“Any song that points out something that is wrong, needs fixing, and shows you how to fix it – is the undying song of the working people. If it is made a little jazzy or sexy that ain’t wrong – what book could you read to a crowd that would make them dance?” Bowser Signs Settlement Agreement With Fire Fighters 36, Resolving 14-Year Overtime Lawsuit10/25/2015
A 14-year lawsuit between Fire Fighters Local 36 and the District government was resolved Saturday when DC Mayor Muriel Bowser signed a settlement agreement. “This settlement helps ensure that the hard-working men and women at DCFEMS are paid for the overtime that they have already worked and earned," said Mayor Bowser. The District will now pay Local 36 members time and a half for overtime. Union members impacted will be awarded back pay, dating back to 2001. The total cost of the settlement is expected to be $45 million. “We could not be more excited to settle a matter that started in 2001, covers more than 3,000 firefighters and was disputed with three previous mayoral administrations," said Local 36 President Ed Smith. Smith thanked Bowser for settling this dispute, saying that "It means the world to the men and women who serve the District residents every day and night." Before signing the agreement, Bowser donned firefighting gear and, along with other firefighters and with Smith at her side, entered a burning training building at the D.C. Fire and EMS Training Academy in Southwest, saying " It gives me a good appreciation for what the men and women do every single day.” photo from Local 36 Twitter feed This Week's Quiz: Before embarking on his inspiring career as a farm worker, labor leader, and civil rights activist, Cesar Chavez served two years in which branch of the U.S. military? Army; Navy; Air Force; Marines; Coast Guard. Click here and you could be next week's winner of a labor-themed prize! Previous Quiz: "The Jungle," which exposed the harsh conditions and exploited lives of immigrants in the Chicago meatpacking industry, was written by Upton Sinclair. Congrats to Indalecio Ariza of NTEU Chapter 72, Austin, TX, this week's quiz winner! Organized in 1998, the DC Labor Chorus is a singing collective of union members, community activists, and professional musicians committed to the cause of social and economic justice for all workers. "We sing for those who labor, we sing to organize, we are a mighty chorus, we’re singing for our lives." —Click here to listen to the song. Many of the songs selected for this feature are available from the Labor Heritage Foundation. |