The airport workers picket at Dulles Airport is back on. Unite Here Local 23 had called off last week’s picket against Sky Chefs’ after the company agreed to raise Dulles airline catering worker’s wages and pay back pay, but the latest round of negotiations left senior and higher-skilled workers with nothing.

And in another update, the petition supporting Takoma Park city employees is having an effect, according to AFSCME 3399 president David Burbank, who says “It reached the Mayor and she is putting pressure on the City Manager.” The workers plan to present the petition at the City Council meeting tonight.

On today’s labor calendar,
The Dulles Airport Picket with UNITE HERE Local 23 will be from 2 to 4pm;
The Takoma Park workers will meet supporters outside the City Building on Maple Avenue around 6:30pm tonight and go in as a group around 7pm;
complete details on both events are on our website, dclabor.org, click on Calendar.  

Here’s today's labor history:
On this date in 1978, after scoring successes with representation elections conducted under the protective oversight of the California Agricultural Labor Relations Board, the United Farm Workers of America officially ended its historic table grape, lettuce and wine boycotts.

Today’s labor quote is by Emma Tenayuca, who led a strike by 12,000 pecan shellers in San Antonio, Texas on this date in 1938.
Emma Tenayuca, who said:
"I was arrested a number of times. I never thought in terms of fear. I thought in terms of justice."
 
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State professionals in the Maryland Public Employees Council last week ratified new three-year contracts. The contracts include a 2% increase in January 2019 and expanded language on workplace bullying, indoor air quality and evaluations. Additionally, AFT Local 5197 negotiated a recruitment and retention bonus for their nurse positions.

Two thousand workplace troublemakers – including some from the DC area -- will converge on Chicago for the Labor Notes Conference, April 6 through 8. The annual conference is a great chance to swap stories, devise strategies, and hone your organizing skills. Register now and save $45 with the Early Bird rate. Details on our website at dclabor.org

On today’s labor calendar, “The Young Karl Marx” screens at the DC JCC tonight at 7:30; ticket info at wjff.org

Here’s today's labor history:
On this date in 1882, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was born in Hyde Park, New York. He was elected president of the United States four times starting in 1932. His New Deal programs helped America survive the Great Depression and his legislative achievements included the creation of the National Labor Relations Act, which allows workers to organize unions, bargain collectively, and strike.  

Today’s labor quote is by Cornelius Vanderbilt, the wealthy American businessman and notorious robber baron. Cornelius Vanderbilt, who said:
"Law! What do I care about the law? Ain't I got the power?"
 
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The recent revelations of changes made to student grades and attendance records at the District of Columbia’s Ballou High School—changes intended to present a rosier picture than reality—represent not an isolated case but a systemwide problem, according to a Washington Teachers Union-EmpowerEd survey released last week and a statement from the Council of School Officers. The WTU and EmpowerEd said the results demonstrate the need for systemic solutions to address systemic problems.

Here’s today's labor history:
On this date in 2009, newly-elected President Barack Obama signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, making it easier for women and minorities to win pay discrimination suits.

Today’s labor quote is by Dolly Parton, from "9 to 5," her anthem to the daily grind, which hit number on this date in 1981:
​Workin' 9 to 5, what a way to make a livin'
Barely gettin' by, it's all takin' and no givin'
They just use your mind and they never give you credit
It's enough to drive you crazy if you let it
9 to 5, for service and devotion
You would think that I would deserve a fat promotion
Want to move ahead but the boss won't seem to let me
I swear sometimes that man is out to get me!

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The Metro Washington Council on Thursday announced its endorsement of Marc Elrich for Montgomery County Executive, citing “his long history of fighting for better education, jobs, and opportunities for Montgomery County residents.”
And on Wednesday, union members and allies rallied in Richmond to push for worker-related issues including an increase in the state’s minimum wage. “I have coworkers who can’t afford to get by no matter how many hours they work,” said Dominic, a Kroger worker.

On this weekend’s labor calendar, the Virginia AFL-CIO’s Legislative Conference and Lobby Day starts this Sunday at the Richmond Marriott; complete details at dclabor.org, click on Calendar.

Here’s today's labor history:
On this date in 1695, in what could be considered the first workers’ compensation agreement in America, pirate Henry Morgan pledged his underlings 600 pieces of eight or six slaves to compensate for a lost arm or leg. Also part of the pirate’s code, reports Roger Newell: shares of the booty were equal regardless of race or sex, and shipboard decisions were made collectively.

Today’s labor quote is by Samuel Gompers, first president of the American Federation of Labor, born on this date in 1850.
Sam Gompers, who said:
"Do I believe in arbitration? I do. But not in arbitration between the lion and the lamb, in which the lamb is in the morning found inside the lion."
 
