Newscast for Monday, December 10, 2012

Activists challenge the constitutionality of the filibuster in federal court

A coalition of activists and lawmakers are in federal court today, challenging the constitutionality of the filibuster. The case comes as a bill to reform the filibuster is gaining support in the Senate. But the US government wants the lawsuit thrown out, saying the plaintiffs have no standing to sue, and that the judicial branch would be encroaching on the Senate’s powers if it struck the filibuster down. FSRN’s Alice Ollstein was at the court in Washington, DC this morning, and brings us this report.

Ahead of Michigan Right to Work vote, opponents fight to protect collective bargaining

In Michigan, union members and their supporters continue to protest against the Workplace Equity and Fairness Act. It’s a package of so-called Right to Work legislation that opponents say is politically motivated and will give corporations more power to silence workers. Governor Rick Snyder says the legislation is about workplace fairness and equity. As a prelude to larger union protests tomorrow, when lawmakers are expected to take up the bills again, this morning, nurses from the Michigan Nurses Association stood silent on the steps of the Capitol with duct tape covering their mouths. We spoke with Jeff Breslin, a Registered Nurse and the Association’s President. He was at the protest.

In the UK, activists protest controversial mandatory work scheme

To cut its national debt, the UK government has pledged to reduce the amount it spends on the welfare state. Last week, Britain’s equivalent of Treasury Secretary, Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced major cuts to benefits for the unemployed, the sick and people with disabilities. The Government is also trying to get people off benefits and back into work with a controversial series of mandatory work schemes, called Workfare. Since the schemes were introduced last year, tens of thousands of unemployed people have completed unpaid work placements for businesses and charities in return for their benefits. Over the weekend, anti-workfare protests were held in eight cities. FSRN’s Tom Allan went to one and files this report.

Immigrant rights advocates in Canada protest new legislation that could lock up more asylum seekers

December 10th is International Human Rights Day. To mark the day, activists in Canada are holding actions across the country against immigration detention and prisons. They are calling attention to new legislation set to take effect this week which could lock up asylum-seekers in much higher numbers. FSRN’s Aaron Lakoff brings us this report from Montreal.