Ill. governor acts to curb public sector unions

Gov. Bruce Rauner, the newly elected Republican who has often criticized public sector unions, took his first step toward curbing their power on Monday by announcing an executive order that would bar unions from requiring all state workers to pay the equivalent of dues. Mr. R [...]

Obama to declare Pullman town national monument

President Barack Obama will visit Chicago next week to designate the historic Pullman neighborhood – one of the first “company towns” in the U.S. – as a national monument. Pullman was home to railroad baron George Pullman’s factory town in the 1880s, homes, shopping areas, ch [...]

Advisory Committee Opens Communication From Workers to Trustees

Even with the evolution of technology, sometimes the flow of communication from the workers on the front lines to the decision makers in the offices can move slowly. To make sure workers’ voices were heard, the International Training Institute (ITI) established an Advisory Co [...]

Foxx unveils Obama’s infrastructure investment plan

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx Feb. 2 announced President Obama’s $94.7 billion Fiscal Year 2016 Budget for the U.S. Department of Transportation. The proposal makes critical investments in infrastructure needed to promote long-term economic growth, enhance safety [...]

Sheet Metal Challenge Video Contest Now Open For Entries

Few people know what sheet metal workers do. The SMACNA-SMART Labor Management Partnership Trust is giving its members a chance to highlight their trade in creative, short videos—up to 90 seconds long—and earn a prize of up to $500 in the process. Videos can highlight labor-m [...]

Driver panic, confusion common in path of trains

Your car is trapped between the crossing gates, and a train is speeding down the tracks, its horn blaring, its lights blazing in your direction. What do you do? Hit the gas pedal and crash through the gate, or ditch your car and start running, experts say. And don’t was [...]