Workers at the Washington Post have released an open letter calling on publisher Jeff Bezos, one of the wealthiest men in the world, to, quote, “show the world that you not only can lead the way in creating wealth, but that you also know how to share it with the people who helped you create it.”
The workers, members of the Washington-Baltimore News Guild, have been negotiating a contract at the Post for more than a year now and are frustrated that their successful efforts to improve the Post are not being recognized. Despite doubling digital subscriptions and boosting online traffic, Post workers have gotten nowhere in their quest for raises, equal pay, retirement benefits, and job security. “It’s been more than a year,” the workers said in a video released last week. “We deserve more and we deserve better.” For the latest local labor calendar, go to dclabor.org, and click on Calendar. Here’s today's labor history: On this date in 1943, striking African American auto workers were attacked by KKK, National Workers League, and armed white workers at Belle Isle amusement park in Detroit. Two days of riots followed, during which 34 people were killed, and more than 1,300 arrested. Hear more on this week’s Labor History Today podcast, available on your favorite podcast platform, just search for Union City Radio. Today’s labor quote is by Eleanor Roosevelt, who said: "Courage is more exhilarating than fear, and in the long run it is easier." Union City Radio is supported by UnionPlus, which provides unique products and discounts for working families. Check them out at unionplus.org!
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This year Juneteenth coincides with an important date for the Compass cafeteria workers at the World Bank. These workers have fought for a union for months and will vote tomorrow. UNITE HERE Local 23 and supporters joined the workers yesterday afternoon for a “Juneteenth Independence Day standout to show these workers that they are not fighting alone and to encourage them to exercise their right to vote.”
On today’s labor calendar, rampant corporate environmental hooliganism, labor exploitation, and union-busting by one of the nation’s largest meat producers are the topic tonight as author Lynn Waltz and Smithfield organizer Gene Bruskin discuss Waltz’ new book “Hog Wild: The Battle for Workers’ Rights at the World’s Largest Slaughterhouse” tonight at 6pm at the Takoma Busboys and Poets; free but RSVP at dclabor.org, click on Calendar. Here’s today's labor history: On this date in 1937, the Women’s Day Massacre took place in Youngstown, Ohio, when police used tear gas on the women and children, including at least one infant in his mother's arms, during a strike at Republic Steel. Find out more on our Labor History Today podcast, available on your favorite podcast app; just search for Union City Radio. Today’s labor quote is by a union organizer who witnessed the 1937 Women’s Day Massacre, who said: "When I got there I thought the Great War had started over again. Gas was flying all over the place and shots flying and flares going up and it was the first time I had ever seen anything like it in my life..." Union City Radio is supported by UnionPlus, which provides unique products and discounts for working families. Check them out at unionplus.org! With the strike by Didlake workers now in its its fourth week, NoVA Labor president Ginny Diamond is urging supporters to “stop by to shake a hand, bring a donut, and stand with these workers.” Picketing continues weekdays from 6:30a to 11a in Arlington; details at dclabor.org, click on Calendar.
And after nearly a year of negotiations, AFSCME 1072 union members on the UMD College Park campus recently voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new contract. “We’re plumbers, office workers, and housekeepers facing off against highly paid administrators and lawyers,” Local 1072 president Dawn Jackson told Union City. “A small group of people can make these tremendous changes.” On today’s labor calendar, there’s a rally for the World Bank cafeteria workers organizing drive at 2 pm this afternoon; Richard Trumka and Robert Kuttner will discuss Kuttner’s bestselling book, “Can Democracy Survive Global Capitalism?” at 4pm at the AFL-CIO; and the last Metro Washington Council Delegate meeting before the summer break is tonight at 6:30, also at the AFL-CIO. For all the latest local labor events, go to dclabor.org and click on Calendar. Here’s today's labor history: On this date in 1941, union and civil rights leader A. Philip Randolph and others met with President Franklin Roosevelt about a proposed July 1 March on Washington to protest discrimination in war industries. A week later, Roosevelt ordered that the industries desegregate. Find out more on our Labor History Today podcast, available on your favorite podcast app; just search for Union City Radio. Today’s labor quote is by A. Phillip Randolph, who said: “Nothing counts but pressure, pressure, more pressure, and still more pressure through broad organized aggressive mass action.” Union City Radio is supported by UnionPlus, which provides unique products and discounts for working families. Check them out at unionplus.org! The Federal Workers Alliance on Wednesday sued the Trump administration for violating the rights of government workers. The Alliance is a coalition of 13 unions representing 300,000 federal workers. On May 25, president Trump signed three executive orders that the Alliance contends violated the due process and collective bargaining rights of workers employed by the federal government.
On this weekend’s labor calendar, the Takoma Park Folk Festival this Saturday will feature performances by singer-songwriters focusing on labor and other social justice issues. Details are on our website, dclabor.org, click on Calendar. Here’s Pam Parker singing “Bread and Roses”: (click above for audio clip) For the latest local labor news and calendar, go to dclabor.org and click on Calendar. Here’s today's labor history: the Battle of Century City took place on this date in 1990, as police in Los Angeles attacked some 500 janitors and their supporters during a peaceful Service Employees International Union demonstration. Today’s labor quote is by Paul Shearon, secretary treasurer of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, reacting to president Trump’s recent Executive Orders: Paul Shearon, who said: “This is a democracy and not a monarchy with a king who can unilaterally eliminate the rights of Congress and federal workers.” Union City Radio is supported by UnionPlus, which provides unique products and discounts for working families. Check them out at unionplus.org! |
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