(audio) “...[W]hat happens to the workers who are impacted by trade and whether those workers are in a union or not in a union—that impacts their job and their wages.”
That’s AFL-CIO Trade Policy Specialist Celeste Drake, on the latest edition of the AFL-CIO’s “State of the Unions” podcast… “When factories close, they’re not getting the property tax revenue they were before. They are maybe not getting the sales tax because the people that were going out to lunch on their work breaks are no longer going out to lunch….In a sense, we are all in this together, and it doesn’t matter whether we started out with the union or we started out without a union. In the end, we’re all subject to the same forces. And those forces—rather than lifting us up as they should do— they’re pushing us down.” Find State of the Unions wherever you listen to podcasts. On today’s labor calendar, two events with nurses: at 9:30, nurses will rally at the DC City Council to oppose budget cuts at the United Medical Center, and then tonight at 6, the DC LaborFest screens “The American Nurse” free at the Takoma Park Busboys and Poets. Complete details at dclabor.org; click on Calendar. In today’s labor history, on this date in 1953, Milwaukee brewery workers began a 10-week strike, demanding contracts comparable to East and West Coast workers. The strike was won when Blatz Brewery accepted their demands, but Blatz was kicked out of the Brewers Association. Today’s labor quote is by American politician, educator, and author Shirley Chisholm, who said: “You don't make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas.” Union City Radio is supported by our friends at Union Plus. If you’re thinking about a spring road trip, don’t leave town without your Union Plus car rental savings! Union members save up to 25% on rental rates. Visit unionplus.org/carrental.
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Hundreds of labor leaders and staff from throughout the AFL-CIO’s northeast region gathered in Providence, Rhode Island last week to celebrate victories and strategize for the future. UFCW members who recently struck Stop & Shop received a thunderous standing ovation at the conference opening, and teachers and other strikers were also recognized and applauded. “The American labor movement is more vibrant and relevant than ever,” said AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler. “Workers are taking risks, workers are being bold. Organize, organize, organize!”
The Metro Washington labor movement was well-represented, with area leaders and staff who attended workshops focused on political action, communications and organizing. Key plenary issues included saving the postal service, AFT’s Fund Our Future campaign, NAFTA and labor law reform. Metro Council Treasurer Eric Bunn called the conference “extremely informative, especially in terms of the steps we need to take to prepare for the next election and mobilize our members.” For the latest labor calendar listings, go to dclabor.org and click on Calendar. In today’s labor history, on this date in 1998, thousands of yellow cab drivers in New York City went on a one day strike in protest of proposed new regulations. Today’s labor quote is by United Auto Workers President Douglas Fraser, named to the Chrysler board of directors on this date in 1980, becoming the first union representative ever to sit on the board of a major U.S. corporation. Doug Fraser, who said: “In every single democracy in the world you will find a vibrant, vital labor movement. The reason is that in a democratic society, where you have a system of checks and balances, a labor movement is absolutely indispensable. There will always be unions as long as there are bosses.” Union City Radio is supported by our friends at Union Plus. If you’re thinking about a spring road trip, don’t leave town without your Union Plus car rental savings! Union members save up to 25% on rental rates. Visit unionplus.org/carrental. In a groundbreaking development, Bernie Sanders campaign workers — now proud UFCW Local 400 union members — have ratified the first collective bargaining agreement by a presidential campaign. In taking this historic step forward, the union reported, the workers are also revolutionizing the nature of presidential campaign work, which has traditionally been known for its 24/7 demands and difficult working conditions. “What this union pulled off will change the way presidential campaigns are run in this country,” said Bianca Márquez, a member of the campaign’s digital team. We have full details on our website at dclabor.org
Amalgamated Transit Union president Lawrence J. Hanley passed away on May 7 at the age of 62. Calling him “a brother and comrade in the fight for working families,” AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka said that Hanley’s “life was defined by activism,” while Metro Washington Council president -- and former ATU 689 president -- Jackie Jeter said that "Larry was a good friend and union brother who never ever hesitated to answer the call for solidarity." Read more – and see a photo of Hanley with Jeter and ATU 689 members at a 2014 rally on our website at dclabor.org On today’s labor calendar, the DC LaborFest continues tonight with screenings of “Office Space” and “Extract” tonight at the American Film Institute; complete details at dclabor.org; click on Calendar. In today’s labor history, on this date in 1869, thanks to an army of thousands of Chinese and Irish immigrants, who laid 2,000 miles of track, the nation’s first transcontinental railway line was finished by the joining of the Union Pacific and Central Pacific lines at Promontory Point, Utah. Today’s labor quote is by Larry Hanley of the Amalgamated Transit Union, who said: “The silver lining, if there is one, is that American workers have turned a corner. They are saying through this revolt that the status quo has lost its status. That no longer will we nod our heads to the establishment while we all suffer.” Union City Radio is supported by our friends at Union Plus. Send love this Mother’s Day with the Union Plus Flower and Discounts Program! Union members save 25% on flowers, gift baskets + more. Visit unionplus.org/flowers. “We need your voice now!” says the DC Health Justice Coalition, which is hosting a rally this morning at 10 in front of the Wilson Building. The Coalition reports that “The DC City Council is currently considering a budget that slashes funds for the United Medical Center and forces the hospital to close by 2022.”
“The same bill,” the Coalition says, “strips even basic worker protections from the proposed hospital at St. Elizabeth’s, eliminates the need for the new hospital to partner with Howard University Medical School, and still keeps the public in the dark about the services that will be provided.” The Council will vote on the budget next week and at Thursday’s action Coalition members “will speak directly to Councilmembers about the need for comprehensive health services, transparency, and good jobs in Southeast.” On today’s labor calendar, in addition to the rally for health justice this morning, this week’s edition of Your Rights at Work is right here on WPFW starting at 1pm; also at 1, there’s an rally by the Flight Attendants out at Dulles Airport and then tonight at 7:15 the DC LaborFest screens IDIOCRACY at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center; complete details, as always, at dclabor.org; click on Calendar. In today’s labor history, on this date in 1937, Hollywood studio mogul Louis B. Mayer recognized the Screen Actors Guild. Guild leaders reportedly were bluffing when they told Mayer that 99 percent of all actors would walk out the next morning unless he dealt with the union. Some 5,000 actors attended a victory gathering the following day at Hollywood Legion Stadium; a day later, Guild membership increased 400 percent. Today’s labor quote is by United Auto Workers President Walter Reuther. He and his wife May died on this date in 1971 in a plane crash as they traveled to oversee construction of the union’s education and training facility at Black Lake, Michigan. Walter Reuther, who said: “First we must organize them, that’s the easy part, then we must unionize them, that’s the hard part.” Union City Radio is supported by our friends at Union Plus. Send love this Mother’s Day with the Union Plus Flower and Discounts Program! Union members save 25% on flowers, gift baskets + more. Visit unionplus.org/flowers. |
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