Supermarket workers at Kroger last week ratified a new contract that included several improvements over their last contract. But their union, UFCW Local 400, warned that “it’s not everything we wanted – and it’s far from what we need” and vowed to continue building a stronger union to win even better contracts in the future. The new contract took effect immediately and extends for the next four years. You can get more details on local 400’s website at ufcw400.org
For the latest local labor calendar, go to dclabor.org and click on Calendar. Here’s today's labor history: On this date in 1884, Congress created a Bureau of Labor, under the Interior Department. It later became independent as a Department of Labor without executive status in the Department of Commerce and Labor; in 1913 it became the Department of Labor we know today. In 1926, Tony Mazzocchi was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. An activist and officer in the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers union, he was a mentor to Karen Silkwood. Mazzocchi was also a founder of the Labor Party and a prime mover behind the 1970 passage of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. He also co-founded the DC Labor FilmFest which celebrated its 16th anniversary this year as part of the expanded DC LaborFest. Today’s labor quote is by Tony Mazzocchi “There is a dawn approaching that is indicating and shouting to us that it's our moment. But we've got to seize that moment and use what we know so well—how to organize and, fundamentally, how to fight!”
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AFSCME Maryland members have won a tentative agreement to reinstate their employee leave donation program for non-exempt staff at the University of Maryland – Baltimore County. Working through AFSCME Local 1459, UMBC employees proposed being able to donate earned sick leave to a co-worker facing catastrophic illness who's depleted their sick leave. Management agreed, as long as employees maintain a minimum balance of sick leave hours. Non-exempt employees at UMBC had previously lost this right and have now won it back. The UMBC workers will vote on this and other contract wins later this year.
On this weekend's labor calendar, area union activists will join the annual Pride Parade tomorrow, gathering at 4:30pm at 22nd & P Streets, NW. For the latest local labor calendar, go to dclabor.org and click on Calendar. Here’s today's labor history: On this date in 1963, President Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act, which mandated equal pay to women who are performing the same jobs as men. On June 11, 1894, representatives from the American Federation of Labor, Knights of Labor, the populists, railroad brotherhoods and other trade unions held a unity conference in St. Louis but failed to overcome their differences. And on June 12, 1981, the Major League Baseball strike began, forcing cancellation of 713 games. Most observers blamed team owners for the strike: they were trying to recover from a court decision favoring the players on free agency. Today’s labor quote is by pitcher Tom Seaver, during the 1981 baseball strike: “The owners are taking a very destructive position; it’s very disturbing. If they are trying to alienate the players, they are doing a good job." Seaver was a superstar pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds. Union City Radio’s Chris Garlock hosts, with DCNA Executive Director and labor lawyer Ed Smith.
This week's guests: AFL-CIO Assistant to the Secretary-Treasurer Katie Corrigan on "Finding Time: The Economics of Work-Life Conflict." Julie Karant, SEIU 32BJ on this week’s DC City Council vote to increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour. Jerame Davis, Pride@Work (in-studio) on Pride Month and "Why Working People in Unions Are Fighting LGBTQ Discrimination in the Workplace." Labor song of the week: Donna Summer - She Works Hard For The Money Local labor leaders hailed the vote Tuesday by the DC City Council, which unanimously approved an increase to the District’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2020, joining California, New York, Seattle and other states and cities that have already approved $15-dollar wage floors. SEIU 32BJ Vice President Jaime Contreras said that “The Mayor and D.C. Council members are setting an example for the nation to follow by pushing one of the nation’s highest minimum wages to help dig men and women out of poverty.” And Metro Council Executive Director Carlos Jimenez said that "Everyone who works for a living in D.C. ought to be able to make a living in the District," noting that "As a result of this proposed legislation, more than 100,000 working people would see their wages increase."
On today's "Your Rights at Work" show, we'll chat with Katie Corrigan-- AFL-CIO Assistant to the Secretary-Treasurer -- about the economics of the work-life conflict. That's from 1 to 2pm here on WPFW. For the latest local labor calendar, go to dclabor.org and click on Calendar. Here’s today's labor history: On this date in 1865, Helen Marot ("Ma-Ro") was born in Philadelphia to a wealthy family. She went on to organize the Bookkeepers, Stenographers and Accountants Union in New York, and to organize and lead the city's 1909 Shirtwaist Strike. In 1912, she was a member of a commission investigating the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire. Today’s labor quote is by Helen Marot "The labor unions are group efforts in the direction of democracy. Like the political efforts in the same direction, they become many times stultified and lead up blind alleys. But the effort creates power. While the economic gains are themselves important and are measures of strength, the significance of the labor union is its assertion of the manhood of labor." |
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