News Update for August 24

Union Network International has announced that South Korea will be the first nation where Wal-Mart will be an organizing target, according to the Houston Chronicle. Try as I might, I cannot think of a way to connect this news to the recent news that South Korea has changed its policy on population control, in order to reverse the steep decline in birth rates. I'll work on it. Check back later.

Gate Gourmet, which started a complete debacle for British Airways by firing between 600 and 800 employees, is in negotiations with BA and its employees' union to forestall bankruptcy, plague, pestilence, famine, etc. According to Forbes, BA won't extend Gate Gourmet's contract (i.e. throw them a life line) unless GG makes a deal with their workers.

And the NewStandard has this not-so-fresh news on the AFL-CIO's Solidarity Charters, indicating that "As of yet, there have been no reported takers." For the unfamiliar, Solidarity Charters would be offered to locals of disaffiliated unions, allowing them to belong to state and central labor councils by paying their per capita + 10% "assessment". They cannot hold leadership positions in the CLCs, and the Change to Win Unions oppose them. Just f your i.