“There’s nothing cool about firing hard-working people who’ve devoted themselves to government service, or about hurting communities that depend on the services they provide.”
That was AFSCME president Lee Saunders’ sharp response to Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney’s plan to reduce the federal workforce, announced last week. And J. David Cox Sr., president of the American Federation of Government Employees, slammed the directive’s “idea that even more of the government’s work should be outsourced to costly and unaccountable contractors.” The directive “doesn’t trim fat,” added Saunders, “it cuts right into bone.” On today's labor calendar: The Metro Washington Council meets tonight at 6:30 at the AFL-CIO for the latest local labor news and updates. And mark your calendar for our DC LaborFest Preview tomorrow night. We'll show trailers for the upcoming DC Labor FilmFest, plus we'll have LaborFest Save the Date cards, a raffle for free LaborFest scarves and hats and free LaborFest shirts for volunteers. The show starts at 6p at the Takoma Busboys and Poets, where, as always, there's great food and drink available for purchase. Full details are on our website at dclabor.org, click on Calendar. Here’s today's labor history: On this date in 1905, the Supreme Court held that a maximum-hours law for New York bakery workers was unconstitutional under the due process clause of the 14th amendment. In 2013, an explosion at a West Texas fertilizer plant killed 15 people and injured nearly 300 when 30 tons of highly explosive ammonium nitrate—stored in sheds without sprinkler systems—caught fire. Of those killed, ten were emergency responders. Today’s labor quote is by Pope Francis Pope Francis, who said, "Work is fundamental to the dignity of the person." Union City Radio is supported by UnionPlus, which is committed to improving the quality of life for all working families; find out more at unionplus.org.
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Airline food workers and their allies marched Wednesday afternoon from National Airport to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, in Washington, DC.
Food workers at 15 airports across the country held rallies for pay equity this week, marking the beginning of a national campaign calling on airlines to ensure fair and equal wage standards for airline catering workers. On today's labor calendar: Organizers for the upcoming May Day mobilizations are holding a briefing today at 1p to share what’s being planned and how to get involved. Full details are on our website at dclabor.org, click on Calendar. Here’s today's labor history: On this date in 1939, The Grapes of Wrath was published. John Steinbeck’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel tells the gripping story of tenant farmers driven from their Oklahoma home by drought, economic hardship, changes in the agricultural industry, and bank foreclosures forcing tenant farmers out of work. Civil rights leader A. Philip Randolph, founder of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, was born on April 15, 1889. Eight members of the Musicians union, playing their instruments until nearly the end, died in the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912. And on April 16, 2000, tens of thousands of global justice activists blockaded meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund here in Washington. Today’s labor quote is by A. Philip Randolph Asa Philip Randolph, who said “Salvation for a race, nation or class must come from within. Freedom is never granted; it is won. Justice is never given; it is exacted.” Union City Radio is supported by UnionPlus, which is committed to improving the quality of life for all working families; find out more at unionplus.org. Hosts: Chris Garlock and Ed Smith; JOIN US AT 202-588-0893 On today’s show: Hannah Kane of Many Languages One Voice on organizing towards the general strike on May 1 plus MLOV’s recent victory for Maria Rodriguez, former worker at the Café Asian Bistro and got nearly $28k for 27 workers from a contractor whose subcontractor hadn't paid them their wages. And Jonathan Rosenblum talks about his new book, Beyond $15: Immigrant Workers, Faith Activists, and the Revival of the Labor Movement. Rosenblum, the former campaign director at the Sea-Tac Airport, details the behind-the-scene fight for $15/hour in 2013. The book, he writes is an “examination of power in our society today—how it got so imbalanced, the devastation this imbalance has wrecked, and what working people can do and must do to reclaim power and voice in our society.” Labor Song: Redemption Song - Playing For Change/ Song Around The World 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 or wherever you get your podcasts; subscribe and you’ll get our shows right on your phone! CREDITS: Produced by Peter Pocock and Sid Dawson, engineered by Mike Nasella; Union City Radio is supported by UnionPlus. UnionPlus is committed to improving the quality of life of working families. Find out more at unionplus.org. And we’re supported by you, our listeners: call 202-588-9739 or 1-800-222-9739 or pledge online at wpfwfm.org. photo by Sidney Dawson The annual DC LaborFest is a monthlong celebration of labor in the arts – film, music, art, books and history – that runs throughout the month of May.
This year’s LaborFest line-up has just been released and includes a screening of the classic labor film “Matewan” – with a special appearance by director John Sayles -- plus the fourth annual DC United Labor Night and, new this year, a union beer and whiskey tasting! The LaborFest begins on May 1 and includes 22 labor films, 17 labor history tours, walks and bike rides, and five labor art tours at local museums, including the National Gallery of Art. It also includes eight labor music events, which will be partially simulcast here on WPFW. Many of the events are free but you do need to sign up; get complete details on our website at dclabor.org, click on DC LaborFest On today's labor calendar: At one o’clock here on WPFW, Ed Smith and I will host “Your Rights at Work,” the call-in show where we answer your questions about rights on the job. Our guests are Hannah Kane of Many Languages One Voice, on their recent worker victories, and organizer Jonathan Rosenblum on his new book, Beyond $15. Full details, as always, on our website at dclabor.org, click on Calendar. Here’s today's labor history: On this date in 1930, a 17-year-old Jimmy Hoffa led his co-workers at a Kroger warehouse in Clinton, Indiana, in a successful job action. By refusing to unload a shipment of perishable strawberries, they forced the company to give in to their demands. Among other things: the “strawberry boys” had to report to work at 4:30 a.m., stay on the job for 12 hours, and were paid just 32 cents an hour, but only if growers arrived with berries to unload. Plus, they were required to spend most of their pay buying goods from Kroger. In 1919, labor leader and Socialist Party founder Eugene V. Debs was imprisoned for opposing American entry into World War I. While in jail he ran for president, receiving a million votes. Today’s labor quote is by Gene Debs Eugene Victor Debs, who said “The working class who make the sacrifices, who shed the blood, have never yet had a voice in declaring war. The ruling class has always made the war and made the peace.” Union City Radio is supported by UnionPlus, which is committed to improving the quality of life for all working families; find out more at unionplus.org. |
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