Averting what would have been the second strike in less than three months, ATU Local 1764 has reached a tentative agreement (TA) with private contractor Transdev that covers the operators and maintenance workers at the Fairfax Connector. Their tentative agreement includes improvements to healthcare along with substantial wage increases. The proposed deal “recognizes the hard work and commitment of our more than 600 bus drivers and maintenance workers at Fairfax Connector,” said ATU president John Costa. “I am proud of these workers and the solidarity, resolve and unity that they have shown during their December strike and the last few months, which was critical to securing the fair and just contract that they deserve.”
The Coalition of Labor Union Women’s Leadership Skills Conference and National Executive Board meeting is set for March 10-14th in Georgia. The conference theme is “Sisters Not Afraid of Power 2020 - 100 Years and Counting” and will have a focus on the essential role women will play in the upcoming 2020 elections. “CLUW is prepared to mobilize, educate and hit the streets to make a difference for working families,” say organizers. “We need you to be there to contribute to the program.” The conference will include short plenary sessions and full-day and half-day workshops covering topics from Political Action, to Courageous Conversations, to Know Your Constitution, and Getting Out the Vote. Click here for details and to register. “We believe things will get better when workers of the world unite.” Reichert, co-director of American Factory, winner of this year’s Best Documentary Feature Academy Award, in her acceptance speech at the Academy Awards. This week’s Labor History Today podcast: African American Lumber Workers in the Jim Crow South William P. Jones on “The Tribe of Black Ulysses: African American Lumber Workers in the Jim Crow South,” plus a letter from Eleanor Roosevelt to AFL-CIO urging the formation of a “Committee on Inquiry Into the Administration of Justice in the Freedom Struggle.” Interviews by Chris Garlock and Alan Wierdak. (Show originally released 2/24/2019) 2020 Bonus: Patrick Dixon on Chaplin’s “City Lights” as a labor film. Last week’s show: Striking Images: Labor on Screen and in the Streets February 24 U.S. Supreme Court upholds Oregon state restrictions on the working hours of women, justified as necessary to protect their health. A laundry owner was fined $10 for making a female employee work more than 10 hours in a single day - 1908 Women and children textile strikers beaten by Lawrence, Mass. police during a 63 day walkout protesting low wages and work speedups – 1912 February 25 Amalgamated Association of Street & Electric Railway Employees of America change name to Amalgamated Transit Union – 1965 - David Prosten |