labor

Pop Your Blue Collar: The Evolution Of Blue Collar Work In The US

The Conversation with Ross Reynolds — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:48:57 +0000

In the past decade, blue collar jobs have diminished. But in the coming decade, that tide is expected to change. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an additional 2.7 million new blue collar jobs such as home health care aides and rebar and iron maintenance workers by 2020. Ross Reynolds talks with Tim Sweeney and Dan Jacoby about the future of blue collar work and education.

Farm Worker Harassment Draws Increased Scrutiny

Liz Jones — Sun, 12 May 2013 23:12:35 +0000

In her green minivan, Angelica Villa navigates the farm roads north of Bellingham like a seasoned tour guide. She points out a cannery, a potato plant and miles of berry fields. Villa previously worked at many of these places and she rattles off story after story about harassment on the job.

How Does Washington State Help Workers With Developmental Disabilities?

The Conversation With Ross Reynolds — Thu, 09 May 2013 23:04:30 +0000

Washington State’s Developmental Disabilities Administration helps people with disabilities like autism, cerebral palsy and down syndrome find work. The DDA serves nearly 9,000 adults over the age of 21.

Ross Reynolds interviews Dr. Pat Brown, director of the University of Washington’s employment program. Ross also talks with Doug Wilson, a sales manager at Copiers Northwest, who employs people with developmental disabilities and Shawn Christensen, a man with cerebral palsy who works at Regal Cinemas in Renton.

SEIU: Fastest Growing Union Holds Strong In Washington

The Conversation With Ross Reynolds — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 19:18:36 +0000

Nationwide, the percentage of workers who are in unions has dropped to around 11 percent according to January report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s lowest rate in nearly a century. But the Service Employees International Union has been bucking the trend in recent decades – it’s the fastest growing union in the United States.

Since 1996, 1.2 million workers have joined SEIU nationally. Today, SEIU national represents 2.1 million. Here in Washington state the SEUI has six locals with more than 100,000 members, up from about 40,000 in 2001.

The union represents nurses, child care workers, public school employees and janitors. Plus, Local 775 is the biggest, with around 43,000 members who are long-term care workers, home health aides, and nursing home aides.

Ross Reynolds talks with David Rolf, president of the Seattle-based Local 775 of the Service Employees International Union for health-care workers.

Boeing Machinists Optimistic Despite Layoffs

Amy Radil — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 23:44:31 +0000

Boeing has announced it will lay off 800 machinists in the Puget Sound area this year. The company says workforce needs on two of its newest jet programs have been reduced.

Immigration Reform In The Restaurant Kitchen

Liz Jones — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 00:04:08 +0000

Next time you go out for a nice dinner, give a listen near the restaurant’s kitchen. Amid the bustle, there’s a decent chance you’ll hear chefs, cooks or dishwashers speaking Spanish.

What In The World Is Turkopticon?

Producer — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 19:04:21 +0000

When we think of crowd sourcing, we often think about Wikipedia or Youtube, but Amazon's Mechanical Turk is a different type of crowd sourcing.

Mechanical Turk is an online marketplace where employers can hire thousands of workers to complete tiny tasks such as identifying objects in a photo or editing a description. Workers are offered no benefits and are not protected by minimum wage laws. They are paid per task, often as little as 20 cents, occasionally as much as $5. But sometimes, they aren’t paid at all.

Are Sea-Tac Workers Paid Fairly? New Report Says No

Producer — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 18:55:26 +0000

Puget Sound Sage's latest report finds that Sea-Tac Airport has fallen behind when it comes to minimum worker pay when compared to some other West Coast airports.

How do Sea-Tac's wages compare to the national average, and if workers at the airport were to get raises who would bear the brunt of that cost? Ross Reynolds talks with Puget Sound Sage researcher and policy analyst Nicole Keenan.

Northwest Town Rides Ups And Downs Of "Broken" Immigration System

Jessica Robinson — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:15:00 +0000

BREWSTER, Wash. - There's one word that politicians almost always use when they talk about the U.S. immigration system. That word is “broken.” But what does that really mean? Residents of the small town of Brewster, Wash., know. For decades, immigrants have come from Mexico, often illegally, to work the surrounding apple and cherry orchards.

Striking Providence Hospital Workers Criticize Nonprofit CEO’s $6 Million Pay

John Ryan — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 00:17:22 +0000

More than 500 workers at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia are on strike.