By Sahid Fawaz

The next time you hear someone claim that unions are no longer needed, share with them these six facts and graphs. As these numbers reveal, there is a strong correlation between unions and worker prosperity. The saying, “as unions go, so does the middle class,” is more accurate than ever. That is why it is imperative that we all strive to grow the labor movement and fight for greater economic equality for all members of the working class.

 1.    The growth of middle class disposable income is declining.

By Guest Blogger Ashley Beard-Fosnow

Fall is finally here and I am ready to reintroduce soup into our dinner menus!  Here are three soups we eat often.  These soups are cheap, easy, and include as many Union Made ingredients as possible.

Chicken Noodle Soup:
Boil w/ 2 Quarts water 4-6 Tyson Chicken Breasts
Add:
2 c. chopped carrots
2 c. chopped celery
2 c. chopped onion
2 chicken bullion cubes
And boil for 10 minutes.  Add:
2 cans Campbell’s Cream of Chicken Soup
1 can evaporated milk
4 c. slightly cooked Ronzoni Small Egg Bows
Morton Salt and Durkee Pepper to taste

By Sahid Fawaz

AFL-CIO: www.facebook.com/aflcio

–    The AFL-CIO Facebook page is a great way to stay current on the macro labor and political issues of the day. A definite must-follow for anyone who wants to stay in the know on the labor movement’s fight for workers’ rights.

By Michael Messina

Here at Labor 411 we have to be on top of all the current labor news in the country. Admittedly, that news can often be quite dry, so I rounded up a few guys who love to talk labor, economics and the like, and make the topic accessible and often fun. And we just happen to share a similar point of view. Enjoy!

1. Peeps: These guys go all out for the holidays and Halloween is no different. They have an assortment of spongy confections that includes chocolate-dipped orange chicks, marshmallow pumpkins (also come in chocolate-dipped variety), marshmallow ghosts and chocolate mousse flavored cats.

By Guest Blogger Ashley Beard-Fosnow

A couple of nasty bugs are going around in our neck of the woods. I was awoken one night last week by the sentence I dread hearing most, “Mommy, I feel sick.” — followed by 24 hours of vomiting. I try to keep the medicine cabinet stocked for just this occasion. The following is a great list of Union Made products from the Labor 411 Directory to cure whatever ails you:

1.    Workers’ real incomes are declining

Americans are working harder and more hours than ever, yet their real incomes have been in decline over the last decade and have not moved up at all over the last twenty years.  Without the negotiating power that comes from collective bargaining, many workers simply don’t have the leverage to stop the decline of their purchasing power – even as their productivity increases and their employers get richer.

By Michael Messina

I am a beer drinker. I like the tastes and aesthetic qualities that make up a good pint of ale, lager, porter, whatever. I got a book on beer for Christmas one year, but that doesn’t make me a connoisseur or beer professor by any means. For example, picking out subtle notes of exotic spices is not something I pride myself on, but I do appreciate the way a beer smells as I drink it.

Begrudgingly, my personal taste tends to conflict with a few of the mainstream brews that we promote as “union made” here at Labor 411. Will I drink a Budweiser or Miller? Of course, when the situation is right, like if it’s ice-cold and I’m floating down the river with the sun scorching and my cares to the wind, or if I’m washing down a salty hot dog at the ball park. On those occasions I’m game, but when I’m out with my buds (pun definitely intended) I prefer to have the barmaid draw me a pint with more of a micro-brew personality.

Looking for some great inspirational quotes and words of wisdom about the labor movement? We’ve put together twenty-five of our favorite from activists, presidents, and more!

“Only a fool would try to deprive working men and working women of their right to join the union of their choice.” – Dwight D. Eisenhower

“You are never strong enough that you don’t need help.” – Cesar Chavez (image)

“Every piece of progressive social legislation passed by Congress in the 20th century bears a union label.” – George Meany