At D.C.’s only public university, Washington City Paper reports that one of the nation’s most successful metropolitan area adjunct organizing drives has hit a roadblock as the part-time professors face unforeseen bargaining challenges coming from the administration. UDC adjuncts and their union officials with SEIU Local 500 say that at first the school dragged its feet while they waited at the bargaining table. But now that the school has finally come to the table, the union says that the administration refuses to negotiate on most contract demands because of D.C.’s public-employer-friendly collective bargaining law. Read more on City Paper's website at washingtoncitypaper.com
On the Labor Calendar, NoVA Labor continues precinct walks and phone banks tomorrow starting at 9a in Annandale; go to dclabor.org and click on calendar for complete details. Here’s today’s labor history: On this date in 1891, two African-American sharecroppers were killed during a cotton-pickers’ strike in Lee County, Arkansas. By the time the strike had been suppressed, 15 African-Americans had died, another six had been imprisoned, and a white plantation manager was killed as well. Today’s labor quote is by Pope Francis, who visited DC this week: “The worship of the ancient golden calf has returned in a new and ruthless guise in the idolatry of money and the dictatorship of an impersonal economy lacking a truly human purpose. The worldwide crisis affecting finance and the economy lays bare their imbalances and, above all, their lack of real concern for human beings; man is reduced to one of his needs alone: consumption.”
0 Comments
Union City Radio’s Chris Garlock and the Employment Justice Center’s Emma Cleveland discuss worker rights with local activists/organizers and take listener calls.
Guests on today’s show include Rabbi Elizabeth Richman, Program Director and Rabbi in Residence, Jews United for Justice, on the Jewish tradition’s approach to worker rights; John Gehring, Catholic Program Director at Faith in Public Life, on Pope Francis’ view on worker rights. Click here for an archive of previous “Your Rights At Work” preview shows. Striking fast food workers inspire a character in local author Eric Lotke‘s new novel “Making Manna” to gather her coworkers and demand a raise. And the main character says “Bless those union dues I pay every month" and credits the union with winning her sick days. David Feige, creator of the TNT series “Raising the Bar,” says the novel “Brilliantly details the searing fragility of life below the poverty line . . . . Both heartbreaking and heartwarming.” Lotke has worked at the Campaign for America’s Future and SEIU. He’ll be at George Mason University's Fall for the Book Festival on October 2.
On today’s Labor Calendar. Don’t miss this week’s "Your Rights At Work" Call-in Radio Show on WPFW 89.3 FM from 1 – 2pm, where we’ll take your calls about rights on the job. Then tonight at 7pm. farm worker legend Dolores Huerta appears at “Living Self-Portrait” at the National Portrait Gallery; admission is free. Go to dclabor.org and click on calendar for complete details. Here’s today’s labor history: On this date in 1918, the Canadian government outlawed the Industrial Workers of the World and other organizations. Penalty for membership was set at five years in prison. The ban on the IWW was lifted after World War I ended. Today’s labor quote is by Pope Francis, who visits DC this week: “Working for a just distribution of the fruits of the earth and human labor is not mere philanthropy. It is a moral obligation. For Christians, the responsibility is even greater: it is a commandment.” The DC Labor FilmFest is co-sponsoring a special labor screening of “The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution” tonight at 7:15p at the E Street Cinema. “The Black Panthers” is the first feature length documentary to explore the Black Panther Party, its significance to the broader American culture, its cultural and political awakening for black people, and the painful lessons wrought when a movement derails. Master documentarian Stanley Nelson goes straight to the source, weaving a treasure trove of rare archival footage with the voices of the people who were there: police, FBI informants, journalists, white supporters and detractors, and Black Panthers who remained loyal to the party and those who left it. There are a limited number of free tickets available; go to dclabor.org for details.
In this week's Labor Quiz, which was the first trade union to admit women into membership? Was it the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union; the Cigar Makers International Union; the International Typographical Union; or the Amalgamated Clothing Workers? Go to unionist.com and click on Labor Quiz and you could be next week's winner! Here’s today’s labor history: On this date in 1886, a coalition of Knights of Labor and trade unionists in Chicago launched the United Labor party, calling for an 8-hour day, government ownership of telegraph and telephone companies, and monetary and land reform. The party elected seven state assembly men and one senator. In 1996, a 42-month strike by Steelworkers at Bayou Steel in Louisiana ended in a new contract and the ousting of scabs. And on this date in 2002, California Governor Gray Davis signed legislation making the state the first to offer workers paid family leave. Today’s labor quote is by Pope Francis, who visits DC this week: “Together with a culture of work, there must be a culture of leisure as gratification. To put it another way: people who work must take the time to relax, to be with their families, to enjoy themselves, read, listen to music, play a sport.” |
Categories
All
Union City Radio is proud to be supported by UnionPlus, which has been working hard for union families since 1986.
Union City Radio is part of The Labor Radio/Podcast Network
Listen now...UC Radio airs weekdays at 7:15a on WPFW 89.3 FM; subscribe to the podcast here. |