While at one time organized labor played a valuable role in establishing workers' rights when there were few protected by government, today it is clinging to a world that no longer exists, and, in doing so, risks becoming completely irrelevant and ineffective,

Ultimately, American business and organized labor should want the same thing: a more competitive and prosperous America.

The Department of Labor is committed to getting benefits to eligible workers and their families as quickly as possible.

Businesses are finding it increasingly difficult to hire qualified workers to fill specific positions, especially high-tech and skilled-labor jobs, which are in demand in Connecticut. The retirement of the baby boom generation in a few years will lead to a critical shortage of workers with the skills necessary to compete in today's high-tech global economy. We need to make sure that employees entering the work force can help drive the innovation and productivity gains that our economy needs to remain competitive in the global marketplace.

This is not a labor dispute. This is negotiations. Pemco has declared war on the workers.

We are producing more jobs than the labor market has workers for ... we're desperate for immigration,