A union election at American Airlines has been blocked by a federal judge in Texas based on the idea that holding the election would damage the company's reputation. The logic of the ruling is ridiculous, at best, and it seems that this direct violation of the rights of the workers at the airline is unlikely to stand additional judicial scrutiny.

Buying a specious argument by American Airlines, a judge in the U.S. District Court in Texas on June 13 granted American Airlines a temporary restraining order that will delay our representation election.

American Airlines management continues to do everything they can to keep passenger service, reservations, and cargo employees from having a voice at this critical time – even as it negotiates with unionized employees under mediation from bankruptcy court judges.

Attorneys for American Airlines convinced the Texas judge that the company would be “irreparably injured by damage to its reputation among its employees and loss of market place good will” if the election proceeded, even though those arguments seem hardly plausible on their face.

It’s not the scheduled election that has damaged American Airlines’ reputation among their employees. It is the total disrespect they have shown you by the cuts they have imposed, ignoring your input, denying you your right to vote.

At issue is the fact that American Airlines is fighting very hard to prevent its workers from unionizing:

But there's a pretty significant private sector unionization effort ongoing right now at American Airlines where the Communications Workers of America have been trying to organize the passenger service workers. Airlines and railroads operate under a somewhat separate set of labor laws from most private employers, and until recently those laws had said that if 35 percent of workers sign a union card that will trigger an up-or-down vote on the workers formally forming a collective bargaining unit. As it became clear that the CWA was likely to reach the 35 percent threshold, American started furiously lobbying to get the law changed and Republicans insisted on including a provision raising the threshold to 50 percent in last year's FAA funding bill. But the CWA got its 35 percent before the law changed.

So now we have a dispute. The CWA's position is that since the legislation didn't specifically change the rules retroactively, that nothing has changed for their situation. American, naturally, takes the opposite view and says they're now under no obligation to hold the vote.

American is also directly defying the National Mediation Board in preventing the election.

CWA responded to the judge's ruling via press release:

The decision by a U.S. District Court Judge granting a temporary restraining order to block the vote by nearly 10,000 passenger service agents means workers, not American Airlines, will suffer irreparable harm – the standard for such an order.
Clearly the airline is afraid of workers having their democratic vote and has been fighting hard to stop it.

Agents who are being forced to make life-changing decisions right now about their jobs will be harmed by this vote not going forward, not American Airlines that filed for bankruptcy with $4 billion in the bank, in large part to throw out its collective bargaining agreements with union workers and gut the jobs, benefits and working conditions for the passenger service group.

Agents who want a union have been battling a vicious attack campaign for 15 years at American Airlines. This election, after repeated delays by American Airlines, finally was set by the National Mediation Board. But American Airlines doesn’t want to follow the law, it’s trying to rewrite the law.

There is no retroactivity for legislation, and clearly none for the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization. That’s been made clear to the airline by Senate leaders, who wrote to CEO Thomas Horton on May 15. “Beyond the clearly established precedent that limits the retroactivity of changes in the law, in this case, Congress included specific language in the amendments addressing this issue,” they said.

The Senate went even further, they wrote, with floor discussion by the two leading chairmen, Senators Rockefeller and Harkin, confirming that “the showing of interest requirement set forth in this legislation should only apply prospectively.”

The Communications Workers of America will continue to stand with the thousands of agents at American Airlines who want their union voice. We will continue to spotlight how this airline is ignoring Congress and trying to impose its own interpretation of congressional intent. We will make every legal challenge and argument necessary to make sure that agents get their right to vote.

The facts are on our side. American Airlines picked the wrong fight.

Learn more about the story at American Airlines Agent.

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A elementary school principal at PS 195 in Queens, New York City has barred a fifth-grade student from delivering a speech about marriage equality to the rest of the school even though he won a class competition.

Same sex marriage is legal in New York, but principal Beryl Bailey told Kameron Slade's mother that the topic was not appropriate for a school speech. The boy was given the choice of writing another speech or sitting out of the contest.

"For him to be denied the right to voice his opinion really upsets me," the mother told NY1.

Kameron Slade explained why he was disappointed when he got the news.

"I was really looking forward to it," Kameron remarked. "I thought that this was a real good winning speech for tomorrow."

"She said that people have different opinions on it and that some parents may not want their children to learn about this type of topic."

In his speech, the student says he supports marriage equality and calls for tolerance from others.

"Like President Obama, I believe that all people should have the right to marry whoever they want," Kameron insists, speaking of his mother's gay friends. "They seem happy and best of all, they seem to love each other."

