A new union is setting their sights on workplaces known for underpaid employees who work long hours with few benefits and uncertain career prospects while being urged to put teamwork before their own well-being. I’m talking about political campaign offices.
In advance of the 2018 midterms, the newly formed Campaign Workers Guild is seeking to organize election staffers, particularly those who work for pro-labor Democrats. We have a link to the story in Mother Jones at dclabor.org

On today's labor calendar,
There’s a Roundtable discussion on Restoring a Level Playing Field for Workers starting at 1pm today at the Brookings Institution on F Street NW;
Then at 6:30 tonight, there’s a discussion of John Tutino's book 'The Mexican Heartland' at the Mexican Cultural Institute on 16th St NW.
Complete details, as always, on our website, dclabor.org, click on Calendar.

​Here’s today's labor history:
On this date in 1938, members of the Chinese Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union in San Francisco’s Chinatown began what would become a successful four-month strike for better wages and conditions at the National Dollar Stores factory and three retail outlets.

Today’s labor quote is by actress Hattie McDaniel, the Screen Actors Guild member who on February 29, 1940 became the first African-American to win an Academy Award, honored for her portrayal of “Mammy” in “Gone with the Wind”
Hattie McDaniel, who said:
"I loved Mammy. I think I understood her because my own grandmother worked on a plantation not unlike Tara."

Union City Radio sponsor UnionPlus wants you to know that they’re committed to improving the quality of life of working families through their unique products and services. Find out more at unionplus.org!

Union solidarity was strong yesterday morning outside the Supreme Court as the justices heard arguments in Janus vs. AFSCME, the biggest labor case of our time.
Hundreds of union members and their supporters turned out beneath gray skies to show their support for the nearly 20 million public-sector workers whose unions are the target in the case. Here’s some sound from the rally:

On today's labor calendar,
Former Congressman David Bonior will discuss his new book “Whip: Leading the Progressive Battle During the Rise of the Right” today at noon at the AFL-CIO
and then tonight catch a screening of “Soundtrack For A Revolution” at 6pm at the Shirlington Busboys and Poets.
Complete details, as always, on our website, dclabor.org, click on Calendar.

​Here’s today's labor history:
On this date in 1937, 450 workers and customers occupied a Detroit Woolworth’s for eight days in support of the Waiters and Waitresses Union.

Today’s labor quote is by Eugene V. Debs, the legendary labor leader who began his career in the movement on this date in 1875, when he joined the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen. Gene Debs, who said:
“The truth has always been dangerous to the rule of the rogue, the exploiter, the robber. So the truth must be suppressed.”

Union City Radio sponsor UnionPlus wants you to know that they’re committed to improving the quality of life of working families through their unique products and services. Find out more at unionplus.org!

This morning, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in Janus vs. AFSCME. The outcome of this case will directly impact nearly 20 million public-sector workers across the country, disproportionately affecting black women, who make up a significant percentage of public-sector workers. Black women have traditionally faced a double pay gap―a gender pay gap and a racial wage gap. Research by the Economic Policy Institute has shown that black women are paid only 65 cents of the dollar that their white male counterparts are paid. However, unions help reduce these pay gaps, which may be why corporate interests are working so hard to undermine working people’s right to collectively negotiate a fair return on our work.

On today's labor calendar,
A rally on Janus v. AFSCME -- "the most important labor case of the 21st century" – starts at 10am this morning at the Supreme Court, though folks will start gathering as early as 8am.
Then at 6:30 tonight, author Jean R. Freedman will discuss her recent biography, “Peggy Seeger: A Life of Music, Love, and Politics” at the Takoma Busboys and Poets.
Complete details, as always, on our website, dclabor.org, click on Calendar.

​Here’s today's labor history:
On this date in 2004, a 20-week strike by 70,000 Southern California supermarket workers ended, with both sides claiming victory.

Today’s labor quote is by folk singer Pete Seeger, Peggy Seeger’s brother. Pete Seeger, who said:
“Songs are funny things. They can slip across borders. Proliferate in prisons. Penetrate hard shells. I always believed that the right song at the right moment could change history.”

Union City Radio sponsor UnionPlus wants you to know that they’re committed to improving the quality of life of working families through their unique products and services. Find out more at unionplus.org!

Fifty years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. joined striking sanitation workers in Memphis, Tennessee, as they fought for the freedom to join together in a strong union and be treated with dignity and respect at work. Fifty years later, corporate lobbyists are bringing a case against working people, Janus v. AFSCME Council 31, to the Supreme Court. "These are the same extremist voices that actively work to limit voting rights, roll back economic protections, and gut civil and labor rights laws," says AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka. "They’re ratcheting up their fight to break us up because they know we are strongest together." Thousands will rally today on Freedom Plaza at the Working People's Day of Action, starting at 10 am. Join us!
Details at dclabor.org

Here’s today's labor history:
On this date in 1940, Woody Guthrie wrote “This Land Is Your Land” following a frigid trip -- partially by hitchhiking, partially by rail -- from California to Manhattan. The Great Depression was still raging. Guthrie had heard Kate Smith’s recording of “God Bless America” and resolved to himself: “We can’t just bless America, we’ve got to change it.”

Today’s labor quote is by W.E.B. DuBois, the educator and civil rights activist, born on this date in 1868. W.E.B. DuBois, who said:
"What a world this will be when human possibilities are freed, when we discover each other, when the stranger is no longer the potential criminal and the certain inferior!"
 
Union City Radio sponsor UnionPlus wants you to know that they’re committed to improving the quality of life of working families through their unique products and services. Find out more at unionplus.org!