Host:  Chris Garlock; JOIN US AT 202-588-0893

Guests (in-studio): 
WPFW General Manager Jerry Paris on the workers who are repairing the station's antenna
Jonathan Williams, UFCW 400 Communications Manager, on wins in 2016 and challenges in 2017. 

Labor Song: Billy Bragg -There Is Power In A Union

For any breaking labor news this holiday week, check dclabor.org, like us on Facebook, or follow us @dclabor on Twitter.

Here’s today's labor history:
On this date in 1899, three dozen railroad clerks gathered in the back room of a cigar shop in Sedalia, Missouri to form Local Lodge Number 1 of a union they named the Order of the Railroad Clerks of America.  
In 1905, Idaho Governor Frank Steunenberg, who had brutally suppressed the state’s miners, was killed by an assassin's bomb. Legendary Western Federation of Miners and IWW leader William "Big Bill" Haywood and two other men were put on trial for the death but were ultimately declared innocent. 
In 1936, a GM sit-down strike spread to Flint, Michigan and would last 44 days before ending in union victory on February 11, 1937, when GM signed a contract with the United Auto Workers, recognizing the union as the sole bargaining agent for the workers in all of its plants.

Today’s labor quote is by William Haywood
"Big Bill" Haywood, who said that the mine owners "did not find the gold, they did not mine the gold, they did not mill the gold, but by some weird alchemy all the gold belonged to them!"

For any breaking labor news this holiday week, check dclabor.org, like us on Facebook, or follow us @dclabor on Twitter.

Here’s today's labor history:
On this date in 1970, after years of intensive lobbying by the labor movement, a comprehensive national safety law was enacted as President Nixon signed the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 , creating the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA. 
Since OSHA opened its doors in 1971, workplace fatalities have been cut in half and occupational injury and illness rates have dropped 40 percent. Even so, too many workers continue to be killed and injured on the job. 

Today’s labor quote is Tony Mazzocchi, the primary force behind enactment of OSHA.
Speaking about the exposure of hundreds of workers to asbestos in Tyler, Texas, during the 1960s, he said:
"I wanted the whole country to know in detail what had happened at that factory, and to understand what had gone on there—the fruitless...lack of enforcement by the Department of Labor, the whole long lousy history of neglect, deceit and stupidity—was happening in dozens of other ways, in hundreds of other factories, to thousands of other men across the land. I wanted people to know that thousands upon thousands of their fellow citizens were being assaulted daily, and that the police—in this case, the federal government—had done nothing to remedy the situation. In short I wanted them to know that murder was being committed in the workplace, and that no one was bothering about it."

For any breaking labor news this holiday week, check dclabor.org, like us on Facebook, or follow us @dclabor on Twitter.

Here’s today's labor history:
On this date in 1865, the coffee percolator was patented by James H. Mason of Franklin, Massachusetts, placing millions of caffeine-dependent working people forever in his debt.
In 1936, auto workers began a sit-down strike for union recognition at GM’s Fisher Body plant in Cleveland, Ohio. Two days later, the strike spread to the plant in Flint, Michigan, and continued until GM recognized the United Auto Workers as the bargaining agent for its employees in February 1937. 
In 1952, country music legend Hank Williams attended what was to be his last musicians’ union meeting, at the Elite (pronounced E-light) Café in Montgomery, Alabama.  He died of heart failure three days later in the back seat of a car driving north.  He was just 29 years old.  

Today’s labor quote is by Hank Williams, from his song "Wealth Won't Save Your Soul"
THE RICH MAN LIKE ALL, WILL BE JUDGED AT THAT TIME,
BUT ALL OF HIS WEALTH, WILL BE LEFT BEHIND.
FOR NO MATTER HOW MUCH EARTHLY WEALTH YOU GET HOLD,
WELL MY FRIEND IT WON'T SAVE, YOUR POOR WICKED SOUL.

For any breaking labor news this holiday week, check dclabor.org, like us on Facebook, or follow us @dclabor on Twitter.

