In a recent post, UFCW Local 400 said that the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed countless shortcomings in our country, from our inadequate healthcare system to our federal government’s feckless response.
“But,” the union added, “the crisis has also brought out the best in many members of our community.” One recent example comes from the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, which recently organized volunteers to sew and donate masks to UFCW Local 400 grocery workers. “It is one of the small ways we can show grocery workers and shelter residents that they are loved and appreciated,” said Kim Bobo, Executive Director at the Virginia Interfaith Center. In today’s labor history, on this date in 1934, ten thousand strikers at Toledo, Ohio’s Auto-Lite plant repelled police who had come to break up their strike for union recognition. The next day, two strikers were killed and 15 wounded when National Guard machine gun units opened fire. Two weeks later the company recognized the union and agreed to a 5 percent raise. Today’s labor quote is from a poem entitled The Stonecutters Kit, by Will Butler, which appeared in the January 1923 issue of The Stone Cutters Journal, published by the Granite Cutters International Association of America, which on this date in 1983 merged with the Tile, Marble, Terrazzo, Finishers & Shopmen union, which in turn five years later merged into the Carpenters union. There are two other things you need to know: “kit” refers to his bag of stone-cutting tools, and a hickory six-pounds weight is a sledgehammer. Here’s the last stanza of The Stonecutters Kit: Now I'm taking it easy, for my traveling days are over My old kit still is by my side, as it was in the days of yore My good old hickory six-pounds weight is still smiling up at me The shine I have upon its face would do you good to see I'd like to take it to that place where man is borne; I don't like parting with a friend but man is made to mourn. So I'll leave it to my buddy, who is a friend to me, If he's good to my old hickory, a true friend he will be. Union City Radio is supported by our friends at Union Plus. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, many families are being hit with increased financial burdens. For those struggling with their credit, the Union Plus Credit Counseling program is still operating online and over the phone. Visit unionplus.org/creditcounseling to find out more. And of course, please be sure to support WPFW during our Spring Pledge Drive; call 202-588-9739 or 1-800-222-9739. You can also pledge online at wpfwfm.org -- click on Donate Now -- you can now give by using WPFW's CashApp account, just search for $WPFW. Thanks very much!
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In international labor news, the Solidarity Center reports that in Ukraine, unions and worker rights activists are leveraging trade unions’ collective power to advocate for better pay and conditions for working people and help provide emergency relief during quarantine, despite the challenges posed by the country's worsening labor rights environment.
And unions in Jordan, Kenya, Zimbabwe and elsewhere are providing relief where resources allow and banding together to urge governments to provide financial and other social support for some of the world's 2 billion workers in the informal economy. Find out more at solidaritycenter.org In today’s labor history, on this date in 1909, while white locomotive firemen on the Georgia Railroad were on strike, blacks who were hired as replacements were whipped and stoned -- not by the union men, but by white citizens outraged that blacks were being hired over whites. The Engineers union threatened to stop work because their members were being affected by the violence. Today’s labor quote is by Eugene Victor Debs, imprisoned on this date in 1895 in Woodstock, Illinois for his role in the Pullman strike. Gene Debs, who said: “Too long have the workers of the world waited for some Moses to lead them out of bondage. I would not lead you out if I could; for if you could be led out, you could be led back again. I would have you make up your minds there is nothing that you cannot do for yourselves.” Union City Radio is supported by our friends at Union Plus. Hey, did you know that you can shop for a car and truck from home and save more than $3,000 dollars this Memorial Day? It’s true; just go to unionplus.org, where you can research new and used cars online and look for the “Buy from Home” badge to see which dealerships offer remote paperwork and vehicle delivery right to your door (well, driveway, actually). Find out more at unionplus.org And you can contribute right on your phone to WPFW during our Spring Pledge Drive; by using WPFW's CashApp account, just search for $WPFW. Or you can call 202-588-9739 or 1-800-222-9739 or pledge online at wpfwfm.org, click on Donate Now. Thanks very much! Months into the coronavirus pandemic, healthcare unions are continuing to work with members, elected officials, employers, and manufacturers to get healthcare workers the PPE, crisis pay, and support they need to get through this pandemic.
“But we can't win PPE, crisis pay, and testing without you!” says 1199SEIU. As Congress considers a new coronavirus bill, the union urges calls – 844-898-1199 -- to tell Congress to “Fund the Front Lines!” We’ve got a link for a script and tips on the issue in both English and Spanish on our website at dclabor.org. In today’s labor history, on this date in 1926, the Railway Labor Act took effect. It was the first federal legislation protecting workers’ rights to form unions. Today’s labor quote is by sociologist Charles Horton Cooley, who said: “One of the great reasons for the popularity of strikes is that they give the suppressed self a sense of power. For once, the human tool knows itself a man, able to stand up and speak a word or strike a blow.” Union City Radio is supported by our friends at Union Plus. They’ve got a ton of great resources for union members on their website – unionplus.org – from Financial Strategies for Challenging Times, to Union Plus Job Loss Grant, Union Plus Hardship Benefits, and details on how to complete your bachelor's degree for FREE when you enroll by June 22. All that and more at unionplus.org And of course, please be sure to support WPFW during our Spring Pledge Drive; call 202-588-9739 or 1-800-222-9739. You can also pledge online at wpfwfm.org -- click on Donate Now -- you can now give by using WPFW's CashApp account, just search for $WPFW. Thanks very much! County employees and community groups staged a car parade and walking protest past County Councilmember Hans Reimer’s Takoma Park home on Saturday to show their displeasure with Reimer and five of his fellow councilmembers’ votes last week against funding revised contracts with the three county unions.
In organizing news, Signature Theater workers, in what their union called “an overwhelming display of solidarity” have voted to join IATSE Local 22, which will now begin negotiations for a first contract. In today’s labor history, on this date in 1920, striking union miners, led by Police Chief Sid Hatfield, had a shootout with coal company agents in Matewan, West Virginia; ten died, including seven agents. John Sayles based his 1987 film “Matewan” on this incident. Today’s labor quote is by actor and comedian Jerry Stiller, who died last week at 92. Jerry Stiller, who said “I’ve never thought of stopping. The only time you ever stop working is when they don’t call you.” Union City Radio is supported by our friends at Union Plus. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, many families are being hit with increased financial burdens. For those struggling with their credit, the Union Plus Credit Counseling program is still operating online and over the phone. Visit unionplus.org/creditcounseling to find out more. 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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