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!
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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! 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 (NEW!) or wherever you get your podcasts; subscribe and you’ll get our shows right on your phone! Guests: CWA 2336 member Mark Davis, who just got his job back – thanks to his union -- as an AT&T retail sales rep after being illegally fired last year. Fritz Edler, Harding/Labrie Defense Committee: Update on the trial of the Lac-Mégantic scapegoated rail workers Carroll “Popeye” Thomas, ATU 689, on the recent legislation introduced in Maryland to make transit assault a felony. This week’s labor songs celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr's life and work: U2 - Pride (In The Name Of Love) Bobby Womack: American Dream Otis Spann: Blues for Martin Luther King Kris Kristofferson: They Killed Him Stevie Wonder: Happy Birthday from Playlist: Songs for Martin Luther King, Jr. in The New Yorker (except "Pride") CREDITS: engineered by Mike “The Man” Nasella, produced by Chris "BD" Bangert-Drowns Union City Radio is supported by UnionPlus, which provides unique products and discounts for working families. Check them out at unionplus.org! Marches, rallies, voter registration drives, and more are happening all across the country this weekend to mark the one year anniversary of last year’s electrifying Women’s March on Washington.
At least three events are planned for the metro Washington area, including a Women’s March on Saturday starting at 11am, a discussion on “How Roe v Wade and both the Pro-Choice and Pro-Life Movements Affect African-Americans,” also on Saturday, and then a discussion of Louise Erdrich's “The Future Home Of The Living God” on Sunday in Arlington. All are being promoted by the Coalition of Labor Union Women. Complete details on our website, dclabor.org, click on Calendar. Here’s today's labor history: On this date in 1909, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a governor and officers of a state National Guard may imprison anyone—in the case at hand, striking miners in Colorado—without probable cause “in a time of insurrection” and deny the person the right of appeal. Today’s labor quote is by singer Johnny Paycheck, whose song "Take This Job and Shove It" was the most popular song in the U.S. on this date in 1978. "And I've seen a lot of good folks die That had a lot of bills to pay I'd give the shirt right offa' my back If I had the guts to say Take this job and shove it I ain't working here no more" |
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