Haaretz
Protest rallies in Oakland, California and Tel Aviv highlight sharpening demands for an end to Israeli military action against Gaza and for a Palestinian homeland.