“The boss needs you, you don't need him.” Founded in Chicago on this date in 1905, the IWW envisioned "a world without bosses.” This week’s Labor History Today podcast: Why America’s most radical union shut down ports on Juneteenth. Plus, Arlo Guthrie sings “The Ballad of Harry Bridges” and Elise Bryant reads “Ready To Kill,” Carl Sandburg’s poem about who should be memorialized in our statues. Last week’s show: SCOTUS bans LGBTQ workplace discrimination; Queer history of the UAW. Alabama outlaws the leasing of convicts to mine coal, a practice that had been in place since 1848. In 1898, 73 percent of the state's total revenue came from this source. 25 percent of all black leased convicts died - 1928 The Walsh-Healey Act took effect today. It requires companies that supply goods to the government to pay wages according to a schedule set by the Secretary of Labor - 1936 The storied Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers, a union whose roots traced back to the militant Western Federation of Miners, and which helped found the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), merges into the United Steelworkers of America - 1967 Up to 40,000 New York construction workers demonstrated in midtown Manhattan, protesting the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s awarding of a $33 million contract to a nonunion company. Eighteen police and three demonstrators were injured. "There were some scattered incidents and some minor violence," Police Commissioner Howard Safir told the New York Post. "Generally, it was a pretty well-behaved crowd." - 1998 - David Prosten Union City Radio: 7:15am daily WPFW-FM 89.3 FM; click here to hear today's report DC Excluded Workers Rally: Mon, June 29, 9:00am – 10:30am Freedom Plaza, Washington, DC DC Labor Town Hall with Robert White Mon, June 29, 3pm – 4pm Zoom; register here 2020 AFL-CIO George Meany–Lane Kirkland Human Rights Award Ceremony: Tue, June 30, 10:30am – 11:30am Register here Honors the Civil Human Rights Front of Hong Kong for its inspiring efforts to organize a powerful movement for democracy and human rights. DC LaborFest screening: BLOOD FRUIT: Tue, June 30, 7pm – 9pm Free via Zoom; RSVP here photo: Leafleting team at yesterday's Takoma Park farmers market urges support for AFSCME Maryland state workers; photo by Chris Garlock Metro Washington Council and Community Services Agency staff are teleworking; reach them at the contact numbers and email addresses here. Latest DC-area labor news, delivered daily: tell a friend and help build our Union City! This week's Labor Radio-Podcast Weekly: Post, Coast To Coast; Thoroughbred Teamsters; Stronger Together; Unify: A Young Workers Podcast; The Break Time Breakdown; The UnionWorking Podcast “These are some of the most vulnerable workers there are,” says Megan Macaraeg of Many Languages One Voice. “Workers in the informal economy, when their rights are violated, it pushes down the standards for everyone.” Such workers are the subject of today’s DC Excluded Workers Rally, set for this morning starting at 9am at Freedom Plaza. “It's just vitally important that everyone who cares about the rights of workers and cares about lifting the floor for everyone turn out,” Macaraeg added. |