China Revises Law on Workers’ Rights

New York Times: By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

BEIJING, June 29 (AP) — China enacted a labor law Friday meant to improve workers’ rights amid complaints about unpaid wages and other abuses, and an official tried to assure wary foreign investors they will not be hurt by the new standards.

The law is the most significant change in Chinese labor law in more than a decade. Its approval followed 18 months of deliberation, public debate and complaints by activists that foreign business groups were trying to erode workers’ rights. ...

The legislation sets standards for labor contracts, use of temporary workers, layoffs and other employment conditions in a rapidly changing economy, according to a report issued by the legislature. ...

Most complaints are directed at Chinese employers or smaller companies run by foreign entrepreneurs. Major Western companies are regarded as offering the best pay and working conditions. But state media are quick to publicize accusations of misconduct against well-known American and other Western employers.

Passage of the labor law comes as the communist government is trying to update its legal and political structures to keep pace with a rapidly changing society and market-oriented economic reforms.

Starbucks Accused of Firing Outspoken Barista

New York Times Blog:

The Starbucks Corporation has gotten in trouble again with the National Labor Relations Board over how it treats pro-union employees.

The union contends that a worker was fired for attending a book-release event by Howard Schultz, the founder of Starbucks, at a Starbucks at 29th Street and Park Avenue, where protesters chanted, “Shame, shame.”...

At the time, the board asserted that Starbucks supervisors:

* prohibited employees from discussing the union while off duty;
* interrogated employees about their support for the union;
* threatened to fire employees for supporting the union;
* disciplined workers or sent them home for supporting the union;
* arbitrarily implemented a new rule prohibiting employees from wearing more then one pro-union button at any time;
* selectively enforced a dress code that, among other things, prohibited employees from wearing more than two earrings per ear.

...“It’s beyond dispute now that Starbucks is waging one of the most relentless anti-union operations in the United States today,” said Stuart L. Lichten, a lawyer for the Industrial Workers of the World, the union trying to organize Starbucks workers. “If Wal-Mart has a soul mate in the union-busting arena, it’s Starbucks.”

It doesn't sound like anyone is ready to "chill out".
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Labor Law Reform and progressive politics

TomPaine.com - Labor Law Reform Not Just For Unions:

A bill now moving through Congress to expand workers' rights could be the most important legislation in decades to advance the concerns of environmentalists, public schools, higher education, senior citizens, universal health care, housing, women's and gay rights, and civil rights.

The bill—called the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA)—is understandably the top priority for America's labor unions. It would mean better wages, benefits and working conditions for all employees. It would also make it more likely for unions to win organizing drives in workplaces.

But why should other constituencies rally behind this effort to reform the nation's labor laws? The reason is simple. The labor movement is still the most effective political force for electing liberal candidates at the local, state and federal levels. Once in office, pro-labor politicians are typically also the strongest advocates of strong environment laws, funding for public schools and higher education, civil rights, women's rights, gay rights, universal health insurance, affordable housing and protection of Social Security. A strong labor movement benefits these other agendas and causes, which have been under attack by conservative forces in recent years.