workers rights

Organized labor in the U.S. has been under sustained assault for some time; now, unions are fighting back with a major ad campaign designed to improve their image. Problem is, the centerpiece commercial mangles the message -- and misses the point.

A century after the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire claimed the lives of 146 seamstresses in New York, worker protections are eroding around the world. As government and corporate interests from Bangladesh to Wisconsin wage war on the rights of labor, have the lessons of the Triangle disaster been forgotten?

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.

After increases during 2007 and 2008 in the number of unionized workers, 2010 is following 2009 in showing a big drop. Governments now employ more union labor than the private sector does, but both categories showed declines in 2010. It's a far cry from labor's glory years.

Just in time for Labor Day, domestic workers in New York state got a gift of sorts -- a workers' bill of rights, which Gov. David Paterson signed into law last week. The measure guarantees nannies, housekeepers and care providers to the elderly are paid overtime, get time off and are protected against sexual harassment.

The financial media's coverage of China tends to focus on trade-related topics, but China is undergoing deep cultural shifts that will significantly alter its economic landscape. These four long-term trends could drastically change China -- and its relationship with the world.

A 26-year-old employee at Fidelity Investments was fired for playing fantasy football while at work, violating company rules against gambling. The incident raises an interesting question: Do younger workers, raised on the Internet, understand the difference between work and play?

Artists' models of all shapes and sizes in Paris braved the cold Monday to protest against a ban on tips and low salaries that are just above minimum wage. For waiters and anyone else who has relied on tips to make a living, this is a splashy way to make a statement. It's not your typical worker...