The old saying is that “If you’re not at the table, then you’re on the menu,” which is one reason local labor leaders fought hard to get on DC Mayor Muriel Bower’s ReOpen DC Advisory Group. Labor’s representation includes AFSCME Council 20 Executive Director (and Acting President of the Metro Washington Council) Andrew Washington, who's coordinating a special Labor Focus Group; Dyana Forester from UFCW 400, Jaime Contreras at SEIU 32BJ, John Boardman of UNITE HERE Local 25, Elizabeth Davis of the Washington Teachers Union, and Lisa Brown at SEIU 1199. The Labor Focus Group was created in response to what Andrew Washington said was “labor’s concerns about the lack of opportunities on these committees and ensuring that [re-opening plans] represent the true challenges and fears of re-opening too soon.”
In today’s labor history, on this date in 1938, the U.S. Supreme Court issued the Mackay (MACK_EE) decision, which permits the permanent replacement of striking workers. The decision had little impact until Ronald Regan’s replacement of striking air traffic controllers – members of PATCO-- in 1981, a move that signaled antiunion private sector employers that it was OK to do likewise. Today’s labor quote is by labor leader and peace activist A. Philip Randolph, who died on this date in 1979. He was president of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the first black on the AFL-CIO executive board, and a principal organizer of the 1963 March on Washington. A. Philip Randolph, who said: “We must develop huge demonstrations, because the world is used to big dramatic affairs. They think in terms of hundreds of thousands and millions and billions... Billions of dollars are appropriated at the twinkling of an eye. Nothing little counts.” Union City Radio is supported by our friends at Union Plus. If you’ve been thinking about completing your bachelor’s degree, now is the time - union members and their family members who enroll in the Union Plus Bachelor’s Degree Program before June 22 can complete their degree for FREE. Visit bachelorsdegree.unionplus.org. Please be sure to support WPFW during our Spring Pledge Drive; call 202-588-9739 or 1-800-222-9739 or pledge online at wpfwfm.org, click on Donate Now. Thanks very much!
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Showing what UFCW Local 1994 president Gino Renne called “a stunning and callous disregard” for Montgomery County employees’ hard work and sacrifices, the Montgomery County Council on Wednesday voted to zero out all provisions of Local 1994’s revised contract.
"This is a slap in the face," said one Local 1994 member. “They call you heroes for continuing to work and provide services for the County in midst of an unprecedented pandemic,” said Renne, yet “They reward you by stripping you of any expected pay or benefits increases next year!” The Council also voted against both the police and the firefighters' revised agreements, setting the stage for a continued contentious relationship between the Council and the County workforce. Renne thanked Councilmembers Tom Hucker and Will Jawando for their support while slamming Councilmembers Craig Rice, Hans Riemer and Andrew Friedson for what he said was their “complete contempt and hostility.” For today’s labor events, go to dclabor.org and click on Calendar. In today’s labor history, on this date in 1917, the Library Employees’ Union was founded in New York City, the first union of public library workers in the United States. A major focus of the union was the inferior status of women library workers and their low salaries. Today’s labor quote is by IWW songwriter T Bone Slim, who died on this date in 1942. This is from his song “Popular Wobbly,” sung by Joe Glazer: Well, that cop, he went wild over me And he held his gun where everyone could see He was breathing rather hard When he saw my union card They go wild, simply wild over me Union City Radio is supported by our friends at Union Plus. If you’ve been thinking about completing your bachelor’s degree, now is the time - union members and their family members who enroll in the Union Plus Bachelor’s Degree Program before June 22 can complete their degree for FREE. Visit bachelorsdegree.unionplus.org. Please be sure to support WPFW during our Spring Pledge Drive; call 202-588-9739 or 1-800-222-9739 or pledge online at wpfwfm.org, click on Donate Now. Thanks very much! DC’s call-in show about worker rights: those you have, those you don’t, how to get them and how to use them.
Hosted by Chris Garlock and Ed Smith This week's guests: FRANK STRICKER; Author, “American Unemployment Past, Present, and Future; Lies your economists told you—and the truths that can change the nation” SETH COOK; Principal tubist for the Washington National Opera and Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, member of the DC Musicians Union and a co-owner of the Takoma Beverage Company Spring pledge drive: give us a call at 202-588-9739 or 1-800-222-9739 or online at wpfwfm.org, click on Donate Now Produced by Chris Garlock; engineering by Michael Nasella (audio) We can use federal funding to keep people employed and guarantee everyone's paycheck for the duration of the crisis.
That’s AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, with a practical solution to coronavirus-caused joblessness… (audio) This concept is neither new nor radical. It's been done before. The government pays for the employer to pay their employees. No money goes to CEOs or to Wall Street, just to workers. Payroll support has been endorsed across the political spectrum and it's gaining traction among business and labor. Supporters are trying to get the guaranteed income bill, which would subsidize pay of up to $100,000 per worker, plus health insurance coverage, into the next economic stimulus bill. On today’s labor calendar, tune in a 1 o’clock this afternoon for this week’s edition of Your Rights At Work here on WPFW, when our guests will be Frank Stricker, on his new book "American Unemployment: Past, Present, and Future" and Seth Cook, the National Symphony Orchestra musician who's also a local small business owner; go to dclabor.org and click on Calendar for complete details. In today’s labor history, on this date in 1953, Milwaukee brewery workers began a strike that they won after 10 weeks when Blatz Brewery accepted their demands. Today’s labor quote is by AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka, who recently said: “Every worker would rather receive a paycheck than an unemployment check. Our jobs are a source of dignity, a piece of our pride. We're ready to get back to work. We're ready to rebuild America.” Union City Radio is supported by our friends at Union Plus. If you’ve been thinking about completing your bachelor’s degree, now is the time - union members and their family members who enroll in the Union Plus Bachelor’s Degree Program before June 22 can complete their degree for FREE. Visit bachelorsdegree.unionplus.org. And be sure to support WPFW during our Spring Pledge Drive; call 202-588-9739 or 1-800-222-9739 or pledge online at wpfwfm.org, click on Donate Now. Thank you! |
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