Question B could bankrupt Montgomery County, warns a coalition of groups that includes a number of local unions (see graphic). A “right-wing stealth measure” proposed by fiscal conservative Robin Ficker, “it doubles down on a broken property tax system, turning a bad policy into a catastrophic one by eliminating any ability to provide basic services or to respond in a crisis,” says Metro Washington Council Political Director David Stephen. The coalition, which includes longtime labor allies like CASA, Jews United for Justice and Progressive Maryland, is urging a vote "Against" Question B. “It would directly threaten our AAA Bond rating which is needed to fund schools, libraries, transportation projects, and rec centers,” Stephen adds. “It doesn’t promote a thriving economy and discourages the very economic growth needed to invest in critical infrastructure and address school overcrowding in a fiscally responsible way. That’s the wrong choice at the worst possible time, threatening our ability to adequately address this COVID-19 health emergency and the resulting economic crisis.”
The Carpenters union is partnering with an Alexandria non-profit, Building Momentum, and the Alexandria City Schools to build desks for low income students so the students have a good workspace at home, reports NoVA Labor’s Virginia Diamond. “Union contractors provided the materials for the desks,” Diamond tells Union City. “The union is planning readiness programs for local residents to enter union apprenticeships.” "It's a recession when your neighbor loses his job; it's a depression when you lose yours."
This week’s Labor History Today podcast: O Canada, organize! How a little newspaper started labour journalism in Canada. The 1931 Fraser Mills Strike. And “Through Rain, Sleet, Snow and Terrorism.” Contributors: Radio Labour; On the Line: Stories of BC Workers; Labor History in 2 Last week’s show: One Day More Wall street crashes – "Black Tuesday" – throwing the world's economy into a years-long crisis including an unemployment rate in the U.S. that by 1933 hit nearly 25 percent - 1929 - David Prosten |