The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) today issued five complaints against Amazon, including one in Bessemer, Alabama. From the NLRB: “The complaints alleged that the employer promulgated and selectively enforced an unlawful “off-duty access” rule that banned employees from the employer’s facilities when not on shift. Among other remedies, the complaints seek rescission of the…
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“An example of politics and ideology getting in the way of education” | Former colleague of Alabama educator fired for “wokeness” reacts
Earlier this month, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey fired the Early Childhood Education secretary, Dr. Barbara Cooper, following allegations that Dr. Cooper had been promoting so-called “Woke” material in the classrooms. “It’s really an example of politics and ideology just getting in the way of education,” said Adam Keller on The Valley Labor Report, who is…
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America’s child labor epidemic is only just getting started
The issue of child labor in the United States seems to be only just warming up, as the U.S. Department of Labor releases some startling statistics in the middle of the investigation it has been carrying out across the Nation, with a special emphasis on the South. According to a statement the DOL released about…
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What passed in the Alabama Legislature: May 9 – 11, 2023
Here’s a round-up of the bills that passed the Alabama Legislature this week. Tuesday, May 9 Senate House Thursday, May 11 Senate House Alabama Reflector is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Alabama Reflector maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor…
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Alabama Political Engagement – Part 2: Moving Forward
One thing that always comes through to me in the AL Democratic Party conversations I’ve observed and participated in is that neither of the two apparent main factions that have quarreled over the years seem all that interested in engaging labor, the left or for that matter, most anyone under the age of 50. We’ve…
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Alabama Political Engagement – Part 1: Examining Conditions
Over the course of The Valley Labor Report, we’ve hosted numerous conversations about the state of the Alabama Democratic Party, including conversations with Chair Randy Kelley, Vice-Chair Tabitha Isner, and SDEC activists. We also had an illuminating conversation with Mark Dudzik about the U.S. Labor Party effort during the 1990s. It’s in that context I…
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NEW STUDY: Sea Level Rise HIGHEST in the South
Tens of millions of residents along the southeastern coast of the United States are growing concerned as a disturbing new study indicates that sea levels have been rising at an accelerated rate since 2010, specifically along this corner of the country. This study, which was revealed in a co-authored paper published by the Washington Post,…
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Working Folks in Camp Hill, Alabama are being Left Behind
TALLAPOOSA COUNTY, Alabama — The community of Camp Hill, Alabama, has been experiencing relentless disasters over the last several weeks. From environmental disasters to economic hardships to even loss of life, the ~1,000 residents are not only feeling like they are being kicked while down, but also feeling like they have been left behind by…
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Biden’s CHIPS Act Isn’t Doing Enough For Labor, Despite Anti-Labor Liberal Critics
resident Biden has long touted his CHIPS Act as being a “masterpiece” that would give the economy and the working class a much needed boost. But, unfortunately, we are finding that it ultimately isn’t doing enough to help workers; on the contrary, in some ways it is actually hurting Labor rather than helping it. In…
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A Tale of Two Layoffs: Union v. Non Union
t’s not everyday that you see an example of the contrasting treatment of Union versus Non-Union workers… in the same company. Tyson is in the process of laying off 1,600 poultry plant workers across Virginia and Arkansas. What is interesting is, the workers in Virginia are organized, represented by the UFCW Local 400. According to…
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Ivey forces Early Childhood Education Secretary to resign over teacher training book
ov. Kay Ivey Friday forced Secretary of Early Childhood Education Barbara Cooper to resign over a book designed to train teachers to be aware of the different backgrounds and challenges of their students. In a Friday afternoon news release, Gina Maiola, communications director for the governor’s office, said Ivey had accepted Cooper’s resignation after learning…
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What did Kentucky Teamsters Win After Their Sysco Strike?
eamsters Local 89 Sysco drivers voted overwhelmingly in support of ratifying a new offer from the company, concluding a strike that lasted nearly two weeks. The drivers had joined the Teamsters in 2022 due to issues involving wages, benefits, workplace safety, and destructively long work shifts, and since organizing there’s been a bit of back-and-forth…