IBEW Local 1900 knows the importance of giving back. That's why volunteers recently gathered at the union’s office to get out a mailing to over 1,500 members letting them know how they can help through the United Way, DC One Fund, Combined Federal and Maryland Charity Campaigns. "I believe that the basic foundation of organized labor is to help people in their time of need,” said Local 1900 president Jim Griffin as he helped stuff envelopes with information urging support for the labor-sponsored United Way agencies. Last year, the Community Services Agency helped over 300 union members stay in their homes, keep the lights on and put food on the table. Worksite giving campaigns are now underway throughout the region: to give to CSA you can use the following campaign numbers: 8253 for United Way and DC One Fund: 19579 for the Combined Federal Campaign: and 9320 for Maryland Charity.
On today’s labor calendar, phonebanks to get out the union vote are up at both the AFL-CIO and the Machinists; for complete details go to dclabor.org and click on Calendar. In today’s labor history, on this date in 1934, bank robber Charles Arthur "Pretty Boy" Floyd was killed by FBI agents near East Liverpool, Ohio. He was a hero to the people of Oklahoma who saw him as a "Sagebrush Robin Hood." People throughout the area were losing their farms to the banks, who wanted the land for the expansion of farming and its profits. While robbing the banks, Floyd would destroy or steal the mortgages to the local farms to prevent the banks from taking the land. He used money from the bank robberies to buy food and distribute it to members of the community. Today’s labor quote is by Charles Arthur "Pretty Boy" Floyd, who hated the nickname and was never called "Pretty-Boy" by anyone who knew him well, most of whom called him "Chock." The "Robin Hood of the Cookson Hills," who said: "I have robbed no-one but moneyed men." Union City Radio is supported by our friends at UnionPlus, this week offering an Accident Only Pet Insurance Plan. Help your pet receive the best care without worrying about the financial cost. Find out more at unionplus.org
0 Comments
It was in the winter of 2013. The weather was brutally cold and snow was on the ground.
A young woman working in the salad bar at Giant in Temple Hills, Maryland had fallen on hard times and lost her home. Fortunately, her UFCW Local 400 shop steward was Bernadette Hopkins-Christian. “I walked up to her,” Bernadette said, “and asked, ‘Where are you going to stay tonight? It’s cold, you can’t stay outside.’ I told her she can stay at my home—we have an extra room in the basement with a bathroom. She lived with us for two and a half years. Now, she’s doing well. She has her own apartment with a friend and is back on her feet.” Bernadette, who works as a cashier, wasn’t done with her extraordinary acts of generosity, opening up her home to two more co-workers in recent years. Bernadette takes the same approach in her work as shop steward at Giant. She’s always been active in her union and was a member of the Contract Action Team during bargaining in 2016, organizing and participating in rallies and store actions. “It was exciting and very moving to be involved,” she said. “You don’t think people pay attention, but our customers sure did, because we are their families, too.” Read more – and see a photo of Bernadette -- at dclabor.org, where you can also find out how the Metro Washington Council’s Community Services Agency helps needy families. Our weekend labor calendar includes eleven labor canvasses, a Coalition Labor Union Women’s luncheon with Prince George’s County Executive Elect Angela Alsobrooks, and the monthly NoVA Labor Lox & Bagels Brunch discussion group; complete details at dclabor.org, click on Calendar. In today’s labor history, on this date in 1980, the J.P. Stevens textile company was forced to sign its first union contract after a 17-year struggle in North Carolina and other southern states. Today’s labor quote is by Diana Wilson, a young African American anti-poverty activist who testified at national labor law reform hearings in 1977. Diana Wilson, who said: "People's concerns with union campaigns today are like what black Southerners experienced during the early civil rights days." Tuesday was a big day for a number of local labor laws; here’s a quick run-down:
Registered nurses and caregivers on Tuesday applauded D.C. City council’s unanimous decision to move forward emergency legislation aimed at keeping Providence Hospital open as a fully functioning hospital. Registered nurse and NNU member Godwin Ofosu said that “We are now calling on Mayor Muriel Bowser to continue this fight to keep Providence open and to do the right thing for the people of D.C.” The D.C. Council unexpectedly delayed a final vote Tuesday on regulating Airbnb and other short-term rental companies because of a last-minute dispute over how to pay for the legislation. However, council member Kenyan McDuffie, the bill’s original sponsor, expressed confidence that the bill would ultimately win approval. And the Council also gave final approval to legislation repealing Initiative 77, the ballot measure passed by 55 percent of voters in June. Restaurant Opportunities Center United said it would keep fighting for a standard minimum wage for all workers. Finally, the Montgomery County Council approved legislation Tuesday that would guarantee raises for contract workers who haul trash and recycling whenever there are pay increases for unionized county service employees. We have links to complete reports on all these stories on our website at dclabor.org On today’s labor calendar, tune in for a special 2-hour edition of Your Rights At Work today starting at 1pm; we’ll focus on local issues in the first hour and then get a national perspective on issues facing working people across the country in the second hour starting at 2pm. And of course we’ll take your calls both hours at 202-588-0893. For the complete labor calendar, go to dclabor.org and click on Calendar. In today’s labor history, on this date in 1648, the "Shoemakers of Boston"—the first labor organization in what would later become the United States—was authorized by the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Today’s labor quote is by Samuel Gompers, founder of the American Federation of Labor, who said: “As one voice labor must speak – to reward its friends and punish its enemies.” Hosted by Chris Garlock and Ed Smith
DC’s call-in show about worker rights: those you have, those you don’t, how to get them and how to use them. CALL US at 202-588-0893 with your questions about your rights at work! On today’s show: Hour 1 (local, above): Bloomberg Law Senior Legal Editor Laura Francis on last week's layoffs at BBNA; racial justice, labor and international activist, author and WPFW host Bill Fletcher on his new novel "The Man Who Fell from the Sky." Labor music: “John Brown's Body” - Sonny Stitt On October 16, 1859, abolitionist John Brown led 18 men, including five free Blacks, in an attack on the Harper's Ferry ammunition depot, the beginning of guerrilla warfare against slavery; hear more in our Labor History Today podcast; look for Union City Radio on your favorite podcast app Hour 2 (national edition, above): NNU's Jean Ross on Medicare for All, DC State Board of Education candidate Emily Gasoi on participatory democracy. Labor music: “John Brown’s Body” - Paul Robeson CREDITS: Produced by Chris Garlock; engineered by Mike “The Man” Nasella |
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. |