Friday's derailment shutting down Metrorail’s Orange and Blue Lines dramatically underlined the need for dedicated funding that was the focus of Saturday's previously-planned rally organized by ATU 689 and other Metro workers. "Fix it! Fund it!" was the demand of hundreds of Metro workers and their allies at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation on East Capitol Street. "This incident is a stark reminder of the need for dedicated funding for Metro so that the basic needs of maintenance and upkeep of our rail system can be addressed before someone else gets hurt," said Local 689. The rally featured introductions of Metro workers and a description of their work responsibility, each punctuated with call and response "We make it work!" From third shift car cleaners to station managers, electricians and journeyman escalator maintenance and repair, all reported having to "make do with less," including fewer people, less new equipment and inadequate supplies.
Recounting the history of transport work from it's earliest days when private operators worked their horses four-hour shifts but forced 12-hour shifts on their workers, DC Circulator Bus Operator Flynn 'Tiny' Burke urged transit workers to "Organize, unite, and fight!" For the latest local labor calendar listings, go to dclabor.org and click on Calendar. Here’s today's labor history: On this date in 1939, the Hatch Act was passed. Officially titled "An Act to Prevent Pernicious Political Activities," the Hatch Act prohibits employees in the executive branch of the federal government, except the president, vice-president, and certain designated high-level officials of that branch, from engaging in some forms of political activity. The law was named for Senator Carl Hatch of New Mexico and was most recently amended in 2012. Today’s labor quote is a traditional Aboriginal Wise Saying "If you come only to help me, you can go back home. But if you consider my struggle as part of your struggle for survival, then maybe we can work together."
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