Nothing brings workers and management together like…an ugly sweater. Really. The Bakery and Confectionery union’s trust funds office in Kensington, MD held an “Ugly Sweater Contest” on December 13 that attracted 48 of the 52 folks who work there, uniting members of OPEIU Local 2 and union management. Sixteen contestants donned garish sweaters in the battle for the title. “I tell you, it was just outstanding,” says Danny Lopez, Local 2’s Chief Shop Steward in the unit, who coordinated the event with Nancy Luke and Katie Charpentier. “The spirit of the Xmas Holidays was in full effect.” Judges scored each contestant and tie-breakers were awarded based on applause. Winners received gift cards and, more importantly, bragging rights. At least until next year’s contest. photo by Angie Runyon, BCT Pension Supervisor "Most of the miners wouldn't go home because they wanted to be there to help if they were needed." Greg LeRoy worked at a near the Wilberg Coal Mine in Utah and came over to Wilberg to fill air tanks for the rescue teams during the Wilberg Coal Mine Disaster (see Labor History, below) Still from the "Remember Wilberg" documentary Click here to check out this week's Labor History Today podcast. On this week’s show, labor historian Jean-Christian Vinel, author of “The Employee: A Political History,” and Lane Windham on the Willmar 8. An explosion in the Darr Mine in Westmoreland Co., Pa., kills 239 coal miners. Seventy-one of the dead share a common grave in Olive Branch Cemetery. December 1907 was the worst month in U.S. coal mining history, with more than 3,000 dead – 1907 A 47-day strike at Greyhound Bus Lines ends with members of the Amalgamated Transit Union accepting a new contract containing deep cuts in wages and benefits. Striker Ray Phillips died during the strike, run over on a picket line by a scab Greyhound trainee - 1983 Twenty-six men and one woman are killed in the Wilberg Coal Mine Disaster near Orangeville, Utah. The disaster has been termed the worst coal mine fire in the state’s history. Federal mine safety officials issued 34 safety citations after the disaster but had inspected the mine only days before and declared it safe - 1984 Labor history courtesy Union Communication Services “Not a win, not a loss.” That was one union leader’s assessment of last night’s DC City Council vote on the East End Hospital bill. Added another, “We’re healthcare unions but we’re also healthcare advocates and this bill doesn’t solidify quality union jobs or quality healthcare for the residents of Wards 7 and 8.” The Council passed a substitution amendment which bypasses the certificate of need process, and includes provisions requiring Howard University to reach an affiliation agreement with other institutions to allow HU doctors to continue to train med students. If there’s no agreement by June 30, there’s no deal with Universal Health Services (UHS), which will be building the new hospital. Also approved were amendments requiring UHS to hire union members for at least 50% of the nonsupervisory workforce at the new hospital in southeast DC and that UHS, SEIU and DCNA negotiate neutrality agreements for organizing campaigns at the new hospital.
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