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Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Nebraska's Dan Osborn picks a race, launches Senate bid against U.S. Sen Pete Ricketts
Former Omaha labor leader Dan Osborn is running against Republican U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts in the 2026 midterms. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN — Former Omaha labor leader Dan Osborn is running against Republican U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts in the 2026 midterms. After launching an exploratory committee in April, Osborn made it official Tuesday, choosing the Senate race over potential bids for governor and the U.S. House, because, he said, 'there are not enough seats at the table' for working people. 'I'm unapologetically for the workers and their issues,' Osborn told Nebraska Examiner. Osborn boiled down his race to 'the billionaire versus the mechanic,' citing the wealth of the Ricketts family. Ricketts himself appears more likely to be a millionaire, based on his Senate financial disclosure forms. But he is part of a family that built the company that became TD Amertrade and owns Major League Baseball's Chicago Cubs. Osborn said he would approach legislation 'based on principles' and not 'on any kind of monetary [gain].' He pointed to Trump's 'big beautiful bill' as a piece of legislation with tax breaks that would make Ricketts richer 'off the backs of people' who are at risk of losing benefits from Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps. 'If I had been elected in 2024, that 'big beautiful bill' would not have gotten passed,' Osborn said. The GOP mega-bill made the tax cuts from the first Trump administration permanent, cementing most of its benefits for higher earners while also introducing some new temporary tax breaks for workers earning less. It was a central piece of President Donald Trump's domestic agenda. To offset the costs of the bill, the law reduces spending on the social safety net by adding work requirements for Medicaid and food stamps. It also lowers provider taxes that nearly every state uses to help fund Medicaid health insurance programs for low-income residents. Ricketts and the rest of Nebraska's federal delegation voted in lockstep for the legislation. Ricketts called the bill a 'once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver for Nebraska.' 'This legislation will result in increased security, strength and prosperity for the American people,' Ricketts said in a statement. 'The bill restores critical pro-growth business provisions and makes them permanent, benefiting Nebraska farming, ranching and small business.' The delegation and pro-business and anti-tax lobbying groups, including Americans for Prosperity, are touting the benefits of the bill to Nebraskans, as multiple polls indicate that Trump's signature piece of legislation is unpopular among Americans who are aware of it. Ricketts, who served two terms as Nebraska governor before being appointed to the Senate by his successor, faced some pushback from constituents in April about the bill and other issues. He won a special election to hold the Senate seat in November. This is Osborn's second Senate bid. His populist run against U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., in 2024 made national headlines for turning an expected safe race for Republicans into a potential upset. He attracted an extraordinary fundraising haul of $14 million for a federal candidate in Nebraska without direct ties to a major party, including some late money from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee once they saw his momentum. He lost by about six percentage points. Fischer, during and after the race, described him as a 'Democrat in sheep's clothing' and said the campaign finance reports confirmed her belief. State voting records show Osborn as a registered nonpartisan since at least 2004, as the Nebraska Examiner reported. Osborn said he is at a 'stronger' starting point now than in 2024 because more people in the state know him. 'We were learning how to build the plane as we were learning how to fly it last time,' Osborn told the Examiner. 'Now it's built. We know how to fly it.' Republicans have almost completely dominated America's heartland, a region once known for its prairie progressivism. If Osborn were able to unseat Ricketts, it would be the first time a non-Republican had represented Nebraska in Congress since Democratic U.S. Rep. Brad Ashford upset Republican U.S. Rep. Lee Terry in the Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District in 2014. Osborn could benefit from a bump in Democratic turnout in the Omaha area after the announced retirement of five-term Republican U.S. Rep. Don Bacon led the nonpartisan Center for Politics, the home of Larry Sabato's Crystal Ball to shift the 2nd District U.S. House race to leaning Democrat from toss-up. Ricketts has a significant political war chest and has used his own money to influence Nebraska politics. But populism, whether Osborn's approach or