Here’s today's labor history:
On this date in 1943, President Roosevelt seized the railroads to avert a nationwide strike. The nation was in the midst of World War Two. During the war, demands on food and other goods drove prices up. The cost of living had grown more than twenty-five percent from 1939 to 1943, but wages did not keep pace.  
Railroad workers asked for a wage increase. When negotiations showed little progress, three of the railroad unions announced they would strike. Many unions had agreed not strike during the war, but workers grew increasingly impatient, as they saw industry owners rake in war profits.
Roosevelt's decision to place the railroads under the “supervision” of the War Department prompted the railroad brotherhoods to agree to his offer to arbitrate the wage dispute.
The seizure did not last long. The unions and railroad management came to agreement in mid-January, and the railroad workers won raises with the new contracts.  

Today’s labor quote is by President Roosevelt, from Executive Order 9412, seizing control of the railroads:
"If any employees of the railroads now strike, they will be striking against the Government of the United States.” 

For any breaking labor news this holiday week, check dclabor.org, like us on Facebook, or follow us @Dclabor on Twitter.

Here’s today's labor history:
On this date in 1869, the Knights of Labor were founded. The largest and one of the most important American labor organizations of the 1880s, the Knights promoted the social and cultural uplift of the workingman, rejected socialism and anarchism, demanded the eight-hour day, and called for legislation to end child and convict labor. In some cases the Knights acted as a labor union, negotiating with employers, but it was never well organized, and after a rapid expansion in the mid-1880s, it just as quickly lost its new members and became a small operation again. A diverse industrial union open to all workers, the Knights' constitution banned “parasites,” from membership,  including stockbrokers and lawyers.  
The Knights of Labor contributed to the tradition of labor protest songs in America, frequently including music in their regular meetings, and encouraging local members to write and perform their work. The song "Hold the Fort", a Knights of Labor pro-labor revision of the hymn by the same name, became the most popular labor song prior to Ralph Chaplin's IWW anthem "Solidarity Forever".

Today’s labor quote is the chorus from "Hold the Fort"
Hold the fort for we are coming. 
Union men, be strong! 
Side by side we battle onward; 
Victory will come.

In twin victories hailed as "an inspiration to working people everywhere," hotel workers in DC this week won the right to organize while those in Las Vegas won a 4-year contract.
The UNITE HERE union workers "have proven we can take on the powerful and win, even when the boss is running for President of the United States," said AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka. UNITE HERE Local 25 and Trump International Hotel Washington, D.C. announced on Wednesday that they have reached an agreement to permit an organizing campaign for workers at the recently-opened Trump hotel at the Old Post Office building on Pennsylvania Avenue. 
Also on Wednesday, UNITE HERE Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and Bartenders Union Local 165 announced a new first time union contract covering employees at the Trump International Hotel Las Vegas. The four-year contract will provide the employees with annual wage increases, a pension, family health care, and job security. The Culinary Union had been voted in by workers at Trump Hotel Las Vegas last March, but Trump had refused to recognize and bargain with the union.
Read more on our website at dclabor.org

On today's labor calendar, just a reminder that as you're out and about over the holidays, take a moment to appreciate those who are on the job while we're enjoying time with our loved ones.

Here’s today's labor history:
On this date in 2008, Walmart agreed to settle wage and hour suits across the U.S., for a grand total of between $352 million and $640 million. It was accused of failure to pay overtime, requiring off-the-clock work, and failure to provide required meal and rest breaks.
On December 24, 1913, seventy-two copper miners’ children died in panic caused by a company stooge in Calumet, Michigan, who shouted “fire” up the stairs into a crowded hall where children had gathered for a holiday party.  They were crushed against closed doors when they tried to flee.
And on December 25, 1967, fourteen servicemen from military bases across the U.S., led by Private Andrew Stapp, formed The American Servicemen’s Union. The union, which was never recognized by the government, claimed tens of thousands of members and their demands included the right to elect officers.

Today’s labor quote is by Francis of Assisi
“He who works with his hands is a laborer.
He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman.
He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist.” 

Hosts:  Chris Garlock and Ed Smith

Guests:
Jerame Davis, [email protected] Executive Director (in-studio): Labor Secretary Andy Puzder and what’s ahead for LGBTQ rights at work.
Joanna Blotner, Jews United for Justice: this week's passage of the Universal Paid Leave Act at the DC City Council and what’s next.  

