Virginia was one of the first of 28 states to adopt “Right to Work” laws, way back in 1947. This year, it may be the first to repeal such laws.
“Right to Work” does not mean a right to a job; “Right to Work” laws were specifically designed to hurt workers by weakening unions and making it more difficult for workers to organize. Ending “Right to Work” means that unions are strengthened and, in turn, so are the working people who benefit from collective bargaining. Activists are mobilizing to repeal “Right to Work” in Virginia by passing HB 153; you can help by signing the petition on our website at dclabor.org. “Right to Work” really means the right to work for less, so by repealing “Right to Work” all workers win. For the latest labor events listings, go to dclabor.org and click on Calendar. In today’s labor history, on this date in 1874, in what became known as the Tompkins Square Riot mounted police charged a crowd of unemployed workers, beating men, women and children with billy clubs. Today’s labor quote is by Dr. Martin Luther King, who said: “In our glorious fight for civil rights, we must guard against being fooled by false slogans, such as ‘right to work.’ It is a law to rob us of our civil rights and job rights. Its purpose is to destroy labor unions and the freedom of collective bargaining by which unions have improved wages and working conditions of everyone… Wherever these laws have been passed, wages are lower, job opportunities are fewer and there are no civil rights. We do not intend to let them do this to us. We demand this fraud be stopped.” Union City Radio is supported by our friends at Union Plus. Hey, ring in 2020 with a resolution you can actually keep, and that’s to get life insurance. The Union Plus Life Insurance program can help secure your family’s financial well-being. The unique assistance benefits of Union Plus Life Insurance policies provide extra peace of mind for union families. Visit unionplus.org/lifeinsurance.
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At this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, the AFL-CIO partnered with SAG-AFTRA to host the second annual Labor Innovation & Technology Summit.
As the voice of working Americans, unions play a critical role in ensuring that rapidly evolving technology, which will bring so many great things to humanity, doesn’t roll over humans in the process. Amid the foldable laptops, smart toilets and other shiny gadgets, AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler said that there was "Very little talk about the impact on working people" at the Consumer Electronics Show. "As technology is showcased," said Shuler, "we must listen to the voices of workers and include them in every aspect of the innovation process. We want a future of work that works for humans not just robots." For the latest labor events listings, go to dclabor.org and click on Calendar. In today’s labor history, on this date in 1860, in what is described as the worst industrial disaster in state history, the Pemberton Mill in Lawrence, Massachusetts, collapsed, trapping 900 workers, mostly Irish women. More than 100 died, and scores more were injured in the collapse and ensuing fire. Too much machinery had been crammed into the building. Today’s labor quote is by George Meany, the former AFL-CIO President who died on this date in 1980 at the age of 85. George Meany, who said: “Labor never quits. We never give up the fight – no matter how tough the odds, no matter how long it takes.” Union City Radio is supported by our friends at Union Plus. Hey, if someone you know needs scholarship money, let them know they should apply for the 2020 Union Plus Scholarship! Current and retired members of participating unions, their spouses and their dependent children are eligible to apply. For details, visit unionplus.org/scholarship. YOUR RIGHTS AT WORK: Healthcare for all; what’s ahead in 2020; nurses “most trusted” says Gallup1/9/2020 Hosted by Chris Garlock and Ed Smith
DC’s call-in show about worker rights: those you have, those you don’t, how to get them and how to use them. On today's show: Mark Gruenberg (in-studio): latest labor news Mark Dudzic, National Coordinator of the Labor Campaign for Single Payer: What the New Year Will Bring for the Labor Campaign for Single Payer Deborah Burger, NNU Co-President: Nurses Top Gallup Poll as Most Trusted Profession for 18th Consecutive Year; Medicare For All Campaign Plus: Case Closed, with David Schloss, Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis Produced by Chris Garlock and Peter Pocock; engineered by Michael Nasella Nurses are the most trusted workers in America. Again.
In 2019, for the 18th consecutive year, they topped the Gallup Poll's annual ranking of how Americans view 22 major professions. National Nurses United Executive Director Bonnie Castillo, an RN herself, said that “We are honored by this poll and what it reflects - that our patients, their families and the public know that they can trust and count on nurses to stand up for them.” The World Health Organization has declared 2020 the ‘Year of the Nurse and Midwife,’” and NNU president Jean Ross said that “The public can count on nurses to stand up, show up, and speak up until the broken U.S. healthcare system is profoundly transformed. We will not settle for band aid-fixes,” Ross said, “We want the real deal, comprehensive medical care for all, regardless of ability to pay.” On today’s labor calendar, tune in at 1pm here on WPFW this afternoon for this week’s edition of Your Rights At Work, when Ed Smith and I will talk with Labor Campaign for Single Payer National Coordinator Mark Dudzic. For the latest labor events listings, go to dclabor.org and click on Calendar. In today’s labor history, on this date in 2003, the administration of George W. Bush declared federal airport security screeners would not be allowed to unionize so as not to, quote-unquote, "complicate" the war on terrorism. The decision was challenged and eventually overturned after Bush left office. Today’s labor quote is by Barack Obama, who said” “If I were looking for a good job that lets me build some security for my family, I’d join a union.” Union City Radio is supported by our friends at Union Plus. If someone you know needs scholarship money, let them know they should apply for the 2020 Union Plus Scholarship! Current and retired members of participating unions, their spouses and their dependent children are eligible to apply. For details, visit unionplus.org/scholarship. |
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