Trump's, is the driving force in modern politics, as voters lose faith in institutions and seek alternatives. Some political observers believe the same working-class-focused rhetoric that drove President Donald Trump's victory could give someone like Osborn an opening. Ricketts faced similar populism in 2022, when a leadership team loyal to him leading the Nebraska Republican Party was ousted in favor of a team more loyal to Trump. But the former governor retains the dominant political operation in the state. Some Republicans who crossed him in the Legislature lost seats, and his endorsement holds weight. His endorsed candidate for governor, Pillen, defeated a Trump-endorsed candidate in 2022, Charles Herbster. Ricketts already has received the endorsement of Trump. The nod came after an internal poll showed Osborn statistically tied with Ricketts, although people familiar with the endorsement process said it had been in the works for weeks and that Trump decided the timing. Will Coup, a Ricketts campaign spokesperson, said, 'Senator Ricketts has consistently worked for and voted to secure the border and cut taxes for Nebraska workers, families and seniors. Dan Osborn is bought and paid for by his liberal, out-of-state, coastal donors.' Osborn during the last race did not say whom he would caucus with if elected. His campaign had no immediate response to a similar question Monday. Osborn had been eyeing multiple potential races before narrowing it down to Ricketts' seat in April. One of the races he considered, for the state's 2nd Congressional District, has garnered significant interest from Democratic candidates. Osborn has said he didn't want to play 'spoiler' for that seat. It's unclear whether Democrats will run a candidate in the Senate race, but Osborn said it doesn't matter to him. He said both parties are 'going to do what they do.' Osborn and his supporters drew criticism in 2024 for trying to minimize the number of names on his Senate race's general election ballot other than his and Fischer's. Some Democrats grumbled that he flirted with seeking Democratic support until it was too late for them to run their own candidate, and leaders in the Legal Marijuana Now Party complained that Osborn supporters took over the party's nominating process to help clear a path for him. The Nebraska Democratic Party, in a statement, seemed to hint at support for Osborn's effort, saying, 'Breaking up the one-party stranglehold on our state is going to take an unlikely alliance of Democrats, Republicans and Independents coming together to fix a very broken Washington, D.C.' Osborn said he feels like he's set to win. 'I want to show the country, and I want to show Nebraska that we could do it differently here,' Osborn said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
The Independent
24-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Boycott of McDonald's to begin this week: ‘This is about more than burgers and fries'
A grassroots advocacy group is calling for a week-long boycott of McDonald's, accusing the fast food chain of price gouging, unfair labor practices, and avoiding taxes. 'This is about more than burgers and fries, this is about power,' The People's Union USA said in a statement on Instagram. 'When we unite and hit corporations in their wallets, they listen.' The group, which has previously called for boycotts of Amazon, Nestlé, Walmart, General Mills, and Target, accused the Golden Arches of a litany of unsavory tactics. Earlier this month, People's Union leader John Schwarz said McDonald's had a record of 'silencing' workers and blocking union attempts, as well as seeking to 'exploit global supply chains and environmental loopholes' and engaging in performative diversity initiatives while the corporation's 'political donations and lobbying often support candidates and legislation that undermine equity, labor rights, and marginalized communities.' The calls for a boycott come at a delicate time for the fast food giant, following a string of difficulties including a fall 2024 E coli outbreak linked to its Quarter Pounders, as well as decreasing sales and a backlash to its January decision to roll back diversity programs, joining numerous companies that took similar steps with the election of Donald Trump. The Independent has contacted McDonald's for comment. Last fall, Democratic senators accused McDonald's of price gouging in a letter to its corporate leadership. 'McDonald's own reports indicate that the company's price increases may be outstripping inflation,' read the October message from Senators Elizabeth Warren, Bob Casey, and Ron Wyden. 