The school's website indicated that "Democracy Speeches" were being delivered by grades 1-5 on Friday.

For his part, the Kameron said he was preparing a new speech about animal cruelty.

"Public schools, like all institutions of learning, are supposed to teach facts and relevant topics," The New Civil Rights Movement's David Badash observed. "Schools need to recognize that for students to learn about equality, they have to start teaching it."

A documentary by Caroline Gray: Occupy Chicago is a film on the Occupy movement that reveals how important the movement truly is and what it means to fight against those who continue to destroy democracy in the United States. "We are collectively figuring out democracy and figuring out what it means to fight" said an Occupy Chicago organizer. Those of you who have misconceptions about the Occupy Movement will hopefully have a change of mind after viewing this documentary. "This is a movement of the people", another occupier in Chicago added, proving that this movement is reinforcing democratic ways, while resisting current conditions in our government that defy democracy and our rights in the United States. Stand up. Fight Back. Occupy.

I've been looking through videos this morning all mocking Mitt Romney's attempts to connect with regular Americans, but this one from David Letterman made me laugh out loud! This one comes by way of Chris Matthews earlier this week on Hardball. Enjoy!

B Media Collective, a community-based video art collective, presents "Occupation Nation," an hourlong montage of remixed shorts that explore the philosophical roots of Occupy Movement. As zombie banksters threaten to consume all that's left of our spectacular society, B Media's fifth video variety show showcases the mycelia network of Occupy Wall Street. Deeply rooted in historical and international precedents that have the potential to turn toxic assets and discarded derivatives into new communities, this shared vision and collective decision-making empowers us all.

The film calls on us to remember the Oaxacan teacher strikes and the Bonus Army, and it explores this new technological global revolution by riffing on the work of video ninjas everywhere. Darryl Mitchell and David Graeber's dialectics break down the bricks of Wall Street, PeeWee Herman interviews Emma Goldman about the black bloc, Mr. Bean gets peppersprayed, and Obama is mic-checked in his Disney World as the police protect the smart ALEC's running the show.

This amazing video touches on most all of the ills of the world: pollution, abuse of the environment, nuclear energy, fracking, water pollution, poverty, starvation, hunger, income disparity, politics, lack of healthcare, indifference and war. Combined with the moving music, it's possibly the most moving video you'll see at just over 3 minutes in length. Buenísimo!

Via Occupy Wall Street:

More than 90,000 protesters, including the indignad@s and supporters of the #YoSoy132 student movement, took part in nonviolent, nonpartisan marches against political and media corruption in Mexico during the presidential debates last Sunday. Social media activists affiliated with #YoSoy132 have issued a video calling for supporters across the world to build an international movement for real democracy regardless of national borders. They ask for solidarity rallies at Mexican embassies and consulates to put pressure on the government and electoral officials ahead of the July 1 elections.

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Parents in Washington state -- and a few conservative websites -- are outraged after an elementary school principal described sex acts during a sexual education class last week.

According to KCPQ, the principal of Onalaska Elementary School was talking to 11- and 12-year-old students about HIV and sexually transmitted diseases when she asked was about oral and anal sex.

The principal's answer allegedly included verbal descriptions of those sex acts.

Parent Jean Pannkuk recalled to Fox News Radio what her daughter said she was taught: "You take a man’s penis and you put it in your mouth – that’s what the girls do to the boys. ... The boys spread the girls legs apart and put their mouths down on the vaginas."

"Basically, how I feel and others that I've talked to, it’s just the same as raping somebody, but you’re raping their innocence instead of their physical being," parent James Gilliand explained to KCPQ. "When you hit those levels and the sexual acts, you might as well hand them a Kama Sutra book or something, you know?"

Superintendent Scott Fentor defended the lesson by saying that the principal was just following the state's sexual education requirements that were adopted in 1988.

“In reality, she stuck to the curriculum, it's pretty difficult to talk about STDs, sexually transmitted diseases, without explaining what that is," Fentor said. "Kids leaving 5th grade and moving into middle school start getting exposed to a lot more information, and we know that`s the age where many children start to become sexually active, unfortunately. And that`s a scary thought, [but] that's the truth."

A notice was sent to parents on March 26 giving the chance to review the program and opt out. Fentor said only three parents showed up to examine the curriculum, and only one or two parents asked for their kids to be excused from the class.

