A new report from researchers from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) finds that not only is rising inequality a drag on economic growth, but that policies designed to lessen inequality through a moderate level of redistribution do not slow growth. While the report is clear in stating it isn't the official opinion or policy of the IMF, researchers Jonathan D. Ostry, Andrew Berg and Charalambos G. Tsangarides make a compelling case that austerity policies are bad for economic growth and that it isn't just morally sound to reduce income inequality, it's the economically wise choice, too. While countries have pursued policies focused heavily on deficit reduction and lower government spending, the new report suggests those legislative priorities may be the wrong approach to economic growth, joining a growing chorus of evidence from economic analysts that is pushing for a move away from austerity. Read more >>>

The economy added 175,000 jobs in February—62,000 more than the January job gain but still far below what is needed for recovery—and the nation’s unemployment rate was nearly unchanged at 6.7%, compared with January’s 6.6%, according to figures released this morning by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The number of long-term unemployed people (those jobless for 27 weeks or more) rose by 203,000, increasing the number of long-term jobless workers to 3.8 million. Read more >>>

Last year, Denise Imundo’s husband had surgery on his neck that forced him out of the job market. He went four months without work, and although he was eligible to receive disability payments, they only covered one-third of his salary. And when the holidays approached, finances were getting tight.

But instead of racking up debt, the couple’s Union Plus Credit Card offers special assistance for eligible cardholders. Read more>>>

Join Us on Facebook !

Inspired by a Woody Guthrie song, 1913 Massacre tells the story of a Michigan town broken by greed. The film follows musician Arlo Guthrie to the town of Calumet, a once-thriving mining town on Michigan's Upper Peninsula still haunted by the tragic events that inspired Woody Guthrie's ballad, '1913 Massacre.' 1913 Massacre captures the last living witnesses of the 1913 tragedy, reconstructs Calumet's past from individual memories, family legends and songs, and traces the legacy of the tragedy to the present day, when the town --out of work, out of money, out of luck -- struggles to survive. Read more >>>

Battles Continue . . .

It has been quite a challenging year for workers and their unions with the changes made in Lansing. See the legislative update on miaflcio.org/

A Labor Day 2012 Photo Album has been added in the Photo Albums section. If you have photos you are willing to share and would like to see on the website please let us know.

Thank You for Helping to Make this Labor Day the Best Yet!

In excess of 1100 workers, students, seniors and their families representing the 15 counties of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan attended the We ARE the People Workers United Rally at the steps of the county courthouse in Marquette, Michigan.April 13th, 2011

We ARE the People Photo Album