This afternoon, President Obama took a moment to address reporters on the plan from Congress to extend the payroll tax cut.

He said:Today, Congress has finally agreed to extend this middle-class tax cut into next year.

Read more: Extending the Payroll Tax Cut

This afternoon, President Obama went to the briefing room to urge Congress to pass tax cuts for the middle class before they go home for the holidays.  Immediately following the briefing, the White House launched a countdown clock on WhiteHouse.gov and in the press briefing room, to let people know exactly how much time is left before taxes go up for middle class families unless Congress acts.

Read more: The Clock is Ticking

A Virtual Minefield: The NLRB and Social Media

Contrary to what some people might think— especially those who purchase smartphones with dedicated “status update” buttons—the Declaration of Independence did not proclaim that among our unalienable rights is the right to post status updates on Facebook.

However, there are limitations on what employers can do about employees who post derogatory messages about the companies for which they work, or the supervisors to whom they report. A recent fl urry of activity at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) makes clear that online communications enjoy the same protections as any other protected concerted activity, and that the NLRB is ready and willing to take up the cause of those employees disciplined because of what they posted on Facebook or tweeted on Twitter. As a result, any employer rolling out a social media policy or issuing discipline in response to a social media post needs to understand the rules of the virtual road. 

Read more: Labor and Employment Law

The prestigious John S. Lyons Labor Leader of the Year annual award and banquet in September honored Teamsters Joint Council 42 President Randy Cammack. An overflow memorial banquet crowd of unionists, civic personalities, medical researchers and politicians enjoyed the 29th annual rendition of the charity fundraiser at the Hyatt Hotel on Mission Bay in San Diego.

Read more: Cammack 2011 Recipient of Labor Leader of the Year Award