(audio) I grew up with my neighbor’s kids and my classmates being hung and being killed on the streets and looking for freedom and to get out from there myself and for my friends--risk everything and we decided to leave Ethiopia and look for a better life and we walked through the desert to the Sudan for 93 days and I ended up in a refugee camp in the Sudan. And I was lucky enough to be sponsored by an organization called International Rescue Committee, and the grace of the US government and the people of the United States I was granted political refugee and I landed in Los Angeles, California at the end of March of 1984. That has been the beginning of my current journey.
That’s AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Tefere Gebre, talking about his inspiring journey from Ethiopian refugee to successful labor leader in California and now nationally. (audio) I truly believe what makes this country of ours great is not the kind of bombs we have and the kind of fighter jets we have. It is the DNA of the people actually who call the United States home. And that is having a welcome mat for refugees and immigrants has attracted the best and the brightest who are brave enough who wanted to be free, living wherever their native land is, wanting to be Americans and coming to America and using their ingenuity and they’re using their creativity and creating the society we have. AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Tefere Gebre, on State of the Unions, the podcast from the AFL-CIO. For the latest local labor events listings, go to dclabor.org and click on Calendar. In today’s labor history… On this date in 1992, unions at Yale University struck in solidarity with teaching assistants. Today’s labor quote is by Robert F. Kennedy, who said: “Our attitude towards immigration reflects our faith in the American ideal. We have always believed it possible for men and women who start at the bottom to rise as far as the talent and energy allow. Neither race nor place of birth should affect their chances.” Union City Radio is supported by our friends at Union Plus. Did you know that February 20 is Love Your Pet Day! Show your dog or cat some love by protecting them with Union Plus Pet Health Insurance. Union members get 10% off eligible plans and access to the Pet Helpline where a veterinary expert can answer your pet behavior questions 24/7. Get a quote at unionplus.org/pets. And no, I’m not sure if your hamster is covered, but I do know that you can support Union City Radio and WPFW by contributing during our Winter Pledge Drive; call 202-588-9739 or pledge online at wpfwfm.org. Thank you so much!
0 Comments
If the checkout clerk at your local Giant or Safeway has been looking a bit grumpy lately, that may be because local supermarket workers have been signing strike signs at every store in the DMV area, reports UFCW Local 400. “Next week, we'll deliver them to both companies,” the union says. “While we are continuing negotiations with both companies, we're getting ready to strike if that's what it takes to get a fair contract.” Key issues at stake include wages, schedules, healthcare and pensions. “We'll do what it takes to win the fair contract we deserve,” says the union.
For the latest local labor events listings, go to dclabor.org and click on Calendar. In today’s labor history…Striking workers at Detroit’s newspapers, out since the previous July, offered to return to work on this date in 1996. The offer was accepted five days later but the newspapers vowed to keep strikebreakers on the job. A court ruling the following year ordered as many as 1,100 former strikers reinstated. Today’s labor quote is by Susan B. Anthony, the suffragist, abolitionist, and labor activist, born on this date in 1820 in Adams, Massachusetts. Susan B. Anthony, who said: "Failure is impossible" Union City Radio is supported by our friends at Union Plus. Hey, Valentine's Day is today, but it’s not too late to use the Union Plus Flower and Discounts Program to get 25% on flowers and gift baskets for your loved one. Check it out at unionplus.org/flowers. You can support for Union City Radio and WPFW by contributing during our Winter Pledge Drive; call 202-588-9739 or pledge online at wpfwfm.org. Thank you! Members of Operating Engineers Local 99 have unanimously authorized a strike against DynCorp International. The Local 99 union hall was packed at near-capacity Tuesday night with members frustrated with ongoing negotiations with DynCorp. The company is demanding a contract that would eliminate the workers’ pension, which has been in the union’s contracts for almost 50 years. The vote was unanimous and allows Local 99’s Executive Board to call a strike at any time. The majority of the affected members work at local top-secret facilities.
On today’s labor calendar, tune in here on WPFW at 1 o’clock this afternoon when our guest on Your Rights At Work will be Margaret Poydock from the Economic Policy Institute, discussing the EPI’s report on the historic surge in strike activity. For details and the latest local labor events listings, go to dclabor.org and click on Calendar. In today’s labor history… On this date in 2008, some 12,000 Hollywood writers returned to work after a largely-successful three-month strike against television and motion picture studios. They won compensation for their TV and movie work that gets streamed on the Internet. Today’s labor quote is by A. Philip Randolph, the American labor unionist, civil rights activist, and socialist politician, who said: A solid contract, is, in a very real sense, another Emancipation Proclamation. Union City Radio is supported by our friends at Union Plus. Hey, Valentine's Day is coming up tomorrow and the Union Plus Flower and Discounts Program can help say “I love you” while saving 25% on gorgeous flowers, gift baskets and more. Check it out at unionplus.org/flowers. Hosted by Chris Garlock, with 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: MARGARET POYDOCK, Policy Associate at the Economic Policy Institute; EPI's study on increase in strikes 2018-19 PETER DOOLEY, Safety and Health Senior Project Coordinator for National COSH; Coronavirus at work Music: Fight the Virus - Alvin Oon Case Closed, with BOB SAMET, Senior Partner at Ashcraft and Gerel Produced by Chris Garlock; engineered by Michael Nasella |
Categories
All
Union City Radio is proud to be supported by UnionPlus, which has been working hard for union families since 1986.
Union City Radio is part of The Labor Radio/Podcast Network
Listen now...UC Radio airs weekdays at 7:15a on WPFW 89.3 FM; subscribe to the podcast here. |