health care benefits

As wages and benefits shrink, state workers are retiring in droves. On top of all the layoffs, these retirements amount to a huge brain drain, and the problem will only get worse given the yawning budget gaps of states from coast to coast.

Since the 1930s, when the National Labor Relations Board was established, no state has ever sought to prohibit workers from organizing. But in Wisconsin, collective-bargaining rights are under "assault," in President Obama's words. And other states are watching.

Fast food giant McDonald's is seeking exemption from new regulations in the health reform bill in order to continue coverage for employees.

As health care costs continue to rise, more and more employers are looking at ways to either cut benefits or increase the amount employees pay towards those benefits. Without some significant action from Congress this year to contain health care costs, you can certainly expect to see more employers...