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Hosts: Chris Garlock, with Ed Smith

JOIN US AT 202-588-0893

Also, if you miss our live show – or want to hear a past show – Your Rights At Work is now available as a podcast! Just search for Union City Radio on iTunes, Stitcher, TuneIn or wherever you get your podcasts; subscribe and you’ll get our shows right on your phone!

Update: All three railroaders declared NOT guilty on all charges in Lac-Mégantic case.  “Not that many victories these days!" says Fritz  Edler "Thanks for your help.”  
 
Guests:
Liz Davis, WTU 6: Washington Teachers’ Union, EmpowerEd release survey results of DCPS teachers on Student Grading, Attendance Practices. 

Jonathan Williams, UFCW 400: UFCW 400 condemns prosecution of 2017 inauguration protesters, supports free speech rights.Other unions and affiliates supporting J20 protesters include DC Jobs With Justice, The Newsguild – CWA, Writers Guild of America East (WGAE), IWW and UE.

Labor Songs: 
"Wabash Cannonball"; Johnny Cash  
"Power To The People"; John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band 
(I'm Just A) Bad Boy; Billy Hancock @ DC's City Blues 9-18-98  

"The Wabash Cannonball" is an American folk song about a fictional train, thought to have originated in the late nineteenth century. Its first documented appearance was on sheet music published in 1882, titled "The Great Rock Island Route" and credited to J. A. Roff. All subsequent versions contain a variation of the chorus:
Now listen to the jingle, and the rumble, and the roar,
As she dashes thro' the woodland, and speeds along the shore,
See the mighty rushing engine, hear her merry bell ring out,
As they speed along in safety, on the "Great Rock-Island Route."

CREDITS: engineered by Mike “The Man” Nasella and Chris "BD" Bangert-Drowns
Produced by Peter Pocock

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Pledging to stand “in solidarity with all protesters who face excessive and undue criminal charges,” UFCW Local 400’s executive board has condemned the “arbitrary” arrest of protesters during last year’s Presidential Inauguration. Several Local 400 members had participated in the protests alongside dozens of other local unions, and though they had escaped being swept up by police, Local 400 president Mark Federici said no protesters should have been charged in the first place, adding that the arrests were a “clear violation of every citizen’s right to free speech.” Prosecutors last week announced plans to dismiss all charges against 129 defendants, but 59 people are still being charged with a number of felonies and face up to 70 years in prison.

On today’s labor calendar, catch this week’s edition of Your Rights At Work here on WPFW from 1-2pm and then at 4:30, poet Jim Daniels will do a reading, “Song of the Industrial Heartland” at Georgetown University; complete details, as always, at dclabor.org, click on Calendar.

Here’s today's labor history:
On this date in 1915, the Supreme Court upheld quote unquote “Yellow Dog” employment contracts, which forbid membership in labor unions. Yellow Dog contracts remained legal until 1932.

Today’s labor quote is by Sojourner Truth, the African-American abolitionist and women's rights activist born into slavery, who addressed the first Black Women’s Rights convention on this date in 1851. Sojourner Truth, who said:
“We do as much, we eat as much, we want as much.”

​Union City Radio is supported by UnionPlus, which provides unique products and discounts for working families. This week, hit the road for the holidays with special Union Plus savings from Budget. Check them out at unionplus.org!

A planned picket against Sky Chefs has been called off after the company agreed to raise airport worker’s wages and pay back wages.
The workers at Dulles Airport – represented by Unite Here Local 23 -- had filed complaints with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority earlier this month after Sky Chefs failed to implement the new living wages that took effect January 1.
Local 23 president Bert Bayou says that if this week’s bargaining does not prove fruitful, the union will go ahead with the picket next week.
 
If that happens, we’ll post it – along with all the latest labor calendar events – at dclabor.org, click on Calendar.

Here’s today's labor history:
On this date in 1935, Krueger’s Cream Ale, the first canned beer, went on sale in Richmond, Virginia. Pabst was the second brewer that year to sell beer in cans, which came with opening instructions and the helpful suggestion to "cool before serving."

Today’s labor quote is by John Lennon:
"A working class hero is something to be."

Union City Radio is supported by UnionPlus, which provides unique products and discounts for working families. This week, hit the road for the holidays with special Union Plus savings from Budget. Check them out at unionplus.org!

