New Mexico city officials raise min. wage to $8.50
Scores of local governments around the country have set their own minimum wages affecting employees with government contracts, but the Santa Fe City Council ordinance goes further, requiring all businesses and nonprofit organizations to pay workers a minimum of $8.50 an hour. The state minimum wage is $4.25 an hour. The federal minimum wage is $5.15. Santa Fe is a mecca for tourists and Hollywood stars and has become increasingly expensive over the years. Proponents of the higher wage say it is desperately needed by a work force trapped in low-paying hospitality jobs. Opponents, including business owners, say the proposed new wage will force higher prices, lay-offs, and the closure of marginal businesses. A court challenge to the ordinance is planned by several groups. (AP)

Union membership in US hits new low
Union membership dropped last year to the lowest level in almost two decades as manufacturing companies hemorrhaged traditional union jobs faster than organizers could build new membership in other areas. Some unions are experimenting with affiliate memberships. While not full-fledged members, affiliates get all union benefits except collective bargaining or grievance protections. “Weaker union membership numbers are grim news for the entire nation,” said AFL-CIO President John Sweeney. He said unions increase productivity, economic stability, and workers’ economic status. The rate of union membership has fallen steadily since data was first recorded in 1983 when membership was 20.1 percent. In 2002, 13.2 percent of America’s workforce belonged to a union. (AP)

Algeria comesto standstill in general strike
Algeria came to a standstill last week as a two-day general strike began in protest against the government’s privatization policy and to urge better pay and working conditions. The air, rail, banking, health, news, and educational sectors ground to a halt as workers heeded the powerful Algerian General Worker’s Union (UGTA) strike call. The oil and gas sectors were not affected by the strike. The UGTA is not opposed to reforming the economy but says the government’s privatization policy — aimed at creating a market economy — is unclear, lacks transparency, and will push Algeria “right over the edge.” The strike was also called to protest the precarious state of Algeria’s social security and pension schemes and the erosion of workers’ incomes, which the UGTA says are driving increasing numbers of families into poverty. Nearly a third of the workforce is unemployed. A government spokesperson said the government is trying to put Algeria in “a competitive position in a world that is changing very rapidly,” and is “open with our social partners with the aim of finding solutions to workers’ problems.” (Middle East Online)

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