Business + Labor
Senate committee considers prescription drug cost oversight package
Updated, 4:08 p.m., 9/22/23 A package of bills under consideration by the state Senate Finance, Insurance and Consumer Protection Committee could create an independent board to review prescription drug costs with the aim of lowering prices for Michiganders. Senate Bills 483–485, sponsored by Sens. Veronica Klinefelt (D-Eastpointe), Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton) and Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay […]
Nearly 200 workers go on strike at Tuscaloosa Mercedes supplier
The United Auto Workers said Wednesday that 190 workers had gone on strike at ZF Custom Chassis, a Tuscaloosa Mercedes parts supplier. UAW, which is engaged in a larger strike against Ford, General Motors and Stellantis, said in an article published on their website on Tuesday that UAW members had rejected a contract offer from […]
Rick Haglund: Decline of wages, jobs and Detroit Three market share fuel UAW strike
As President Barack Obama’s “car czar” in 2009, Steven Rattner played a crucial role in saving the collapsing domestic auto industry. Rattner, a former journalist and investment banker, engineered the sale of a flat-broke Chrysler to Italian automaker Fiat and fired General Motors CEO Rick Wagoner, who resisted putting GM into bankruptcy. Those moves, combined […]
The next budget gives kids free school lunches for a year. This bill could make it permanent.
In a move that could save parents hundreds of dollars a year, a Michigan Senate bill currently under consideration has the potential to make free school breakfasts and lunches a permanent investment in public schools. SB 500, sponsored by state Sen. Dana Polehanki (D-Livonia), would make permanent an item of the state’s Fiscal Year 2024 […]
A ‘disaster’ nears: Millions of federal workers’ paychecks would be on hold in a shutdown
WASHINGTON — More than 3.5 million federal employees and military personnel — many in the Washington, D.C., area but also scattered across the states and around the globe — are bracing for another partial government shutdown, as U.S. House Republicans struggle to produce a short-term plan to fund the government past the end of the […]
Column: Local communities know what’s best for their residents
For the last 30 years, I have spent my days in the classroom helping children learn reading, math and other critical skills. Educators strive to understand all the factors — in and out of the classroom — that impact our students, because we want every child to have a healthy, full life. I will never […]
Workers at Stellantis Jeep plant in Toledo part of the ongoing United Auto Workers strike
Thousands of workers at the Stellantis Jeep plant in Toledo are striking as part of the ongoing United Auto Workers (UAW) strike. The strike started Thursday at midnight after contract negotiations failed with the “Detroit Three” auto manufacturers: Ford, General Motors and Stellantis. The Toledo Assembly Complex makes the Jeep Gladiator and Jeep Wrangler, and […]
UAW president, Biden push back against reported Trump visit with striking Michigan workers
Former President Donald Trump’s plans to skip the second GOP presidential candidate debate and head to Michigan to meet with striking autoworkers isn’t going over well with the United Auto Workers (UAW) top official. “Every fiber of our union is being poured into fighting the billionaire class and an economy that enriches people like Donald […]
Gilchrist highlights clean energy jobs following new report outlining industry growth
Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist and clean energy business representatives on Tuesday celebrated growth in Michigan’s clean energy industry following the release of a new report by E2, otherwise known as Environmental Entrepreneurs. E2, a national nonpartisan group of business leaders and investors and others advocating for policies to support the environment and business, released its […]
Michigan congresswoman pushes ‘Restaurant Workers Bill of Rights’
WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a Michigan Democrat, re-introduced legislation Tuesday aimed at improving the lives of U.S. restaurant workers. The “Restaurant Workers Bill of Rights” would raise wages and improve work conditions for restaurant staff. Tlaib, who also pushed this legislation last year, held a press conference Tuesday alongside U.S. House colleagues and […]
UAW president sets new deadline for automakers, promising additional strikes
Shawn Fain, president of the United Auto Workers union (UAW), on Monday night announced that more locations may be called to join the union’s strike on Friday. The UAW declared a historic strike against all three members of the Big Three automakers at midnight Thursday, after contracts expired with Ford, General Motors and Stellantis. Sen. […]
‘However long it takes,’ longtime Ford worker says of the UAW strike
As the United Auto Workers (UAW) strike against the Detroit Three enters its fourth day, workers say that they are in it “for the long haul.” Samantha Litton of Taylor has worked at the Ford Michigan Assembly Plant for three years. “It shouldn’t take eight years to get top pay,” Litton told the Advance on […]