Graduate employees at Georgetown University planted 800 blue yard flags in Red Square last Thursday, after the school refused to recognize their labor union.
The flags represented every graduate worker at the university who has been denied their rights. “Georgetown does not get to decide whether we have a union or not—we do,” said Hailey Huget, a member of the Georgetown Alliance of Graduate Employees, affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers. AFT president Randi Weingarten joined the rally, saying “The grad workers and the Georgetown community are rising up, and we will have their backs every step of the way in their fight.” For this week’s labor events, go to dclabor.org, and click on calendar. Here’s today's labor history: On this date in 1886, a small group of Black farmers organized the Colored Farmers’ National Alliance and Cooperative Union in Houston County, Texas. They had been barred from membership in the all-White Southern Farmers’ Alliance. Through intensive organizing, along with merging with another Black farmers group, the renamed Colored Alliance by 1891 claimed a membership of 1.2 million. Today’s labor quote is by Mark Twain, who said: “It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.” Union City Radio is supported by UnionPlus, which provides unique products and discounts for working families. This week, you can get a discounted subscription to the digital edition of Consumer Reports and get the most value for your money on your holiday purchases, big and small. Details at unionplus.org
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State workers in Maryland deserve raises, an arbitrator recommended recently. AFSCME Maryland, which represents the workers, pointed out that while Maryland ranks fifth in personal income nationwide, it's 29th in state employee pay raises, contributing to short staffing, low pay and Maryland’s difficulty in employee recruitment and retention.
"Our next step is to convince the Governor and the General Assembly to adopt the recommendations," the union says. "We need to bring the victory all the way home!" For the latest labor events, go to dclabor.org, and click on Calendar. Here’s today's labor history: On this date in 1886, twenty-five unions founded the American Federation of Labor in Columbus, Ohio; Cigarmaker’s union leader Samuel Gompers was elected president. Today’s labor quote is from the preamble to the American Federation of Labor’s founding document, which reads: “A struggle is going on in all of the civilized world between oppressors and oppressed of all countries, between capitalist and laborer...” Union City Radio is supported by UnionPlus, which provides unique products and discounts for working families. This week, hit the road for the holidays with special Union Plus savings from Budget. Check them out at unionplus.org! Students and union workers represented by AFSCME Local 1072 unfurled two banners during a rally at the University of Maryland College Park campus last Friday, demanding higher pay and an end to parking fees.
The union has also proposed protections for LGBTQ workers, making the University a sanctuary campus, and ensuring the campus is accessible to people with disabilities. Though the administration has refused to bargain around some of these proposals, union activists argue that the contract should not apply exclusively to bargaining unit employees. “Many of the social issues that students are concerned about in today's climate are ones that employees of the university are equally concerned with,” said Todd Holden, a member of the union’s bargaining team. There are two union rallies on today's labor calendar: the first, a Rally Against Privatization of Metro starts at 9:15 this morning in Lorton, Virginia; the second is at 11a at DC City Hall, where United Medical Center nurses and their supporters will rally for a contract. Complete details on both rallies are on our website, dclabor.org, click on Calendar. Here’s today's labor history: On this date in 2009, National Nurses United was founded, the largest union and professional organization of registered nurses in U.S. history. Today’s labor quote is by Heywood Broun, the co-founder of The Newspaper Guild, born on this date in 1888. Heywood Broun, who said: “Brotherhood is not just a Bible word. Out of comradeship can come and will come the happy life for all." Union City Radio is supported by UnionPlus, which provides unique products and discounts for working families. This week, hit the road for the holidays with special Union Plus savings from Budget. Check them out at unionplus.org! Hosts: Chris Garlock, with Ed Smith
Chris/Ed discuss: DCNA rally at DC Council - Mayor Bowser has not submitted the DCNA/United Medical Center contract to the DC Council nor has the Mayor sought funding approval. Contract awarded by Arbitration on June 8th and DC law requires mayor to submit with funding request within 60 days. Mayor’s failure to send our contract to the DC Council is not only a naked violation of DC law governing the negotiating process, it also serves to compound problems at the already troubled hospital. Ed can describe rally – attended by numerous labor organizations, Jews United for Justice, MLC, AFL-CIO. Guests: Council member Vincent Gray (Ward 7) on DC Mayor Muriel Bowser's failure to submit the DCNA/United Medical Center contract to the DC Council as required by law. Betty Holman RN at UMC; former president of DCNA's local unit; recently laid off as a result of closure of labor and delivery unit at UMC. Elizabeth Falcon, DC Jobs with Justice, on the Demand Worker Justice at the Line Hotel rally next Weds, 12/13, 8:30a, 1770 Euclid St NW, Washington, DC. Mark Torres; author of "Good Guy Jake" children's book. For years sanitation worker Jake has repaired and painted broken toys he pulled from the trash on his rounds and given to the children in the local shelter at Christmas. But when an angry motorist turns Jake in to the sanitation company, Jake is fired for breaking city regulations. His union takes the case to arbitration. There, the union brings in a crowd of children, who show the judge the toys Jake gave them and testify that the gifts taught them the true spirit of the holidays. The judge reinstates Jake, and the union announces they will organize a city-wide toy collection for all the children in all the shelters: the Good Guy Jake Toy Drive. Labor Song: United Nurses Association (UNA) theme song United Nurses Association (UNA), is a professional association of registered nurses in the state of Kerala in India. It was founded on November 2011; A direct reason for the formation of this association is traced back to the death of Beena Baby, a Registered Nurse, who committed suicide due to staff bullying in private hospital and illegal management norms management |
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