'As a result, McDonald's net annual income rose by over 79% — to nearly $8.5 billion — from 2020 to 2023.' McDonald's has strongly denied price gouging allegations and says its individual franchisees set menu prices, with an emphasis on affordability. Last year, fast food workers in California across various brands including McDonald's formed a union associated with the Service Employees International Union, a major development in an industry with low union penetration. The People's Union USA, which began attracting significant attention earlier this year, has quickly racked up endorsements from prominent celebrities for its efforts, including author Stephen King, actor John Leguizamo, and actress Bette Middler. A GoFundMe for the movement has raised more than $125,000 in the last four months. Its leader, Schwarz, a father of three and meditation teacher who lives in Chicago, was sentenced to 90 days in jail for alleged exploitation related to a cafe he once reportedly owned. In 2007, the activist was sentenced by a Connecticut judge to 90 days in jail for disseminating voyeuristic material, The New York Times reports. Schwarz, 39 at the time of the incident in question, was accused of photographing an unconscious 18-year-old's exposed breast and texting the image to her cell phone, per the paper. The teen worked at the now-closed Sugar Cube Cafe, which Schwarz owned, according to state records obtained by the Times. 'This whole thing was a big scam,' Schwarz told the paper. 'It's going to be expunged. I passed my polygraph test three times. Three times. I did not take a photograph. I did not do anything inappropriate to anybody.' The activist responded to the charge using an Alford plea, in which defendants don't technically admit guilt, but acknowledge prosecutors likely have the evidence to convict them, according to the report.
The Independent
23-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
‘This is about more than burgers and fries': Boycott of McDonald's to begin this week
A grassroots advocacy group is calling for a week-long boycott of McDonald's, accusing the fast food chain of price gouging, unfair labor practices, and avoiding taxes. 'This is about more than burgers and fries, this is about power,' The People's Union USA said in a statement on Instagram. 'When we unite and hit corporations in their wallets, they listen.' The group, which has previously called for boycotts of Amazon, Nestlé, Walmart, General Mills, and Target, accused the Golden Arches of a litany of unsavory tactics. Earlier this month, People's Union leader John Schwarz said McDonald's had a record of 'silencing' workers and blocking union attempts, as well as seeking to 'exploit global supply chains and environmental loopholes' and engaging in performative diversity initiatives while the corporation's 'political donations and lobbying often support candidates and legislation that undermine equity, labor rights, and marginalized communities.' The calls for a boycott come at a delicate time for the fast food giant, following a string of difficulties including a fall 2024 E coli outbreak linked to its Quarter Pounders, as well as decreasing sales and a backlash to its January decision to roll back diversity programs, joining numerous companies that took similar steps with the election of Donald Trump. The Independent has contacted McDonald's for comment. Last fall, Democratic senators accused McDonald's of price gouging in a letter to its corporate leadership. 'McDonald's own reports indicate that the company's price increases may be outstripping inflation,' read the October message from Senators Elizabeth Warren, Bob Casey, and Ron Wyden. 'As a result, McDonald's net annual income rose by over 79% — to nearly $8.5 billion — from 2020 to 2023.' McDonald's has strongly denied price gouging allegations and says its individual franchisees set menu prices, with an emphasis on affordability. Last year, fast food workers in California across various brands including McDonald's formed a union associated with the Service Employees International Union, a major development in an industry with low union penetration. The People's Union USA, which began attracting significant attention earlier this year, has quickly racked up endorsements from prominent celebrities for its efforts, including author Stephen King, actor John Leguizamo, and actress Bette Middler. A GoFundMe for the movement has raised more than $125,000 in the last four months. Its leader, Schwarz, a father of three and meditation teacher who lives in Chicago, was sentenced to 90 days in jail for alleged exploitation related to a cafe he once reportedly owned. In 2007, the activist was sentenced by a Connecticut judge to 90 days in jail for disseminating voyeuristic material, The New York Times reports. Schwarz, 39 at the time of the incident in question, was accused of photographing an unconscious 18-year-old's exposed breast and texting the image to her cell phone, per the paper. The teen worked at the now-closed Sugar Cube Cafe, which Schwarz owned, according to state records obtained by the Times. 'This whole thing was a big scam,' Schwarz told the paper. 'It's going to be expunged. I passed my polygraph test three times. Three times. I did not take a photograph. I did not do anything inappropriate to anybody.' The activist responded to the charge using an Alford plea, in which defendants don't technically admit guilt, but acknowledge prosecutors likely have the evidence to convict them, according to the report.
