Wednesday, July 29, 2009



Christopher Pyle discusses current domestic spying on peace activists by the US military. His discussion (starting at about minute 41) on Democracy Now! mentions US military spying of religious groups such as Unitarians and Quakers. Pyle was a whistleblower in 1970, revealing an extensive system of domestic spies under the code name Operation Talon.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Stella D'Oro Workers Win Battle Against Private Equity Pirates



Employees at Stella D'Oro biscuit company returned to work after striking for 11 months. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) determined that the private equity firm that owned the factory, Brenwood Partners, refused to bargain in good faith. The workers, members of Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers Union, were forced on strike after Brenwood Partners tried to force them to take "a 20% pay cut, elimination of sick days and overtime, reductions in vacations and holidays and an increase in employee health care contributions." The firm stated that wages and benefits made the company unprofitable, yet failed to provide evidence of their claim. They are now threatening to close the factory. Private equity firms like Brenwood are known for making 30% returns on investment, in large part by reducing workers' wages and benefits. Employees had labored at Stella D'Oro for 10-15 years or more for the formerly family-owned operation.