Fight for $15 coalition members urged Montgomery County Council members on Tuesday night to raise the county’s minimum wage and exclude amendments that would weaken the bill, which is supported by five councilmembers. The coalition is looking for a sixth vote to give them a veto-proof majority.

Despite unseasonably warm temperatures and a blazing noonday sun that ratcheted up the heat even more, nearly 100 News Guild union members and their supporters turned out for a spirited picket line Wednesday in front of the Washington Post on K Street. The union’s trademark balloons floated gaily above picket signs as chants rang out, demanding a contract.

Complete details on both these stories – plus photos – on our website at dclabor.org

Here’s today's labor history:
On this date in 2010, tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of Europe, striking against government austerity measures. Workers in more than a dozen countries participated, protesting job losses, retirement deferments, pension reductions, and cuts to schools, hospitals, and welfare services.

Today’s labor quote is by Mother Jones, who said:
“No matter what the fight, don't be ladylike! God almighty made women and the Rockefeller gang of thieves made the ladies.”

​Union City Radio is supported by UnionPlus, which is committed to improving the quality of life for all working families; find out more at unionplus.org.

Hosts: Chris Garlock, with Ed Smith
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Guests: 
Liz Davis (in-studio, at right), WTU Local 6 president, on the teachers new contract and workplace issues affecting teachers and the community.
Valerie Ervin, Working Families Party and Fight for $15 Coalition, on the Montgomery County $15/hr bill hearing held on Tuesday.

1:30 Labor Song: Wake Up Everybody John Legend, The Roots, ft. Melanie Fiona, Common 

CREDITS: engineered by Robin “Smitty” Smith; Union City Radio is supported by UnionPlus. UnionPlus is committed to improving the quality of life of working families. Find out more at unionplus.org. And we’re supported by you, our listeners: call 202-588-9739 or 1-800-222-9739 or pledge online at wpfwfm.org.

Electrical Workers Local 26 celebrated its 125th anniversary at a gala event last Saturday at the MGM National Harbor. In 1892, the year Local 26 got its charter, Washington, D.C. was comprised of dirt roads, cow pastures, and only a few of the monuments that stand today. By 1894, Local 26 members had set the U. S. Capitol ablaze with lights for the first time in history. Find out more about Local 26 on their website, ibewlocal26.org, click on “About Us”

Here’s today's labor history:
On this date in 1864, the International Workingmen’s Association was founded in London. It was an international organization trying to unite a variety of different left-wing, socialist, communist and anarchist political groups and unions. It functioned for about 12 years, growing to a membership declared to be eight million, before being disbanded at its Philadelphia conference in 1876, victim of infighting brought on by the wide variety of members’ philosophies.
 
Today’s labor quote is by trade unionist George Odger, who co-founded the International Workingmen's Association. George Odger, who said:
"Whenever working men of one country are sufficiently well organized to demand higher wages or shorter hours, they are met by the threat of the employer to hire cheaper foreign labor, and this evil can only be removed by the international organization of the working class."
 
Union City Radio is supported by UnionPlus, which is committed to improving the quality of life for all working families; find out more at unionplus.org.

"No man or woman should ever have to choose a job that forces them to surrender their rights," said DeMaurice Smith, Executive Director of the National Football League Players Association earlier this week. Smith was responding to President Donald Trump's attacks on player protests.  
"Those opinions are protected speech and a freedom that has been paid for by the sacrifice of men and women throughout history," said Smith, adding that "the line that marks the balance between the rights of every citizen in our great country gets crossed when someone is told to just 'shut up and play.'"  

​On today's labor calendar, walk the line at 12:30pm today with Washington Post union members as they conduct informational picketing at the Post in support of ongoing contract negotiations. Full details on our website, dclabor.org, click on Calendar. 

​Here’s today's labor history:
On this date in 1893, The International Typographical Union renewed a strike against the Los Angeles Times. Although the ITU kept up the fight into the 1920s, the Times remained totally nonunion until 2009, when the GCIU organized the pressroom. 

Today’s labor quote is by Clara Lemlich, a garment worker involved in the 1909 "Uprising of the 20,000," strike against the Triangle Shirtwaist Company. Clara Lemlich, who said
"I have listened to all the speakers, and I have no further patience for talk. I am a working girl, one of those striking against intolerable conditions. I am tired of listening to speakers who talk in generalities. What we are here for is to decide whether or not to strike. I make a motion that we go out in a general strike." 

Union City Radio is supported by UnionPlus, which is committed to improving the quality of life for all working families; find out more at unionplus.org.

Staffers at M+R voted overwhelmingly last Wednesday to join the Washington-Baltimore News Guild. The firm works primarily with labor unions and other non-profits.

​AT&T Mobility workers continue to battle for a fair contract. A group of them recently briefed members of Congress on their dispute. "We asked them to call [AT&T CEO] Randall Stephenson or send him a letter to ask them to come back to the bargaining table," said Jeff Schmidt, an AT&T retail sales consultant in Fairfax, Virginia.

Here’s today's labor history:
On this date in 1903, The Old 97, a Southern Railway train officially known as the Fast Mail, derailed near Danville, Virginia, killing engineer “Steve” Broady and ten other railroad and postal workers. Many believe Broady had been ordered to speed to make up for lost time. The Wreck of the Old 97 inspired balladeers; a 1924 recording is sometimes cited as the first million-selling country music record.

