The Metro Washington Council's COPE page has just been updated with the latest D.C Legislative Tracker for January-February 2017, reports Megan Fitzgerald, Metro Council Strategic Campaign Organizer. The page also includes an overview of the DC City Council's FY18 budget process, including the hearings schedule. The schedule for DC, Prince George's/Montgomery County and Tri-County COPE meetings is also posted on the COPE page.
More than 130 union leaders, migrant worker rights advocates and top international human rights officials from nearly two dozen countries and 57 organizations are meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, to share strategies for empowering migrant workers in Africa and map out plans for changing policies and laws to provide migrant workers fundamental workplace rights. The January 25–27 Solidarity Center conference, “Achieving Fair Migration: Roles of African Trade Unions and Their Partners” includes discussions with migrant workers from across Africa. See full coverage here and check out a photo essay on migrant workers here. photo: domestic worker Fauzia Muthoni Wanjiru January 27 New York City maids organize to improve working conditions - 1734 Mine explosion in Mount Pleasant, Pa., leaves more than 100 dead - 1891 First meeting of the Int’l Labor Organization (ILO) - 1920 Kansas miners strike against compulsory arbitration - 1920 A 3¢ postage stamp is issued, honoring AFL founder Samuel Gompers - 1950 (There is Power in a Union: The Epic Story of Labor in America is the sympathetic, thoughtful and highly readable history of the American labor movement traces unionism from the textile mills of Lowell, Massachusetts in the 1820s to organized labor’s decline in the 1980s and struggle for survival and growth today.) A group of Detroit African-American auto workers known as the Eldon Avenue Axle Plant Revolutionary Union Movement leads a wildcat strike against racism and bad working conditions. They are critical of both automakers and the UAW, condemning the seniority system and grievance procedures as racist – 1969 Pete Seeger dies in New York at age 94. A musician and activist, he was a revered figure on the American left, persecuted during the McCarthy era for his support of progressive, labor and civil rights causes. A prolific songwriter, he is generally credited with popularizing the civil rights anthem “We Shall Overcome.” He actively participated in demonstrations until shortly before his death – 2014 Members of the Northwestern University football team announce they are seeking union recognition. A majority signed cards, later delivered to the National Labor Relations Board office in Chicago, asking for representation by the College Athletes Players Association - 2014 January 28 American Miners’ Association formed - 1861 First U.S. unemployment compensation law enacted, in Wisconsin - 1932 January 29 Responding to unrest among Irish laborers building the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, President Andrew Jackson orders first use of American troops to suppress a labor dispute - 1834 Six thousand railway workers strike for a union and the end of 18-hour day - 1889 Sit-down strike helps establish United Rubber Workers as a national union, Akron, Ohio - 1936 American Train Dispatchers Department granted a charter by the AFL-CIO - 1957 Dolly Parton hits number one on the record charts with "9 to 5," her anthem to the daily grind - 1981 Newly-elected President Barack Obama signs the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, making it easier for women and minorities to win pay discrimination suits – 2009 Compiled/edited by Union Communication Services |