“Sylvia, Stella and Kate are three naturals, characters whose hearts and minds leap off the screen with a kind of grace and nobility.” Canby, the New York Times film critic, was writing about the three rank and file union women who star in “Union Maids,” screening free tonight at both the Takoma and Shirlington Busboys and Poets (see Calendar, above) 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. General Motors announces it is closing 21 North American plants over the following four years and slashing tens of thousands of jobs - 1991 The next 24 hours are critical in the battle for a new East End hospital, workers and Howard University. A final vote by the DC City Council on the East End Hospital is scheduled for tomorrow, with two crucial amendments at stake, one ensuring that workers at the new hospital will be protected by a union contract, the other that Howard medical students and residents can continue to be trained there. Universal Health Services, the Mayor and Councilmember Gray have threatened to kill the East End Hospital if these two measures remain part of the legislation, but “We must continue the fight and make sure the DC Council does not abandon workers or Howard University,” says Metro Washington Council Political Director David Dzidzienyo. DCNA, SEIU 1199, other unions, community leaders and Howard University urge turnout at the DC City Council vote – 9:30a at the Wilson Building – as well as calls and letters to Council members to support all labor-proposed amendments. Click here for sample letter and contact info.
"Support for CSA's Holiday Basket this year has been outstanding" says CSA Executive Director Sonte DuCote. Last week saw three deliveries, with two from IBEW of holiday food and treats and $415 in gift cards and another delivery from the Bricklayers (click here for our report on the earlier delivery), this time delivered personally by Executive Vice President Gerard Scarano. The deadline to participate in this year’s Basket has passed, but contributions to CSA’s Emergency Assistance Fund are always welcome; email [email protected] or call 202-974-8226.
photos: (left): BAC's Bobbie Haut and Gerard Scarano; (right) the IBEW's Tony Westerholm; photos by Sonte DuCote |