By forcing workers to make hard decisions on matters of life or death, financial ruin or stability, Maryland Governor Hogan’s veto of Paid Sick Leave legislation is "channeling the spirit of President Trump right here in Maryland,” said SEIU 32BJ's Jaime Contreras last week.
“People will go broke, get sicker and maybe even die on Governor Hogan’s watch,” added Paul Brown, a security officer in downtown Baltimore and a member of SEIU 32BJ. “I am lucky to be alive after having a heart attack that could’ve been prevented if I had paid sick leave," said Brown. "Both my brother and sisters died of cancer and I couldn’t afford time off to care for them."
Brown called on the Maryland Legislature to override the Governor’s veto as soon as they come back in January.

On today's labor calendar, this year's DC LaborFest wraps up tonight with a screening of Hidden Figures at 7 pm at the AFI Silver. The film -- nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Picture -- tells the story of the brilliant African-American women working at NASA, who battled racism and sexism. Hidden Figures provides a window into the growth of the federal workforce during and after World War II after President Franklin Roosevelt issued Executive Order 8802, which banned "discrimination in the employment of workers in defense industries or government because of race, creed, color, or national origin."
Complete details, as always, at dclabor.org, click on Calendar.

​Here’s today's labor history:
On this date in 1889, more than 2,200 people died in the Johnstown Flood when a dam holding back a lake at a private resort burst upstream of Johnstown, Pennsylvania.  The resort was owned by wealthy industrialists including Andrew Carnegie and Henry Clay Frick.  Neither they nor any other members of the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club were found guilty of fault, despite the fact the group had created the lake out of an abandoned reservoir.
In 1997, Rose Will Monroe, popularly known as Rosie the Riveter, died in Clarksville, Indiana.  During World War Two she helped bring women into the labor force.

Today’s labor quote is by Lyn Childs, a wartime shipyard worker featured in the documentary film "Rosie the Riveter." Lyn Childs, who said
"We'd never had any opportunity to do that kind of work. Do you think that if you did domestic work all of your life where you cleaned somebody's toilets and did all the cooking for some lazy characters who were sitting on top, and you finally got a chance where you can get a dignified job, you wouldn't fly through the door?"

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.

Busboys & Poets 14th Street; 2021 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 

SPONSORED BY THE MUSIC PERFORMANCE TRUST FUND
and the Washington DC Federation of Musicians, AFM 161-710

​The DC LaborFest wraps up with a full night of jazz starting with a live simulcast concert from 5-6p on WPFW 89.3FM with local jazz musicians from the Washington Musicians Union, including Bob Boguslaw on piano, Antonio Parker on saxophone, PercySmith on drums and Paul Scimonelli on bass.
​
photo by Chris Garlock

One of the labor movement’s most celebrated leaders, A. Philip Randolph, an organizer of the 1963 March on Washington, knew the connection between the labor movement and the civil rights movement was key to a truly inclusive democracy. Randolph stood for access at the ballot box as well as to economic security—ideally through a good job with decent benefits and a union.
Today, we find ourselves back in a place where our civil, economic, political and social rights are under constant attack. The violence we see against black youth—the heart-wrenching killing of Trayvon Martin, the homicide of Jordan Davis--the passage of “right to work” laws in states like Michigan, Missouri and Iowa that have deeply racist and divisive roots, and the constant attack on immigrant communities by the current administration affirm we still have work to do.
This summer, one of the oldest and largest civil and human rights organizations, the NAACP, will come to the city of Baltimore for its annual convention and organized labor will be there in force as well. Our struggles are one; our hopes are one; our dreams are one. The past is not dead, it's not even past.
To find out more about the 2017 NAACP Labor Luncheon, go to dclabor.org and click on Calendar.

Here’s today's labor history:
On this date in 1929, the Ford Motor Company signed a "Technical Assistance" contract to produce cars in the Soviet Union, and Ford workers were sent to the Soviet Union to train the labor force in the use of its parts. Many American workers who made the trip, including Walter Reuther, a tool and die maker who later was to become the UAW's president, returned home with a different view of the duties and privileges of the industrial laborer.
In 1937, in what became known as the Memorial Day Massacre, police opened fire on striking steelworkers at Republic Steel in South Chicago, killing ten and wounding more than 160 - 1937
And in 2002, the Ground Zero cleanup at the site of the World Trade Center was completed three months ahead of schedule due to the heroic efforts of more than 3,000 building tradesmen and women who had worked 12 hours a day, seven days a week for the previous eight months.

Today’s labor quote is by A. Philip Randolph, who said
“At the banquet table of nature, there are no reserved seats. You get what you can take, and you keep what you can hold. If you can't take anything, you won't get anything, and if you can't hold anything, you won't keep anything. And you can't take anything without organization.”

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.

Today is Memorial Day, when we remember and honor those who have died while serving in the nation’s armed forces.
It’s also welcome day off work for many Americans. You can support the American labor movement by making sure your barbecue is stocked with union-made in America products.
From beer to coolers, flags, grills, hot dogs, ice cream and more, we’ve got lists of union-made products on our website at dclabor.org.
Solidarity works; enjoy the holiday!

Here’s today's labor history:
On this date in 1941, animators working for Walt Disney began what was to become a successful five-week strike for recognition of their union, the Screen Cartoonists' Guild. The animated feature "Dumbo" was being created at the time and, according to Wikipedia, a number of strikers are caricatured in the feature as clowns who go to "hit the big boss for a raise."
In 1946, a contract between the United Mine Workers and the U.S. government established one of the nation's first union medical and pension plans.
And in 1996, after a 17-year-long boycott, the United Farm Workers reached agreement with Bruce Church on a contract for 450 lettuce harvesters.
The pact raised wages, provided company-paid health benefits to workers and their families, created a seniority system to deal with seasonal layoffs and recalls, and established a pesticide monitoring system.

Today’s labor quote is by Cesar Chavez
“Once social change begins, it cannot be reversed. You cannot un-educate the person who has learned to read. You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore.”

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.