Grocery workers in the Washington, D.C., area last year reversed concessionary bargaining in the industry for the first time in a generation.   In the August issue of Labor Notes, UFCW Local 400's director of mobilization Alan Hanson acknowledges past organizing and contract failures and outlines the strategies Local 400 has developed to build density, use political power and partner with union, community, and faith allies.
“Organizing and mobilizing cannot stop when a contract fight ends,” Hanson says.
You can read the complete report on our website at dclabor.org

Here’s today's labor history:
On this date in 1970, members of the National Football League Players Association began what was to be a two-day strike, their first. The issues included pay, pensions, the right to arbitration and the right to have agents.
And in 1981, a fifty-day baseball strike ended. Owners had provoked the strike over the issue of free agent compensation.

Today’s labor quote is by Marvin Miller, Executive Director of the Major League Baseball Players Association from 1966 to 1982
"Why did the issue of greed only enter the picture when the players finally got a fairer slice of the pie?  Lest we forget, that pie became bigger because of the player’s unionizing efforts."

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.

Editorial staff at progressive news outlet Raw Story have received voluntary recognition of their union as part of the Washington-Baltimore NewsGuild.
Raw Story staffers said “We believe that the process of unionization is the best way that we as workers can work collaboratively with management to advocate for ourselves and for our ideals.” 
And staff at the Center for Community Change, members of IFPTE Local 70, voted unanimously to ratify their first contract on Monday.
Alan Barber, president of IFPTE Local 70, welcomed CCC staff to the ranks of non-profit workers with strong union contracts, saying that “Progressive non-profits truly benefit when staff have a voice in the workplace and can share in the work to build an effective organization.”

Here’s today's labor history:
On this date in 1932, Federal troops burned the shantytown built near the U.S. Capitol by thousands of unemployed World War I veterans, camping there to demand a bonus they had been promised but never received.

Today’s labor quote is by Hugo Black. Alabama Senator and future Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black, who said of the attack on the Bonus Army vets:
"As one citizen, I want to make my public protest against this militaristic way of handling a condition which has been brought about by widespread unemployment and hunger."

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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This week's guests:
(in-studio) BRUCE JETT, Organizing Consultant with the Washington-Baltimore News Guild, on recent organizing wins and the ongoing challenges of organizing workers.

JONATHAN ROSENBLUM, author of “Beyond $15: Immigrant Workers, Faith Activists, and the Revival of the Labor Movement.” Jonathan will discuss his new book next Thursday at the Takoma Busboys and Poets from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm.
Readers interested in labor activism, history, economics, industrial relations, or immigration studies will find this book to be compelling and captivating, as Rosenblum captures the story of this unifying, important, and successful fight for economic equity. This event is co-sponsored by Bread & Roses.

Labor Song: Koko Taylor - Big Boss Man (with thanks to Chris DeProperty for the recommendation)

CREDITS: Produced by Mack Miller, engineered by Mike “The Man” 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.

In a sweeping decision issued last Friday, the National Labor Relations Board ordered Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring to “cease and desist” a broad range of attacks on the nurses’ rights to discuss and seek union representation. 
Administrative Law Judge Michael Rosas ruled that the hospital “engaged in at least eight instances of unlawful threats, coercion, and interrogation in violation” of federal law. 
The hospital was also found to have maintained illegal policies prohibiting nurses from discussing union representation. National Nurses United has been organizing nurses at Holy Cross since last year. 
“We’re thrilled with this ruling,” said Nina Scott, an intensive care unit RN at Holy Cross. “Now we can move forward to organize without fear and freely talk with nurses.” 

On today's labor calendar, our guests on "Your Rights At Work" will be Jonathan Rosenblum, author of “Beyond $15: Immigrant Workers, Faith Activists, and the Revival of the Labor Movement,” and Bruce Jett, Washington-Baltimore News Guild organizer. Listen and call in today starting at 1 o'clock here on WPFW. 

Here’s today's labor history:
On this date in 1869, William Sylvis died, aged just 41. In his brief life, Sylvis helped found both the Iron Molders' Union and the National Labor Union, one of the first American union federations attempting to unite workers of various crafts into a single national organization. 

Today’s labor quote is by William Sylvis, who said:
"Single-handed we can accomplish nothing; but united there is no power of wrong we may not openly defy."

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.