worker

Qwest union workers reject deal

Union workers at Qwest Communications International rejected a proposed three-year contract on Tuesday. But so far, there doesn't seem to be a threat of a strike.

Representatives of the Communications Workers of America and Qwest said they'd meet again this week to continue talks, according to the Associated Press. CWA represents roughly 29,000 Qwest employees in 13 states. Qwest is the primary phone company in 14 Western states.

Union members had authorized a strike when the contract expired in August, but the workers continued working. The two sides reached a tentative agreement days later.

Qwest representatives told … Read more

Qwest reaches agreement with unions

Qwest Communications International has reached a tentative agreement with two labor unions averting a potential strike that could have disrupted service for the Democratic and Republican national conventions to be held in the next few weeks.

On Monday, Qwest and its largest labor union, the Communications Workers of America, said that they had agreed on a three-year deal that will cover some 20,000 Qwest employees in 13 states who are represented by the union.

Qwest also reached a tentative agreement with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, which represents employees in Montana.

Qwest's union workers had authorized a strike … Read more

Study shows U.S. broadband speeds continue to lag

The average download and upload speeds for broadband services across the U.S. have remained relatively unchanged over the past year as the U.S. continues to lag behind other countries in terms of broadband speeds, according to a report published by the Communications Workers of America labor union.

The report, released Tuesday, consists of data from 230,000 online speed tests across the U.S. In its Speed Matters blog announcing the study's results, the group highlighted that the average download speeds increased only 0.4 megabits per second to 2.3Mbps. By contrast, the average download speed … Read more

The rise of digital nomadism

On the occasion of Independence Day, Steve Rubel reflects on the growing independence of knowledge workers in the network economy and predicts the rise of "Digital Nomads:"

"If you spend as much time on the road as I do, you're likely to run into Digital Nomads. This sector of the workforce includes both independents and corporate workers. They use web-based tools like Twitter, wikis, Google Docs, social networks and Skype to collaborate and work wherever, whenever and however they want.

(...)

The reality is that many of the tools that workers need to do their jobs are … Read more

Study: U.S. retains lead in science, tech

In sizing up the nation's status as a world leader in science and technology, here's a little good news-bad news from a study released Thursday by the nonprofit think tank Rand.

The U.S. remains the worldwide leader in science and technology, based on R&D spending, the number of Nobel Prize winners who call the U.S. home, and the number of top universities sitting on U.S. turf.

But the bad news is the U.S. educational system, kindergarten through high school, continues to underperform in developing bright minds in math and science. Europe and … Read more

Lawyers' words are kerosene on the flaming H-1B bonfire

Much of life is timing. And in this case we have video of lawyers saying things that will only add more fuel to the already burning issues of immigration and controversial H-1B visas.

Speaking to his law firm's clients, Lawrence Lebowitz advises them, "Our goal is clearly not to find a qualified and interested U.S. worker. And that, in a sense, that sounds funny, but it's what we're trying to do here."

A lawyer working with Lebowitz outlines what employers may have to do if a qualified U.S. citizen does apply for a … Read more

A toolbox that plays music

Construction workers appreciate music on the job as much as anyone, as we were reminded recently with a Makita radio designed specifically for building sites, so it makes sense that someone would eventually come along and market a music toolbox for them as well. The "G-Tech Tune Time Tool Box" not only has plenty of space for power drills and wrenches, but it also comes with built-in NXT speakers and an abundance of pockets for digital accoutrements.

Tech Digest says the $108 bag is made of "durable double-layer 6006 polyester," which means that it would survive … Read more

Another robot for a human-free Japan

It's creepy even to think this, but we have to wonder if there's some correlation between Japan's declining population and its obsession with robots. Is it possible that the island nation is intentionally preparing to cede a portion of its society to machines?

The country has always shown a borderline-unhealthy fascination with robots, but recent developments seem to be aimed specifically at populating the service industry's work force. We've seen a system to replace surly hotel clerks and robots that can act as hospital receptionists and porters. Now enter Ubiko from UBIX, an all-purpose bot … Read more

Humanoid robot gets a grip, literally

If we toured a factory and saw these guys working the assembly line, we'd probably run in the other direction.

Japanese researchers are working on a multi-jointed humanoid robot with a "robust and dexterous human-sized robotic hand," a significant advancement beyond its clumsier and weaker predecessors, according to Pink Tentacle.

While other robots developed for fun boast features such as 17 adjustable joints, the hand alone of the prototype pictured here has four joints in each finger and a thumb with five. This allows flexibility that can perform far more delicate operations than previous robots could possibly … Read more