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Why Robots Are Essential to Google’s Future

Verne Kopytoff TIME
Google is aggressively moving into the business of developing a newer class of robots - those designed to be more mobile, versatile, and human-like. The goal: expanding the market for robots to small- and medium-sized companies in order to reduce their labor costs. Google recently acquired a suite of robotics-related companies, including one in Japan, and has created a new division within Google to consolidate research and development in this field.

A Walmart Thanksgiving, by Charles Dickens

Richard Eskow Campaign for America's Future
It was the night before Thanksgiving. Walmart's top brass had assembled in the executive boardroom for a last celebration before heading home to their families. ...Meanwhile, "Black Friday" would begin on Thursday evening, leaving many of its workers unable to spend the holiday with family or friends.

Tidbits - November 28, 2013

Portside
Reader Comments - Black Friday protests; Walmart and retail workers; Congress filibuster; Warren, Sanders - the 2016 elections; healthcare; Detroit; Climate Change; "Hunger Games;" Africa; Iran; Announcements - NC Music Love Army benefit album; New Books - What We Can Learn from the New Deal and JFK - The Cuba Files the untold story of the plot;; Performance-talk and jam - Nueva Canción - New York - Dec 6; PM Press - Holiday Sale and Upcoming Releases!

The Walmartization of Aerospace

Carl Bloice Black Commentator
The conflict in Washington State involves far more than a local dispute over wages and benefits. Boeing appears determined to set the bar higher in its labor relations. As is the trend in much of labor negotiations these days, the bosses have simply decided that moving forward, workers are going to have to forfeit the medical and retirement benefits their unions have previously secured.

Walmart Workers, Community Allies to Hold 1500 Protests Across Country on Black Friday

OUR Walmart Common Dreams
Protests in Los Angeles, Miami, Bay Area, Chicago, Seattle, Washington D.C., Minneapolis, Sacramento mark Largest Mobilization of Working Families in Recent History. Environmental, Religious, Women's & Immigrants' Rights Groups Join Workers to Call For An End to Illegal Retaliation, $25,000 a Year, Full-Time Work

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Labor Panel Finds Illegal Punishments at Walmart

Elizabeth A. Harris The New York Times
The National Labor Relations Board, after reviewing evidence of alleged retribution by Walmart against employees protesting working conditions, has found that the United States' largest employer illegally threatened employees who were considering taking part in planned demonstrations. While the Board has grounds to file a complaint, and may yet do so, it will wait in order to give Walmart and representatives of the employees an opportunity to come to a settlement.

Fight for 15 Confidential

Arun Gupta In These Times
How did the biggest-ever mobilization of fast-food workers come about, and what is its endgame?

Tidbits - November 14, 2013

Portside
Reader Comments - More on the AFL-CIO; NFL Bullying; Vets and Peace; Seattle Socialists Win; Obamacare; Babies; Announcements - Organizing Walmart & Fast Food Industry - New York - Nov 19; Fighting Back Against Wall St. - NYC - Nov 25; Mark Rogovin To Be Inducted Into the Illinois Labor History Society's Labor Hall of Honor; 'Spies Of Mississippi' preview - NYC - Dec 15; Audio available -The Hidden History of Workplace Resistance: U.S. Autoworkers Speak Out;

Scalia's Chance to Smash Unions: The Huge Under-the-Radar Case

Josh Eidelson Salon
A Supreme Court case being argued could take away a tactic that's kept unions alive. The case, Unite Here Local 355 v. Mulhall, involves the constitutionality of "card check neutrality agreements" between unions and companies they're trying to organize. The case now facing Antonin Scalia and company could be "the most significant labor case in a generation."
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