This is Chris Garlock, with the latest labor news, updates and history from the Metro Washington Labor Council.
(audio) I’m very clear in knowing that the workplace conditions that we enjoy today are largely due to if not singularly the efforts of organized labor going back decades.” That’s Andrew Gillum, the former Tallahassee mayor and 2018 Democratic nominee for Florida governor, on the latest “State of the Unions” podcast, discussing the impact of organized labor: “Workplace protection, pay, what it means to be able to bargain on behalf of regular working people so that major, large corporate interests and profits don’t get to always rule the day when it comes to what happens in the workplace. My mother...and I shared often on the trails...growing up she was a school bus driver and my daddy was a construction worker. She was a member of AFSCME when she drove for the Miami Dade School System. And then was a member of the Amalgamated Transit Union when she became a city bus driver. And she got up every day working right on behalf my family to make it better for us but I also remember what it was like watching my mother and father argue at the end of the day over which bills they could pay before something got cut off, because the system didn’t always work for them. And so labor has meant a tremendous amount just in my own life and in my own living experience, but more broadly what it has meant to the middle class and to working class folks...what we have done with labor...I say we...what labor has done to really create a more lasting middle class in this country is something that is under total duress under this administration and under rules that are being increasingly built and strengthened against the everyday worker. That’s why the stakes are so high in these elections.” Gillum also shares his experiences on the campaign trail and previews the important fights ahead on voting, worker and civil rights; check out the full interview on the AFL-CIO’s “State of the Unions” podcast, available wherever you listen to podcasts. On today’s labor calendar, tune in at 1pm this afternoon for “Your Rights At Work”; we’ll talk about next steps after the government shutdown, plus The Solidarity Center reports on the crisis in Zimbabwe and as always, your calls. That’s 1pm this afternoon right here on WPFW 89.3FM. And for the latest labor calendar listings, go to dclabor.org and click on Calendar. In today’s labor history, on this date in 2002, union and student pressure forced Harvard university to adopt new labor policies raising wages for its lowest-paid workers. Today’s labor quote is by Ida May Fuller, the first retiree to receive an old-age monthly benefit check under the new Social Security law, on this date in 1940. Miss Fuller -- known as Aunt Ida to her friends and family—lived in Vermont and had filed her retirement claim the previous November, having worked under Social Security for just under three years. While running an errand she dropped by the Rutland Social Security office to ask about possible benefits. "It wasn't that I expected anything, mind you,” she said, “but I knew I'd been paying for something called Social Security and I wanted to ask the people in Rutland about it." Union City Radio is supported by our friends at Union Plus, which offers a FREE consumer credit counseling session for union members. To learn more about how to get back on track with your finances, visit unionplus.org.
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Hosted by Chris Garlock and Ed Smith DC’s call-in show about worker rights: those you have, those you don’t, how to get them and how to use them. HOUR 1 Hanad Mohamud, Africa regional director, Solidarity Center on the violent repression of worker protests in Zimbabwe. Music: Oliver Mtukudzi: Mutserendende Heidi Burakiewicz, partner at Kalijarvi, Chuzi, Newman & Fitch (KCNF); lead counsel in the 2013 lawsuit over the shutdown and in this year's lawsuit too for the American Federation of Government Employees: website is up and running for people to use to join the case: www.2018governmentshutdown.com Anyone affected must submit information or opt-in in order to be included in the case. This is not like a normal class action where people automatically are included. HOUR 2 Mark Gruenberg, PAI News: latest labor news, including: • Unionists, allies to keep pressure on after people power beats down Trump lockout • LaGuardia Airport shutdown ends Trump federal shutdown/lockout • ILO report demands govts. commit to new worker protections • CWA, allies: Big Sprint-T-Mobile mega-merger could slam telecom door on people of color, poor • Trump-named Labor Board GOP majority boosts firms’ ‘independent contractor’ dodge Plus: Katea Stitt and the gang on the Super Bowl, the NFL owners, racism, sexism and worker oppression. Music: Jenifer Lewis “That’s Enough!” CREDITS: Produced by Chris Garlock; engineered by Mike Nasella. Union City Radio is supported by our friends at Union Plus. This is Chris Garlock, with the latest labor news, updates and history from the Metro Washington Labor Council.
Contract workers headed back to work this week after the 35-day government shutdown, but they aren’t getting back pay. UNITE HERE Local 23 is hosting another emergency set of assistance clinics for members facing utility shutoffs or other urgent financial situations and need volunteers reports Allison Burket. “No experience is necessary,” Alison says, “we’ll train volunteers on what resources we’re providing.” The clinics will be this Thursday, January 31, from 3 to 6:30pm and Saturday, February 2, from 10am to 4pm, both at Local 23’s offices in Crystal City. You can RSVP to [email protected] – that’s [email protected] -- with your availability, and if you’re fluent in Spanish, which is not necessary but helpful. Full details on our website at dclabor.org, and we also have a link where you can send a message to Congress demanding back pay for contractors. For the latest labor calendar listings, go to dclabor.org and click on Calendar. In today’s labor history, on this date in 1882, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was born in Hyde Park, New York. He was elected president of the United States four times starting in 1932. His New Deal programs helped America survive the Great Depression. His legislative achievements included the creation of the National Labor Relations Act, which allows workers to organize unions, bargain collectively, and strike. Today’s labor quote is by Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Who said: “It is one of the characteristics of a free and democratic nation that it has free and independent labor unions.” Union City Radio is supported by our friends at Union Plus, which offers a FREE consumer credit counseling session for union members. To learn more about how to get back on track with your finances, visit unionplus.org. This is Chris Garlock, with the latest labor news, updates and history from the Metro Washington Labor Council.
With the government shutdown at least temporarily ended, the American Federation of Government Employees is urging all federal employees who have been working without pay during the 35-day government shutdown to join its shutdown lawsuit "so they can recover liquidated damages for the financial harm they suffered." And 32BJ SEIU Vice President Jaime Contreras demanded that the shutdown deal include back pay for federally-contracted workers. “As the shutdown created more suffering for hardworking people by the day, we are relieved that the government is set to reopen,” said Contreras, “but we will not give up the fight until our members get the back pay the president promised and they deserve.” We’ve got details and a link to join the lawsuit on our website at dclabor.org For the latest labor calendar listings, go to dclabor.org and click on Calendar. In today’s labor history, 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 from Dolly Parton’s "9 to 5," which hit Number 1 on this date in 1981... “Workin' 9 to 5 What a way to make a livin' Barely gettin' by It's all takin' and no givin' They just use your mind And they never give you credit It's enough to drive you Crazy if you let it” Union City Radio is supported by our friends at Union Plus, which offers a FREE consumer credit counseling session for union members. To learn more about how to get back on track with your finances, visit unionplus.org. |
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