American Airlines, Delta, and United made over $50 billion in combined profits in just the past five years alone, but the workers who prepare and load food and beverages onto their planes are often left living in poverty and unable to afford healthcare.
In June, thousands of airline catering workers voted to authorize strikes when released by the government. Supporters will rally in solidarity with these workers today at National Airport beginning at 4:30 PM in the Terminal B South Terrace. Nationally, the majority of the food workers serving these airlines still earn less than $15 per hour - including some with decades of service. Meanwhile, family health insurance premiums are over $500 per month for these employees, leaving many with an impossible choice between their health and their bills. For the latest local labor calendar listings, go to dclabor.org and click on Calendar. In today’s labor history, on this date in 1913, Northern Michigan copper miners struck for union recognition, higher wages and the eight-hour day. By the time they threw in the towel the following April, 1,100 had been arrested on various charges and Western Federation of Miners President Charles Moyer had been shot, beaten and forced out of town. Today’s labor quote is by anarchist Alexander Berkman, who, in an effort to avenge the Homestead massacre 18 days earlier, in which nine strikers were killed, shot and stabbed -- but failed to kill -- steel magnate Henry Clay Frick on this date in 1892. Alexander Berkman, who said: ’Man's inhumanity to man’ is not the last word. The truth lies deeper. It is economic slavery, the savage struggle for a crumb, that has converted mankind into wolves and sheep.” Union City Radio is supported by our friends at Union Plus. Hey, did you know that AT&T waives select activation and upgrade fees for union members enrolled in the AT&T Signature Program? Visit unionplus.org/att to learn more.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
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. |