Employees of the City of Takoma Park, represented by AFSCME Local 3399, have reached an impasse in contract negotiations. Despite Takoma Park’s progressive reputation, the workers say that they and their union have been treated with “pervasive disrespect” by the city. The workers plan to continue their outreach and urge concerned Takoma Park residents to sign their petition to let the city’s leadership know “this is no way to treat workers.” We have a link to the petition at dclabor.org

On today’s labor calendar, catch a special free screening of "At The River I Stand" tonight at 6 at the Shirlington Busboys And Poets. This moving documentary recounts the two months leading to Martin Luther King Jr.'s death in 1968, when he went to Memphis to support striking sanitation workers.
For details and the latest labor events, go to dclabor.org, and click on Calendar.

Here’s today's labor history:
On this date in 1913, some 10,000 clothing workers struck in Rochester, New York, my hometown. They were striking for the 8-hour day, a 10-percent wage increase, union recognition, and extra pay for overtime and holidays. Six people were wounded over the course of the strike and one worker, 18-year-old Ida Breiman, was shot to death by a sweatshop contractor. The strike was called off in April after manufacturers agreed not to discriminate against workers for joining a union.

Today’s labor quote is by A. Philip Randolph, who said:
"Freedom is never granted; it is won. Justice is never given; it is exacted."

Union City Radio is supported by UnionPlus, which provides unique products and discounts for working families. This week, hit the road for the holidays with special Union Plus savings from Budget. Check them out at unionplus.org!

A coalition of unions and elected officials gathered in Annapolis on Martin Luther King Day last week to launch the Fight for $15 campaign in Maryland.
“It’s gonna be a fight,” said Ricarra Jones, political organizer for 1199 SEIU, but she’s hopeful, saying this legislative “session is off to a great start for workers.” Following the lead of Montgomery County and the District of Columbia, a statewide living wage would raise pay for over half a million workers and strengthen the 35% of Maryland households who struggle to afford basic necessities.
All Democratic candidates for governor have expressed support for the $15 minimum wage.

On today’s labor calendar, the Metro Washington Council meets tonight at 6:30pm at the AFL-CIO; for details and the latest labor events, go to dclabor.org, and click on Calendar.

Here’s today's labor history:
On this date in 1826, Indian field hands at San Juan Capistrano mission refused to work, engaging in what was probably the first farm worker strike in California.

Today’s labor quote is by Terence V. Powderly, leader of the Knights of Labor, born on this date in 1849.
Terence V. Powderly, who said:
“Give men shorter hours in which to labor, and you give them more time to study and learn why bread is so scarce while wheat is so plenty.”   

Union City Radio is supported by UnionPlus, which provides unique products and discounts for working families. This week, hit the road for the holidays with special Union Plus savings from Budget. Check them out at unionplus.org!

Shout-outs to two labor heroes today:
Prominent union organizer and leader William Lucy was honored with the prestigious NAACP “Chairman’s Award” at the NAACP Image Awards on Monday. Lucy, Secretary-Treasurer of the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, or AFSCME, for nearly 40 years, was recognized for his role in the labor movement and his accomplishments as a labor organizer and justice advocate. The NAACP said that “His work with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the 1968 Memphis sanitation strike and the instrumental role he played in the anti-apartheid movement – which helped free Nelson Mandela and led to the first democratic elections in South Africa – exemplify Mr. Lucy’s impact on the civil and human rights movement in the U.S. and around the world.”
Then on Wednesday “warrior for justice” Paul Booth died. As recently as Monday, despite being hospitalized, the longtime AFSCME leader had been urging participation in the commemoration of the 50 years since the Memphis sanitation strike and Dr. King’s assassination. “Dr. King famously said ‘the moral arc of the universe bends toward justice,’” Paul wrote, “But he knew, and I underline, that it’s up to us to do the bending. We shall do it together." AFSCME president Lee Saunders urged Paul’s many friends and colleagues to “honor his memory by continuing to fight like hell for social and economic justice. That is exactly what Paul would ask us to do.”
For details on this weekend’s Women’s March activities, go to dclabor.org, and click on Calendar.

Here’s today's labor history:
On this date 1920, 3,000 members of the Filipino Federation of Labor struck the plantations of Oahu, Hawaii. Their ranks swelled to 8,300 as they were joined by members of the Japanese Federation of Labor.

Today’s labor quote is by Pablo Manlapit, a migrant worker, lawyer, and President of the Filipino Federation of Labor.
Pablo Manlapit, who said:
"It is one of the cherished American ideals that each generation shall stand in advance of the preceding one: better physically, mentally, spiritually. And America demands for her workers this opportunity for development."

Union City Radio is supported by UnionPlus, which provides unique products and discounts for working families. This week, hit the road for the holidays with special Union Plus savings from Budget. Check them out at unionplus.org!