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.”

In this week's Labor Quiz, the Supreme Court heard a case earlier this month that is very important to labor. What is the question the court will answer? Is it: Are right-to-work laws constitutional?; Can companies lock out their workers without notice? or Can public employee unions charge non-members a fee? Go to unionist.com and click on Labor Quiz and you could be next week's winner! 

On today's Labor Calendar, a special Union Night performance of "Sweat" is scheduled for tonight at 7:30pm at Arena Stage; tickets may still be available; call 202.488.4380 or email [email protected] and use the CODE: AFLCIO. Go to dclabor.org and click on calendar for the latest updates. 

Here’s today’s labor history:
On this date in 1734, New York City maids organized to improve working conditions.
In 2014, Pete Seeger died 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.
Also in 2014, members of the Northwestern University football team announced they were 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.

Today’s labor quote is by Pete Seeger
“A good song reminds us what we’re fighting for.”
Pete Seeger, who also said “I’ve never sung anywhere without giving the people listening to me a chance to join in - as a kid, as a lefty, as a man touring the U.S.A. and the world, as an oldster. I guess it’s kind of a religion with me. Participation. That’s what’s going to save the human race.” 

NOTE: due to the snowstorm there was no UC Radio broadcast for today; here's the draft content: 

​The 2016 National Jobs With Justice conference is set for February 12-13 here in Washington. "The conference is a great opportunity for DC labor activists to acquire new organizing, campaigning and communications tools, advance leadership skills and expand networks, as well as strategize and learn about breakthroughs in organizing and membership building," says DC Jobs With Justice Executive Director Nikki Lewis. 

And the next AFL-CIO Organizing Institute is coming up March 4-6 in Baltimore. The Organizing Institute trains member activists and staff in basic organizing skills. For more info and to register for either of these events, go to dclabor.org

On today's Labor Calendar, tonight’s AFL-CIO screening of "A Day's Work" has been canceled; at presstime it wasn't clear whether the "Pray for the Dead" reading at the Arts Club of Washington is going ahead or not; go to dclabor.org and click on calendar for the latest updates. 

Here’s today’s labor history:
On this date in 1695, in what could be considered the first workers’ compensation agreement in America, pirate Henry Morgan pledged his underlings 600 pieces of eight or six slaves to compensate for a lost arm or leg. Also part of the pirate’s code is that shares of the booty were equal regardless of race or sex, and shipboard decisions were made collectively, reports Roger Newell.
in 1850, Samuel Gompers, the first president of the American Federation of Labor, was born in London, England. He emigrated to the U.S. as a youth.
And in 2009, a handful of American companies announced nearly 60,000 layoffs today, as the recession that began during the George W. Bush presidency charged full-tilt toward what became known as the Great Recession. 

Today’s labor quote is by Sam Gompers:
"The man who has his millions will want everything he can lay his hands on and then raise his voice against the poor devil who wants ten cents more a day."

For the first time in 34 years, Joslyn N. Williams’s name will not appear on the officer election ballot for the Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO, which is scheduled to elect new leadership February 22. Williams, the longest-serving and first African American president of the Labor Council, recently announced that he would not run again for the position he has held since 1982. “I am just stepping down, not stepping away from the labor movement,” said Williams. “It’s time for someone else to move the work forward. I plan to redirect my energy from the battles of the metropolitan Washington area to the global arena.” Go to dclabor.org for our complete report on Williams and his legacy. 

Weather permitting, the Metro Washington Council will meet tonight at 6:30 pm at the AFL-CIO to nominate leadership for the next three years; for details and the latest local labor events -- including weather-related updates -- go to dclabor.org and click on calendar. 

Here’s today’s labor history:
On this date in 1851, Sojourner Truth addressed the first Black Women’s Rights convention.
In 1904, 200 miners were killed in a horrific explosion at the Harwick mine in Cheswick, Pennsylvania. Many of the dead still lie entombed in the sealed mine to this day.
On this date in 1915, the Supreme Court upheld “Yellow Dog” employment contracts, which ban membership in labor unions. Yellow Dog contracts remained legal until 1932.

Today’s labor quote is by Sojourner Truth:
"“You have been having our rights so long, that you think, like a slave-holder, that you own us. I know that it is hard for one who has held the reins for so long to give up; it cuts like a knife. It will feel all the better when it closes up again.” 