Labor Song: Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - Bruce Springsteen
 
The show airs live on WPFW at 1p every Thursday or subscribe to the podcast here. Peter Pocock produces the show, Michael Nassella engineers and UFCW 400's Jonathan Williams designed the podcast logo.

After a dramatic day of lobbying, the DC City Council on Tuesday passed the Universal Paid Leave Act with a veto-proof 9-to-4 vote. Supporters packed the Council chambers to hear moving testimony about the need for paid leave and witness a cliffhanger vote on a last-minute effort by business interests to scuttle the payroll tax to fund the historic program. The voluntary "employer mandate" failed 8-5 and the original bill passed, making DC just the fifth jurisdiction in the country with a paid leave program. “We won because more than 200 organizations worked in harmony, representing diverse community groups, labor, service providers, small businesses, and national advocates," said Jews United for Justice. Metro Washington Labor Council Executive Director Carlos Jimenez called it "a major, major win for the more than half a million DC workers who will benefit from paid family leave." 
The Council also approved the Rail Safety and Security Amendment Act Tuesday, 10-3. "We now have the framework for a proactive rail safety program,” said Herbert Harris Jr., State Chairman of the DC Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen. While the new law will enable “proper oversight of the railroads in the District of Columbia," Harris warned that it lacks “a key component of rail safety," which would have required two trained rail professionals on every freight train.
Read more on our website at dclabor.org

On today's labor calendar, [email protected] Executive Director Jerame Davis will be in-studio with Ed Smith and me on "Your Rights At Work," 1pm today here on WPFW as we take listener calls about worker rights. 
For the complete calendar and more details, go to dclabor.org and click on Calendar.

Here’s today's labor history:
On this date in 1897, a group of building trades unions from the Midwest met in St. Louis to form the National Building Trades Council. The Council disbanded after several years of political and jurisdictional differences. 
In 1910, twenty-one Chicago firefighters, including the chief, died when a building collapsed as they were fighting a huge blaze at the Union Stock Yards.  By the time the fire was extinguished, 50 engine companies and seven hook-and-ladder companies had been called to the scene. Until September 11, 2001, it was the deadliest building collapse in American history in terms of firefighter fatalities.
And in 1919, amid a widespread strike for union recognition by nearly 400,000 steelworkers, approximately 250 alleged “anarchists,” “communists,” and “labor agitators” were deported to Russia, marking the beginning of the so-called “Red Scare.” 

Today’s labor quote is by Woody Guthrie
Folksinger Woody Guthrie, who said, "“I ain't a Communist necessarily, but I have been in the red all my life.”

​The Coalition of Metro Labor Unions is planning a series of Town Halls in January to develop a “People’s Agenda for Metro.” Current budget proposals by the Metro board include longer wait times for trains, elimination of essential bus lines, and firing 1,000 workers. “These proposals will have real consequences for the people who depend on Metro and the public’s input must be heard,” says Jackie Jeter, president of ATU local 689, which represents many of the Metro workers. In addition to Local 689, the coalition includes OPEIU Local 2 and Teamsters Locals 922 and 639. The coalition represents more than 13,000 workers at Metro, and is urging attendance at the Town Halls by allies and the public. “It is important to listen to our ridership so that we can face these challenges together,” Jeter said. The Town Hall dates are on our calendar at dclabor.org

Here’s today's labor history:
On this date in 1790, powered by children seven to 12 years old working dawn to dusk, Samuel Slater’s thread-spinning factory went into production in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, launching the Industrial Revolution in America. By 1830, 55 percent of the mill workers in the state were youngsters, many working for less than $1 per week.
In 1921, the Supreme Court ruled that picketing is unconstitutional. Chief Justice -- and former president -- William Howard Taft declared that picketing was, in part, "an unlawful annoyance and hurtful nuisance..."

Today’s labor quote is by Mother Jones
“Little girls and boys, barefooted, walked up and down between the endless rows of spindles, reaching thin little hands into the machinery to repair snapped threads.” Mother Jones, who also said, “And who is responsible for this appalling child slavery? Everyone.”