Today’s labor quote is from Johnny Cash’s version of “Wreck of the Old 97”:
“They gave him his orders at Monroe Virginia
Said Steve you’re way behind time
This is not the 38 this is ‘ol 97
You must put her into Spencer on time”

Union City Radio is supported by UnionPlus, which is committed to improving the quality of life for all working families; find out more at unionplus.org.

"Isn’t it weird that someone who could contend for the title of America’s Greatest Union Buster will be inducted into the Labor Department’s Hall of Honor?"
That’s the excellent question Washington Post columnist Joe Davidson asked in his September 19 column headlined "Induction of union-busting Reagan into Labor’s Hall of Honor shocks union," referencing AFGE 12's letter to Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta urging him to reconsider adding Reagan to the Hall of Honor (reported previously here on Union City Radio).

Here’s today's labor history:
On this date in 1891, two African-American sharecroppers were killed during an ultimately unsuccessful cotton-pickers’ strike in Lee County, Arkansas. By the time the strike had been suppressed, 15 African-Americans had died and another six had been imprisoned. A white plantation manager was killed as well.

​Today’s labor quote is by Joe Davidson, the Washington Post columnist who wrote:
"Bayard Rustin, Dolores Huerta, the pioneers of the farmworker movement and the workers of the Memphis sanitation strike also are on the (Labor Hall of Honor) list of labor heroes and heroines. As a labor leader, Reagan was not in their league."

Union City Radio is supported by UnionPlus, which is committed to improving the quality of life for all working families; find out more at unionplus.org.

Jennifer Bryant and Chris Garlock host.

Guests:
Benjamin Scott Blake (in-studio) on “For Justice, Liberty, and Equality: Unions Making History in America,” new labor history exhibit at UMD College Park

Aldo Bellow on Films Across Borders series October 8 through December 12. Showcasing international tales of courage, hope, and determination, this careful selection of documentary and dramatic films will captivate you with stories of immigrants and refugees struggling to find a place to call home.

Alan Paul, Director, The Pajama Game at Arena Stage. Runs October 27-December 24, with a special Labor Night – including after-show Talk Back with the cast – on December 13; click here for tickets.  

In a victory for patients and staff at Maryland’s correctional institutions, the Maryland Department of Health is adding 40 beds at mental health facilities to treat patients wrongfully held in jails. The move came after AFSCME Maryland held a news conference Tuesday morning condemning Governor Larry Hogan for a shortage of beds for mentally ill patients. “The fight isn't over yet,” said AFSCME Maryland president Patrick Moran. “We will continue to pressure Governor Hogan and the health department to fill vacancies in these facilities, ensuring there are enough workers on staff to care for mental health patients.” 

On today's labor calendar, tune in at 9am this morning here on WPFW for a special Fall Labor Arts Preview edition of Arise! Guests will discuss a new labor history exhibit, a film series about immigration, and more.  

Here’s today's labor history:
On this date in 1910, eighteen-year-old Annie Shapiro led a spontaneous walkout of 17 women at a Hart Schaffner & Marx garment factory in Chicago. It grew into a months-long mass strike involving 40,000 garment workers across the city, protesting 10-hour days, bullying bosses and cuts in already-low wages.  

Today’s labor quote is by Edmund Burke, who said:
“When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle.”

Union City Radio is supported by UnionPlus, which is committed to improving the quality of life for all working families; find out more at unionplus.org.

Hosts: Chris Garlock, with Ed Smith
JOIN US AT 202-588-0893
Also, if you miss our live show – or want to hear a past show – Your Rights At Work is now available as a podcast! Just search for Union City Radio on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts; subscribe and you’ll get our shows right on your phone!

Guests:
Pat Moran, AFSCME Maryland: Mental health patients need treatment. Instead, many of them are sitting in jails because of a bed shortage and staffing crisis in state hospitals.
Donna Edwards, president of the Maryland State and DC AFL-CIO: on the attacks by MD Governor Hogan on state workers.

Labor Song: Redemption Song | Playing For Change | Song Around The World

CREDITS: engineered by Mike “The Man” Nasella; Union City Radio is supported by UnionPlus. UnionPlus is committed to improving the quality of life of working families. Find out more at unionplus.org. And we’re supported by you, our listeners: call 202-588-9739 or 1-800-222-9739 or pledge online at wpfwfm.org.

It was a “good news/bad news” night at Monday’s Metro Washington Council delegate meeting, with Council affiliates reporting on a number of wins at the bargaining tables but also many ongoing struggles.
Get complete details on our website at dclabor.org

On today's labor calendar, catch this week's edition of Your Rights At Work here on WPFW from 1 to 2pm as we take your calls and talk about worker rights.

Here’s today's labor history:
On this date in 1991, members of five unions at the Frontier Hotel-Casino in Las Vegas began what was to become the longest successful hotel strike in U.S. history. All 550 workers honored the picket line for the entirety of the 6-year, 4-month, 10-day fight against management’s insistence on cutting wages and eliminating pensions. 

Today’s labor quote is by Mother Jones, who led a march of miners' children through the streets of Charleston, West Virginia on this date in 1912. Mother Jones, who said:
"If they want to hang me, let them. And on the scaffold I will shout Freedom for the working class!"

Union City Radio is supported by UnionPlus, which is committed to improving the quality of life for all working families; find out more at unionplus.org.