| Beware
of false comparisons: Social Security is an insurance program
Imagine a private insurance company trying to offer a policy to
205 million Americans that would cover death, disability and retirement.
The policy would guarantee a monthly check to the policy-holder
and their dependent spouse and children. And all the benefits would
be adjusted with an annual cost-of-living increase. Plus the insurer
could make no profit. And the administrative costs would be just
six-tenths of a percent.
Debate
rages about the fate of Social Security
America’s high-profile debate about Social Security continued
in March, with President George W. Bush still touring the United
States touting his proposal for privatizing Social Security, and
Democrats, labor unions and AARP countering him at every move.
Anti-worker CAFTA
treaty may be nearing vote in Congress
Since it was signed by the presidents of five nations in May 2004,
CAFTA — the grandson of NAFTA — has taken a long rest.
Now, a hearing is scheduled April 6 before the U.S. Senate Finance
Committee. Both Oregon senators are members of the 20-member committee.
BOLI rules multi-use
housing project subject to wage laws
The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries has ruled that a multi-use
project involving the Housing Authority of Portland is subject to
prevailing wage regulations. UA Local 290 instigated the review
after filing a prevailing wage complaint. |
