L.A. County supervisors OK plan for Universal Studios expansion

The $1.6-billion proposal, including office and production space, a bike path along the L.A. River and a Harry Potter attraction, would bring 30,000 jobs and $15 million in annual tax revenue, officials say

Your Guide to Buying Union

The 2013 edition of Labor 411-LA is now available! The LA County Federation of Labor and publisher Senders Communications Group are pleased to present our new annual directory, the nation’s largest and most comprehensive guide to union goods and services. Labor 411-LA boasts the status of leading union directory nationwide featuring 4,700 products.

How Corporations Use Offshore Havens to Avoid Paying Their Taxes

Current laws in the United States allow corporations to use offshore havens to avoid paying their taxes and, if it's up to many in Washington, the problem will only grow larger, particularly if the so-called "territorial" tax system is passed. The details of the use of such tax havens were discussed in a conference call with Campaign for America's Future (CAF), Americans for Tax Fairness (ATF) and Citizens for Tax Justice (CTJ).

EPI: Missouri's Paycheck Deception Bills Not Necessary to Protect Workers

A new report from the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) shows that two Missouri paycheck deception bills are not necessary to protect workers and they would limit the free speech and political spending of unions and organized workers, while allowing unlimited corporate spending on political causes.

New Report Identifies Flaws in Unemployment Insurance Fund; Proposes Commonsense Fixes

California Labor Federation Calls for Overhaul to Put Fund on Path to Solvency

Don’t Close The Curtain On Film Tax Credit

The film and television industry is extraordinarily mobile. Productions can be set up anywhere, and many producers are choosing to set up productions outside of California.
In 2003, more than 66 percent of studio feature films were shot in California. In 2011, that number dropped to less than 40 percent.
Other states have seen rapid growth in their film industries because of generous tax incentives and lower overall production costs. In fact, Louisiana reaped more than $900 million in film production last year.

New Mexico wants to beat California incentives

New Mexico is very much living up to its "it grows as it goes" motto. State legislators unanimously approved a bill that will increase New Mexico's TV production refundable tax credit from 25 percent to 30 percent.

The competition appears to be heating up between California and New Mexico. California only offers a tax credit of 20-25 percent on qualified spending but just announced that it might offer free location fees on pilots and first seasons.

Australian Government Adds $19.6 Million to Location Incentives

SYDNEY-- The Australian government has promised AUS$20 million ($19.6 million) to boost its film locations incentive program as a precursor to an increase in the Location Offset should the value of the Australian dollar remain high against foreign currencies, particularly the U.S. dollar.

Union Organizing

When workers have a union, they have a voice on the job. Working together, they negotiate good wages and working conditions so they can provide a better life for their families. Union members have higher wages, greater job stability, retirement security, and access to quality healthcare for their families. It is no wonder that 57 million Americans who are not union members say they want to be part of one.

The Great Austerity Experiment Has 'Failed Spectacularly'

Austerity, AFL-CIO Policy Director Damon Silvers said in a tweet yesterday, is "seeing a drowning man and pushing him under....[it] destroys worker bargaining power and replaces social insurance with Wall St. fees."
The Center for American Progress (CAP), echoing Silvers' sentiment, is calling on Congress to abandon job-killing cuts and "grand bargains"—which aren't so "grand" for America's working families—and focus on what the country really needs: jobs.

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