Glenn Beck's The Blaze website called the lesson "bizarre" and "disturbing."

via Occupy Oakland

WHERE: Lakeview Elementary School, 746 Grand Avenue, Oakland CA 94610
WHAT: Sit-in Protest To Reverse Closures of Oakland Public Schools
WHEN: Beginning Friday, June 15 at 1:00 p.m. PST
WHO: Teachers, parents, students, allies, and all who believe in public education

At the end of this school year, the Oakland Unified School District plans to close five public elementary schools and hand children’s school buildings over to private charter schools and district administration offices. Hundreds of the displaced students have been placed by the district in elementary schools that are 10 miles away, and the school district has offered no guarantee that transportation will be provided for families. In response…

Oakland Parents and Teachers Are Sitting-in to Keep Neighborhood Schools Open!

We Need Your Support!!!

On June 15th, after the last day of school, Oakland parents and teachers will sit in at Lakeview Elementary demanding that the district keep all neighborhood schools open. The district has not listened to lawsuits, pleas from parents and teachers, or protests. We know the money exists, but still they insist on closing flatland schools serving predominantly black and brown children. We say no more excuses! We’re keeping the schools open the last way left to us, by sitting-in. But we cannot do this alone. We need your support! Demand the district and the politicians give us full funding for quality education in neighborhood public schools. Join the fight for our kids’ futures!

We demand:

Don’t Close the 5 Schools! Keep All Neighborhood Schools Open! Children’s Needs Before Administration’s!
Stop Attacks on Teachers and School Workers! Teacher Conditions=Student Conditions.
Refuse to Pay the Unjust State Debt!
Fully Fund Quality Public Education for All Students!

Support the People’s School for Public Education:

Friday 6/15 @ 1:00pm – Community Speakout & BBQ Friday 6/15 @ 4:00pm – Rally to Kick-Off Sit-In Saturday 6/16 @ 2:00pm – People’s School Solidarity Rally Every Night starting Friday @ 9:00 – Solidarity Watch

Join our work committees to organize for this action – Email education4the99 [at] gmail.com to get involved!

On Monday, the 18th, we will be starting a free, week-long social justice summer program for our kids – Email education4the99[at]gmail.com for more info and to enroll your child.

Spread the word – Tell your friends and family!

———————

The following are the Principles Of Action for Lakeview Elementary. This is a parent, teacher, and student led action. Please respect and abide by their principles:

Refer all interviews to parents, teachers, and people directly impacted by education struggle who are on a sit-in committee (they will be wearing a special shirt).
Do not confront the police.
No Black Bloc tactics.
No Drugs or Alcohol. This is intended to be a children and family atmosphere.
No Violence No destruction of property.
People sitting in will be people directly affected by education struggle and who work on a sit-in committee (wearing special shirts).
This is a peaceful action.

For more information, and to get involved: and education4the99.wordpress.com

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Jon Stewart took the members of the United States Senate Banking Committee to task after their disgusting display this week where they were fawning all over JPMorgan Chase CEO, Jamie Dimon. Not surprising, as Stewart pointed out, given Dimon is one of their largest campaign donors. As Stewart concluded after going through the list of reforms that these Republicans have opposed in regulating the banks:

STEWART: Must be nice to be a Republican Senator sometimes, because you get the fun of breaking sh*t and the joy of complaining the sh*t you just broke doesn’t work.

Here's more from TPM on this week's hearing: Senators Fawn Over JPMorgan CEO After Massive Trading Debacle:

The long-shot big hope for Wall Street reformers Wednesday was that JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon would trip up before the Senate Banking Committee and expose the need for tighter rules governing big banks. His firm, after all, recently lost billions making risky bets with depositor funds on the line.

Instead, with some notable exceptions, the senators themselves turned the cross-examination into a coronation, and exposed the extent to which elected officials still feel compelled to genuflect to powerful financial interests.

“You’re obviously renowned, rightfully so I think, as being one of the most, you know, one of the best CEOs in the country for financial institutions,” crooned Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN). “You missed this, it’s a blip on the radar screen.”

Most of the fawning came from GOP senators who in addition to relying on Wall Street largesse remain engaged in a political campaign against President Obama’s 2010 financial reform law. But some Democrats also treated Dimon if not quite like royalty then perhaps as a trusted confidant. [...]

His exchanges with GOP senators were even more saccharine. Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) — a tea party hero — gave Dimon a full pardon. “I really appreciate you voluntarily coming in to talk with us,” he said. “It is important that we talk about things happening in the industry. It helps us as we look forward and, hopefully, it will contribute to best practice scenarios in industry. I appreciate your emphasis on continuous quality improvement. We can hardly sit in judgment of your losing $2 billion. We lose twice that every day in Washington.”

Stewart went after DeMint for that ridiculous remark, asking if he thought spending money was the same as losing money.