Teamster warehouse workers on Wednesday morning overwhelmingly approved a new 6-year contract at Safeway that saves jobs and ousts the company that had threatened to eliminate the jobs of over 700 area workers. “It’s a huge win,” said Teamsters Local 730 president Ritchie Brooks immediately after his members voted 205 to 18 in favor of the pact; in a separate meeting, Teamsters 639 members also approved it. The locals have been battling since last October when Safeway warehouse manager C&S Wholesale Grocers abruptly announced plans to close two Safeway distribution centers in Upper Marlboro and Landover. “The key to our victory was that everyone banded together,” Ritchie said. “Labor, political leaders and the community all came together to show Safeway our solidarity.” While workers gave up some concessions, they preserved every job and, most importantly, ousted C&S; Safeway will now manage the Upper Marlboro warehouse. Local and state officials pledged $1.5 million in financial incentives to keep the warehouse, and the deal also guarantees no outsourcing of jobs during the term of the contract. “Everyone came together and that’s the power of solidarity,” said Ritchie.

On our local labor calendar, there are just a few discounted tickets left to the January 27 Union Night at Arena Stage's production of "Sweat";  for details and the latest local labor events -- including weather-related updates -- go to dclabor.org and click on calendar. 

Here’s today’s labor history:
On this date in 1826, Indian field hands at San Juan Capistrano mission refused to work, engaging in what was probably the first farm worker strike in California.
Terence V. Powderly, leader of the Knights of Labor, was born on this date in 1849.
In 1890, the United Mine Workers of America was founded in Columbus, Ohio, with the merger of the Knights of Labor Trade Assembly No. 135 and the National Progressive Miners Union. 
And in 1932, five hundred New York City tenants battled police to prevent evictions. 

Today’s labor quote is by Martin Luther King, Jr:
"The labor movement did not diminish the strength of the nation but enlarged it...those who attack labor forget these simple truths but history remembers them."

Today's guests: DCA baggage handler Trey Baccus and SEIU 32BJ's Julie Karant on why airport workers want a union and $15 an hour. Plus: Ritchie Brooks, president of Teamsters Local 730, on how solidarity just saved every job (over 700) at the Safeway warehouse in Upper Marlboro.

Union City Radio's Chris Garlock and Ed Smith, labor lawyer and DCNA Executive Director, take listener calls and give shout-outs to area emergency, hospital and DPW personnel preparing to help area residents weather the impending snowstorm.  

Labor song of the day: Save the Hammer for the Man, Tom Morello/Ben Harper 

This Week's Labor Quiz: How many U.S. states are “right-to-work,” in which unions in organized workplaces are prohibited from requiring that dues or service fees be collected from all workers covered by, and benefiting from, the contract. (These people are often called “free riders” in that they benefit from collective bargaining but don’t help pay for it.) Is it 21; 22; 23; 24; or 25?  Click on Labor Quiz to submit your answer and you could be next week's winner of a labor-themed prize!

Walmart’s announcement last Friday that it was canceling two stores planned for the District sparked anger and surprise by elected officials but community activists said the move “proves once again that Walmart is a company that cannot be trusted.” 

Countless residents knew better than to trust the big-box giant, but were ignored by elected officials eager to believe the company’s false promises, said Nikki Lewis, Executive Director of DC Jobs With Justice.  “In meetings with residents and community leaders, the company promised to bring much-needed retail to Ward 7,” said Lewis. "Unfortunately,” she added, “when residents attempted to codify these promises in a written agreement, and later the Large Retailer Accountability Act, Walmart responded by threatening to cancel their plans to open three additional stores – effectively forcing Mayor Gray to veto the LRAA.” 

Reverend Edwin Jones, a pastor in Ward 7, added that "Walmart is not the kind of development we need in Ward 7. We need retailers that keep their promises and provide good jobs for our community.” 

On today’s labor calendar, catch Julie Karant of SEIU 32BJ on why airport workers are demanding a union and $15/hour at 1pm this afternoon on Your Rights at Work here on WPFW 89.3 FM. 
And then at 7pm tonight, NOVA Labor will hold its’ monthly meeting in Annandale, Virginia. For complete details go to dclabor.org and click on Calendar.

Here’s today’s labor history:
On this date in 1946, some 750,000 steel workers walked out in 30 states in the largest strike in U.S. history to that time.

In 1974, postal workers began a four-day strike at the Jersey City, New Jersey mail center, protesting an involuntary shift change.  The wildcat was led by a group of young workers who identified themselves as “The Outlaws.”

And in 2000, six hundred police attacked picketing longshoremen in Charleston, South Carolina. 

Today’s labor quote is by Martin Luther King:
“Freedom is never given voluntarily by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.”