When President Barack Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law Tuesday, Feb. 17, he put into motion a mammoth effort to invest in the US economy and create or save 3.5 million jobs over the next two years.

Peace and justice activists in Virginia's Fifth District were thrilled last November when we and our neighbors replaced Congressman Virgil Goode with Tom Perriello.

The election of Barack Obama has been historical. Historical not simply because Barack Obama is the first African American president, but also because his election victory represents another page in the history of a struggle of a whole people who have aspired to freedom and equality.

Hollywood's largest actors union and the trade group representing major studios Tuesday resumed labor talks to renew an already expired contract, as possibilities of another industry-wide strike have faded.

President Obama's economic stimulus package won final passage in Congress Friday, Feb. 13. The White House is expected to hold a prime time ceremony to sign the bill into law and set in motion a massive effort to jump start the failing economy.

As the economy crumbles and the unemployment rate soars, government intervention in the economy has shifted from being an ideological position to a necessity. Bank failures and mass bailouts have led to calls for nationalization of the financial system.

Immigrants in the United States, as well as activists supporting immigrant workers’ rights, are wondering what the impact of the current national and world financial crisis will be on immigration, and on efforts to get a better deal for immigrant workers, with or without papers, under the new administration.

The Buy America provision in the economic recovery package Congress now is finalizing has some rich and powerful voices against it.

Under strong pressure from constituents, the US Senate today, Feb. 9, knocked down an attempted GOP filibuster of President Obama's $800 billion economic recovery package.

The United Steelworkers today called for an end to the myths and mistruths about “Buy America” and domestic sourcing that are clouding the debate and generating roadblocks to creating good jobs and renewing our economy.

Who would have dreamed a year ago we would be here today with a new government and our first African American President, Barack Obama. This was an election that changed history. It forced us to face up to and struggle with issues of race and class.

I was standing on the Washington Mall on Inauguration Day, alongside nearly two million other people on Inauguration Day, and proudly watched the first African American take the oath of office in our nation’s history.

In the effort to "expose the lies and distortions" being spread about the Employee Free Choice Act, the labor advocacy group, American Rights at Work (ARAW), announced last week the launch of a new ad campaign on behalf of the bill.

President Barack Obama began this week the arduous task of reversing the Bush administration's anti-working families policies. Welcoming labor movement leaders, small business owners, and representatives of not-for-profit groups to the White House Friday, Jan. 30, Obama issued three executive orders that will promote the rights of workers.

"This is a wonderful day," President Obama announced just prior to signing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, Jan. 29th. "[I]t is fitting that the very first bill that I sign ... that it is upholding one of this nation's founding principles: that we are all created equal, and each deserve a chance to pursue our own version of happiness."

Solis, who was nominated in December, has faced opposition from some Republican members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee over her stance on labor issues. One senator on the committee has blocked a vote on her nomination by anonymously placing a hold on it last week.

Coal miners are now suffering from black lung disease at a higher rate than in the previous decade. In fact, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the prevalence of black lung disease has doubled over the past five years.

In a huge victory for working families, the Senate passed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act by a vote of 61 to 36, Thurs. Jan. 22. Because the House already passed the same bill earlier this month, supporters of the measure expect it to go to the president's desk for a signature soon.

Almost eight in 10 Americans support legislation that would make it easier for workers to join or organize labor unions, according to a new national survey from Peter D. Hart and Associates released this week.

The Obama Transition Team announced the formation of an historic task force this week – the White House Task Force on Working Families. According to the transition team's announcement, Vice President-elect Joe Biden will head the task force.