DC hip hop music artist Christylez Bacon -- joined by bassist Wytold -- performs his live eclectic blend of hip-hop, classical and jazz music and discusses the working life of musicians with Union City Radio's Chris Garlock. 

Verizon last week rejected CWA's latest contract proposal, reports CWA District 2. "In fact, almost every proposal the union has placed on the table has been rejected by the company," says CWA. Contracts covering nearly 40,000 CWA and IBEW workers at Verizon expired last August. Verizon "is still not hearing us so it is more important than ever that we take this fight to a new level," CWA told its members. "Tell Verizon management that we demand a fair contract and let them know that we are ready to STRIKE to get one! Mobilize! Mobilize! Mobilize!"

On today's Labor Calendar, The Virginia AFL-CIO Legislative Conference starts this Sunday, January 31 in Richmond; for more info, contact the Virginia AFL-CIO at 804-755-8001.
And the annual “Bowling for Gold” Union Bowling Tournament will roll this Sunday at the Crofton Bowling Center in Crofton, Maryland. The event raises money for the Community Services Agency’s Emergency Assistance Fund; call Kathleen McKirchy at 202-974-8221 if you want to participate.
Go to dclabor.org and click on calendar for the latest local labor event updates.

Here’s today’s labor history:
On this date in 1834, responding to unrest among Irish laborers building the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, President Andrew Jackson ordered the first use of American troops to suppress a labor dispute.
In 1889, six thousand railway workers struck for a union and the end of 18-hour day.
In 1981, Dolly Parton hit number one on the record charts with "9 to 5," her anthem to the daily grind.
And on this date in 2009, newly-elected President Barack Obama signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, making it easier for women and minorities to win pay discrimination suits.

Today’s labor quote is by Lilly Ledbetter
“We sought justice because equal pay for equal work is an American value. That fight took me ten years. It took me all the way to the Supreme Court. And, in a 5-4 decision, they stood on the side of those who shortchanged my pay, my overtime, and my retirement just because I am a woman.” Lilly Ledbetter, who also said “Because women still earn just 77 cents for every dollar men make. Those pennies add up to real money.”

Today's guest: DC Jobs with Justice Executive Director Nikki Lewis discusses the local coalition’s 15th anniversary, ongoing battles for workers’ rights – including the current Just Hours campaign – and the upcoming national JWJ conference in DC with host Chris Garlock. Plus listener calls on the need to organize. 

Labor song of the day: Respect; Aretha Franklin, in honor of the anniversary of President Obama signing the Lilly Ledbetter Act in 2009

This Week's Labor Quiz: The Supreme Court of the United States heard a case last week that is very important to labor. The court will answer what question? Is it: Are right-to-work laws constitutional; Can companies lock out their workers without notice; Can public employee unions charge non-members a fee or Is the $15 minimum wage movement protected by the first amendment? If you think you know the answer, go to unionist.com and click on Labor Quiz and you could be next week’s winner!

Seventy food service and physical therapy employees at state hospitals in Maryland are fighting for their jobs after being targeted by Maryland governor Larry Hogan, reports their union, AFSCME 3. The workers did a round of visits to state lawmakers last week to urge them not to let Hogan fire the cooks and physical therapy aides who serve Maryland's most vulnerable patients. The cooks and aides work at the state's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. A Lobby Night on the issue scheduled for this week Monday has been rescheduled for February 8.

On today's Labor Calendar, DC Jobs with Justice Executive Director Nikki Lewis is our special guest on this week’s "Your Rights At Work" call-in radio show here on WPFW 89.3 FM, from 1– 2pm. Call in at 202-588-0893.
Go to dclabor.org and click on calendar for the latest local labor event updates.

Here’s today’s labor history:
On this date in 1917, house cleaner Carmelita Torres led what would become known as the “Bath Riots” at the Juarez/El Paso border, refusing the gasoline and chemical “bath” imposed on Mexican workers crossing the border into the U.S. Torres and 30 other women resisted and several hundred people quickly joined in the demonstration. Troops eventually quelled the riot and Torres was arrested. The practice continued for decades.
In 1931, the first U.S. unemployment compensation law was enacted, in Wisconsin.

Today’s labor quote is by Bill Clinton:
“About half our problems would go away overnight if everybody in this country who wanted to work had a job.”