Happy New Year!

News: There’s still time to sign up for the Community Services Agency’s bowling tournament, coming up January 25. The fun event benefits CSA’s Emergency Assistance Fund, which helps local needy families. 
Join a team or form your own! Go to dclabor.org and click on Community Services for details and to register.

Here’s today’s labor history:
On this date in 1931, sixty thousand unemployed workers rallied at a Pittsburgh stadium.
In 1969, United Mine Workers reformer Joseph "Jock" Yablonski, his wife and daughter were murdered by hit men hired by union president Tony Boyle, who was to be convicted of the crime and eventually die in prison.

Today’s labor quote is by Murray Finley:
I believe in building a better world – not just a better house or more material things for myself – but to better people’s lives. And I believe trade unions are necessary to preserve the American way of life. I don’t think we can have a free democratic society without a free democratic labor movement.
Murray Finley was president of the Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union from 1976 to 1987; he led the final, innovative campaign that forced the J. P. Stevens Company to accept union contracts in 1980.

News: Cartoonist Barry Deutsch’s great comic, “Ten Reasons We’re Against Unions” was one of the most popular posts on the AFL-CIO’s blog in 2014. The comic pokes gentle fun at common arguments against unions. One panel shows a worker asking “other than weekends, lunch breaks, overtime pay, parental leave, pension plans, higher wages, and sick leave, what good have unions ever done?” In another panel, a worker says “Who’d want more power at work?” Check it out at aflcio.org/Blog

Here’s today’s labor history:
On this date in 1875, women weavers formed a union in Fall River, Massachusetts.  
In 1920, John L. Lewis was elected president of the United Mine Workers. Fifteen years later he became a leader in the formation of what was to become the Congress of Industrial Organizations, or CIO.
In 1966, members of the Transport Workers Union and Amalgamated Transit Union working for the New York City transit system began a successful 12-day strike.

Today’s labor quote is by John L. Lewis:
I am an American, free born, with all the pride of my heritage. I love my country with its institutions and traditions.  With Abraham Lincoln, I thank God that we have a country where men may strike. May the power of my government never be used to throttle or crush the efforts of the toilers to improve their material welfare and elevate the standard of their citizenship.

News: Trash haulers serving routes across Montgomery County and southern Howard County went on strike at 5 a.m. last Friday. They called on their employer, Unity Disposal, to negotiate a fair contract. “We work hard and we provide a vital public service,” said Unity driver Martin Puesan. “Yet too many of us struggle to provide for our families on what Unity pays us. These should not be poverty-level jobs.” Unity employees voted to form a union with Laborers’ Union Local 657 more than 9 months ago; negotiations over a first contract have stalled. Supporters are urged to call Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett’s office at 240-205-7176 and ask him to call on Unity to negotiate a fair contract.

Here’s today’s labor history:
On this date in 1899, 33 railroad clerks gathered in the back room of Behrens’ cigar shop in Sedalia, Missouri to form Local Lodge Number 1 of a union they named the Order of the Railroad Clerks of America. 
In 1905, Idaho Governor Frank Steunenberg, who had brutally suppressed the state’s miners, was killed by an assassin's bomb. Legendary Western Federation of Miners and IWW leader Big Bill Haywood and two other men were put on trial for the death but were ultimately declared innocent .
And in 1936, the GM sit-down strike spread to Flint, Michigan; it would last 44 days before ending in union victory.

Today’s labor quote is by IWW leader William "Big Bill" Haywood:
”If the workers are organized, all they have to do is to put their hands in their pockets and they have got the capitalist class whipped."

Free classes for union and agency reps in the DC public sector are available at the 2015 Second Tuesdays at PERB series. Taught by John Higgins, former member and acting General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board and Adjunct Lecturer in Labor Law at Catholic University, the series includes topics like Unfair Labor Practices, Arbitration Review Requests and Conducting Elections. Check out the 2015 schedule by going to dclabor.org and clicking on calendar. Space is limited and early registration is encouraged.

Here’s today’s labor history:
On this date in 1970, after years of intensive lobbying by the labor movement, a comprehensive national safety law was enacted as President Richard Nixon signed the Occupational Safety & Health Act, creating the Occupational Safety & Health Administration, or OSHA.

And in 2006, more than 15,000 United Steel Workers who worked at 16 Goodyear Tire & Rubber plants ended an 86-day strike, ratifying a three-year contract.

Today’s labor quote is by populist Jim Hightower:
“The good news is that out in the countryside, just about every place that's got a zip code has somebody or some group of people battling the economic and political exclusion that Wall Street and Washington are shoving down our throats.”

It’s a quiet week in the local labor movement, but you can always check out our website for the latest local labor news, go to dclabor.org

Here’s today’s labor history:
On this date in 1869, the Knights of Labor was founded. Its constitution bars from membership “parasites,” including stockbrokers and lawyers.  

And in 1877, the Workingmen’s Party was reorganized as the Socialist Labor Party.

Today’s labor quote is by Helen Keller:
The few own the many because they possess the means of livelihood of all...The country is governed for the richest, for the corporations, the bankers, the land speculators, and for the exploiters of labor. The majority of mankind are working people. So long as their fair demands -- the ownership and control of their livelihoods -- are set at naught, we can have neither men's rights nor women's rights. The majority of mankind is ground down by industrial oppression in order that the small remnant may live in ease.
American author, political activist, and lecturer Helen Keller was a member of the Socialist Party of America who campaigned for women's suffrage, labor rights and socialism.