CBS News
17-06-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Colorado Safeway strikes expand to Castle Rock and Littleton with more locations expected
New Safeway locations joined UFCW Local 7's strike efforts on Monday, bringing the total to six locations across the state with more expected in the coming days. Among the hundreds of union workers already on strike is Castle Rock store clerk Tanner Vonstein. Vonstein says he voted to support the strike after five years with the company. "I know it's really important that if we're together, then we can win this fight," Vonstein said. Castle Rock Safeway clerk Tanner Vonstein describes working conditions at his store and the reason he and other workers are striking on Monday, June 16, 2025. CBS While shoppers may remember the recent strikes across Colorado King Soopers locations, UFCW Local 7 says this is the first Safeway strike in 29 years. The union says the strike comes to address what it says are unfair labor practices from Safeway. "I was doing the job of four people by myself. I mean, I'm a front-end head clerk, and I was doing produce for about eight months," Vonstein said. "It's very stressful." While dozens of shoppers continued to cross the picket line in Castle Rock on Monday, some turned away after hearing stories like Vonstein's. "I can barely afford rent on what we have now, and with these minimum wage increases, it doesn't make it any easier for me," he said. And from Estes Park to Castle Rock, UFCW Local 7 President Kim Cordova spent the day driving across the state and bringing workers to the picket lines with more expected to join this week. "As well as workers walking off the job, the entire state of Colorado, all of the union stores, and the union workers inside, they are so upset with their employer they're ready to strike this entire state," Cordova said. Managers Michael (no last name provided) and Denise (no last name provided) hold signs during a protest against Safeway in Littleton, Colorado on Monday, June 16, 2025. AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via Getty Images But some shoppers are asking how long this strike could last. "They haven't resolved the unfair labor practice charges that we have against them, so we're still far apart, and the strike is going to continue to grow until we reach a contract with them," Cordova said. In a statement, however, Safeway disputed claims of unfair labor practices and shared the following statement, in part: "Safeway in Colorado remains committed to productive discussions with UFCW Local 7, and we are disappointed the union has chosen to strike some of our stores. We respect the rights of workers to engage in collective bargaining and are negotiating in good faith to achieve a balanced agreement that rewards our associates, benefits our customers, and is sustainable for our company in the competitive grocery industry." But as negotiations continue, Cordova says so too will the strikes. "You may see, it could happen today, it could happen tonight. It can happen tomorrow, but the strike is going to expand until we reach a contract," Cordova said. Cordova explained that as negotiations continue with King Soopers as well, it could be possible that both chains eventually strike at the same time, but emphasized that the focus right now is on Safeway. In its statement, Safeway also said that it expects stores to remain open for customers throughout the strike.
South China Morning Post
13-06-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Filipino helpers face exploitation, sexual harassment in South Korea's pilot scheme
A pilot programme designed to bring Filipino carers to South Korea is drawing harsh criticism after reports surfaced of sexual harassment, excessive workloads and inadequate support for participants. The programme, backed by former president Yoon Suk-yeol and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, is under fire for what critics say was a rushed and poorly monitored roll-out that left many workers vulnerable. A forum titled 'Precarious Stay, Excluded Labour Rights: Voices of Filipino Caregivers' took place at the Seoul Metropolitan Council on Thursday, where civic group representatives and researchers presented findings from a field investigation. According to the coalition supporting migrant care workers' rights, 21 Filipino workers were interviewed anonymously in April and May, offering a rare glimpse into the challenges they face. Lee Mi-ae, a research professor at Jeju National University, said many workers were burdened with duties far beyond their original contracts. 'One worker has to care not only for the employer's child, but also for the entire family, including in-laws and even the family dog,' she said. 'Some are pressured to give English conversation lessons to parents during the baby's nap time, leaving virtually no time for rest.'
