News From NASRO

Case/Schiller Housing Price Report for April 2008 Signals Housing Depression Intensifying

Bush Expected Veto of House and Senate Housing Foreclosure Bill In an Action Similar to Herbet Hoover in 1930. Read the Standard and Poor's Case Shiller Report To Gain Insight Into the Risk of Economic Loss That Threatens 19 out of 20 of the Major Housing Markets in the U.S.

North Carolina and Indiana Democratic Party Primary Results Signal Victory for Barak Obama

May 7, 2008

The election results demonstrated that Barak Obama has been able to convince primary voters that his character is intact and that his decision making is based on principle not expediency. While Hillary Clinton and Bill Clinton may continue to campaign, she no longer has a chance of winning the nomination, when the votes are analyzed. The campaign has been a typical one in tone, but the vote totals of the two candidates have been historic. There is no reason why both sides should not be able to find a way to work together and navigate an election victory in November. The momentum for the Democratic party should start building from here as issue choices between the two parties come into sharper focus. The U.S. is still in the middle of a financial crisis, and Rep. Barney Frank, chairman of the House Banking Committee is about to lead the passage of a bill to address home mortgage foreclosures. President Bush will veto the bill and a vote to override the veto must take place soon there after. The passage of the bill is critical to the economy. Any member of Congress, up for reelection,who fails to vote for this bill will be facing real exposure to be voted out of office in November.

Jobs With Justice 2008 National Conference

May 5, 2008

NASRO was recently invited to and attended the bi-annual conference of mostly young activists, who are dedicated to making the U.S. workplace once again a place were justice and equality are the norm. The organization is now 20 years old and the 1,000 plus conference attendees came to Providence, Rhode Island for serious strategy talk about how to better organize for universal health care, immigrants rights, and many other issues that affect the everyday lives of working class people in the U.S.

As most people who are NASRO members, who run their own businesses or are independent contractors know, corporate culture in most large companies is something to escape from as fast as you learn the industry and can start working for your self. But many people can not escape and they need to ban together and join new types of labor organizations like Jobs with Justice and their affiliated organizations in large numbers to improve their lives.

The conference included the participation of a much more diverse community than is normally witnessed at many union conferences and conventions. The leadership role of many young and very talented women was especially refreshing. The emphasis on grassroots activism, growth though working and struggling together in autonomous local coalitions, and civil discourse sets this group apart from most others we have seen over the past sixteen years of our existence. NASRO has officially joined the local Massachusetts Jobs with Justice Coalition. We are already part of numerous single issue coalitions in a number of states. We look forward to working with Jobs with Justice in other cities.

Proposal to Suspend the Federal Gas Tax Without Merit

May 1, 2008

The United States energy industry is highly leveraged and unstable in a manner similar to the financial industry. This situation is one that highly favors energy companies such as Exxon/Mobil, who continue to benefit from the rise in energy costs. The proposal by Presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and John McCain to suspend the gas tax should be well received by these same energy companies, because if implemented it will increase the demand for gasoline in the U.S. and that will raise the price of gasoline paid to the energy companies all along the energy distribution network.

Our situation is one which calls for massive conservation and conversion to lower our costs and improve our security. Businesses, communities and consumers by their business plans and purchasing decisions need to be encouraged to take action now to abandon their low gas mileage cars and trucks, for their own self interest and the interest of the country. We can not wait for a new President. If we also slow down on the highways, take public transportation and organize car pools in our cities and towns we can work together and have a short term impact on the price of gasoline and give encouragement to our new President to implement the long term socially responsible solutions we need to be able to agree on.

Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Sends Seven Buses of People to Break Up Labor Reformers Conference in Detroit.

2008 seiu in protest at conference 250 image

April 15, 2008

In a display of particularly open undemocratic behavior, the SEIU attempted to disrupt the Labor Notes Conference in Detroit.

News Resources

Recommended news sources that represent a cross section of editorial bias from the mainstream and alternative media, which our members can make up their own minds. Member suggestions of additional media outlets is most appreciated.

Arts & Letters Daily

Boston Globe

Business Ethics Magazine

Fast Company Magazine

Harvard Business Review

Inc. Magazine

Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility

The International Centre for Business Performance and Corporate Responsibility