Here’s some News You Can Use from the Metro Council’s Community Services Agency: Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, most women now have coverage for well-women visits, without additional costs like co-pays and deductibles. The National Women's Law Center has resources and information to help you learn more about this critical benefit and also to get the word out about the no-cost well-woman visit. Check out their consumer-friendly guides, available in English and Spanish at NWLC.ORG.

Here’s today’s labor history:
On this date in 1910, a bomb destroyed a portion of the Llewellyn Ironworks in Los Angeles, where a bitter strike was in progress.

And in 1967, fourteen servicemen from military bases across the United States, led by Private Andrew Stapp, formed the American Servicemen’s Union. The union, which never came close to being recognized by the government, in its heyday during the Viet Nam war claimed tens of thousands of members and had chapters at bases, on ships and in Viet Nam. American Servicemen’s Union demands included the right to elect officers.

Today’s labor quote is by Graef Crystal:
Plato told Aristotle no one should make more than five times the pay of the lowest member of society. J.P. Morgan said 20 times. Jesus advocated a negative differential -- that's why they killed him.
Graef Crystal is an expert on executive compensation who worked for twenty years at the consulting firm Towers Perrin, and also taught at the Haas School of Business.

After two long days of intense negotiating late last week, IATSE Local 22 reached a tentative agreement with the National Theatre.  “The lines of trade unionism were held and we were able to negotiate an 8.25% increase over a 3-year period while preserving our longstanding core conditions,” reported Local 22 President Chuck Clay. The deal is subject to ratification by Local 22’s membership.

Here’s today’s labor history:
On this date in 1913, seventy-two copper miners’ children died in a panic caused by a company stooge in Calumet, Michigan who shouted “fire” into a crowded hall where the children had gathered.  They were crushed against closed doors when they tried to flee.

Today’s labor quote is by Confucious:
Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.

NEWS: Although Newspaper Guild Local 32035 calls the Washington Post’s recent 1 percent raise proposal “parsimonious,” the local says it’s “a decent start to the conversation.” The Post's latest contract offers include a second-year lump sum and are conditional on the Guild accepting a suite of take-backs. The Guild has scheduled a noontime rally for Tuesday, January 13. 

Here’s today’s labor history:
On this date in 1919, amid a widespread strike for union recognition by nearly 400,000 steelworkers, hundreds of alleged “anarchists,” “communists,” and “labor agitators” were deported to Russia, marking the beginning of the so-called “Red Scare.”

And on this date in 1998, Chico Mendes – rubber tapper, trade union leader, and environmental activist – was assassinated by a rancher.  Mendes fought to preserve the Amazon rainforest and advocated for the rights of Brazilian peasants and indigenous peoples.  Mendes was the nineteenth rural activist murdered that year in Brazil.

Today’s labor quote is by Chico Mendes:
“At first I thought I was fighting to save rubber trees, then I thought I was fighting to save the Amazon rainforest.
Now I realize I am fighting for humanity.”

Thousands of nurses at Washington Hospital Center walked out on strike yesterday to demand that MedStar address patient safety at the hospital. The nurses – members of National Nurses United -- have been raising serious concerns about safe staffing and clinical practices but Washington Hospital Center RN Mindy Blandon says “we have received no serious response from hospital executives.”
The nurses – joined by local labor, community and religious allies -- picketed and rallied in the freezing rain, saying they’re fed up with being ignored, and insisting that patients’ lives are at stake. They staged the 24-hour strike to try to force hospital managers to negotiate about issues of health, safety, and equity.
The nurses plan to return to work this morning, even though the hospital has threatened to lock them out for an additional nine days.
Go to dclabor.org to see a short video and sign a petition to show your support.

Here’s today’s labor history: 
On this date in 1908, officers of the American Federation of Labor were found in contempt of court for urging a labor boycott of Buck's Stove and Range Company in St Louis, where the Metal Polishers were striking for a 9-hour day.

And in 1970, construction workers topped out the North Tower of the World Trade Center at 1,368 feet, making it the tallest building in the world.

Today’s labor quote is an old African proverb:
If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with others.

NEWS: DC fire fighters won a significant victory last week when the DC Court of Appeals ruled in their favor in a long-running dispute over overtime. The Court affirmed Local 36's position that DC fire fighters should receive overtime after 42 hours of work in a week, as negotiated in their contract.

And today’s the deadline for contributions to the Community Services Agency’s Labor’s Holiday Basket project.
Non-perishable goods, gift cards or cash will go directly to help area working families in need during the holidays; contact Kathleen McKirchy at 202-974-8221 or check out CSA’s page on the dclabor.org website for details.

Here’s today’s labor history:
On this date in 1907, an explosion in the Darr Mine in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania killed 239 coal miners. Seventy-one of the dead share a common grave in Olive Branch Cemetery. December 1907 was the worst month in U.S. coal mining history, with more than 3,000 dead.

And on this date in 1983, the 47-day strike at Greyhound Bus Lines ended with members of the Amalgamated Transit Union accepting a new contract containing deep cuts in wages and benefits. Striker Ray Phillips died during the strike, run over on a picket line by a scab Greyhound trainee.

Today’s labor quote is by Criss Jami: 
“Every job from the heart is, ultimately, of equal value. The nurse injects the syringe; the writer slides the pen;
the farmer plows the dirt; the comedian draws the laughter. Monetary income is the perfect deceiver of a man's true worth.”
Criss Jami is a poet, singer, essayist and existentialist philosopher.