Big business is using the coronavirus pandemic crisis as a cover for its real goal of protecting itself against all worker and consumer lawsuits on health and safety, all the time. That’s according to experts who spoke at an American Constitution Society seminar on May 19.
Here’s how it works. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says any new economic stimulus bill must include language preventing workers and consumers from suing if they catch the coronavirus on the firms’ premises, unless the workers and consumers can prove firms violated state and federal guidelines to prevent its spread. Even if this sounds reasonable – any many don’t think it does – McConnell’s plan “is part of businesses’ pressure over time to avoid the law” and all lawsuits, according to Georgetown University law professor Heidi Li Feldman. Reading from a glossy brochure the Chamber of Commerce sent to all senators, Feldman added that the business groups “are also asking for immunity from other legal avenues” workers can currently take to battle back against irresponsible bosses. Tune in at 1 o’clock this afternoon when Rebecca Dixon of the National Employment Law Project will discuss this issue on this week’s edition of Your Rights At Work here on WPFW. In today’s labor history, on this date in 2004, nearly 100,000 unionized SBC Communications workers began a four-day strike to protest the local phone giant’s latest contract offer. Today’s labor quote is by Emma Goldman; Italian activists and anarchists Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti, widely believed to have been framed for murder, went on trial on this date in 1921. They were eventually executed as part of a government campaign against dissidents. Emma Goldman, who said: “Vanzetti was right when he declared that his execution was his greatest triumph, for all through history it has been the martyrs of progress that have ultimately triumphed. Where are the Caesars and Torquemadas of yesterday? Who remembers the names of the judges who condemned Giordano Bruno and John Brown? The Parsons and the Ferrers, the Saccos and Vanzettis live eternal and their spirits still march on.” Union City Radio is supported by our friends at Union Plus. AFSCME member Sherri Miller lucked out when she discovered the union-owned Union Plus Mortgage Company in the middle of her home search last year. As a first-time homebuyer, she felt she was in good hands with their thoughtful customer service and special union member benefits, including hardship mortgage assistance. "I've been telling everybody about Union Plus Mortgage Company," she says. You can find out more at unionplus.org And of course, please be sure to support WPFW during our Spring Pledge Drive; call 202-588-9739 or 1-800-222-9739. You can also pledge online at wpfwfm.org -- click on Donate Now -- you can now give by using WPFW's CashApp account, just search for $WPFW. Thanks very much!
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DC’s call-in show about worker rights: those you have, those you don’t, how to get them and how to use them.
Hosted by Chris Garlock and Ed Smith This week's guests: REBECCA DIXON, Executive Director, National Employment Law Project, on how big biz is using coronavirus as an excuse to get permanent protection from all worker lawsuits LYNN BERNABEI, lawyer, Bernabei & Kabat, on MedStar employee fired for tweeting about hospital’s lack of coronavirus safety precautions DAMON SILVERS, Director of policy and special counsel for the AFL-CIO: AFL-CIO sues feds over coronavirus workplace safety Music: “We Just Come to Work Here” Artist: Ben Grosscup; original lyrics by Harry Stamper; new lyrics by Paul McKenna Spring pledge drive: give us a call at 202-588-9739 or 1-800-222-9739 or online at wpfwfm.org, click on Donate Now Produced by Chris Garlock; engineering by Jerry Paris Months into the coronavirus pandemic, healthcare unions are continuing to work with members, elected officials, employers, and manufacturers to get healthcare workers the PPE, crisis pay, and support they need to get through this pandemic.
“But we can't win PPE, crisis pay, and testing without you!” says 1199SEIU. As Congress considers a new coronavirus bill, the union urges calls – 844-898-1199 -- to tell Congress to “Fund the Front Lines!” We’ve got a link for a script and tips on the issue in both English and Spanish on our website at dclabor.org. In today’s labor history, on this date in 1926, the Railway Labor Act took effect. It was the first federal legislation protecting workers’ rights to form unions. Today’s labor quote is by sociologist Charles Horton Cooley, who said: “One of the great reasons for the popularity of strikes is that they give the suppressed self a sense of power. For once, the human tool knows itself a man, able to stand up and speak a word or strike a blow.” Union City Radio is supported by our friends at Union Plus. They’ve got a ton of great resources for union members on their website – unionplus.org – from Financial Strategies for Challenging Times, to Union Plus Job Loss Grant, Union Plus Hardship Benefits, and details on how to complete your bachelor's degree for FREE when you enroll by June 22. All that and more at unionplus.org And of course, please be sure to support WPFW during our Spring Pledge Drive; call 202-588-9739 or 1-800-222-9739. You can also pledge online at wpfwfm.org -- click on Donate Now -- you can now give by using WPFW's CashApp account, just search for $WPFW. Thanks very much! County employees and community groups staged a car parade and walking protest past County Councilmember Hans Reimer’s Takoma Park home on Saturday to show their displeasure with Reimer and five of his fellow councilmembers’ votes last week against funding revised contracts with the three county unions.
In organizing news, Signature Theater workers, in what their union called “an overwhelming display of solidarity” have voted to join IATSE Local 22, which will now begin negotiations for a first contract. In today’s labor history, on this date in 1920, striking union miners, led by Police Chief Sid Hatfield, had a shootout with coal company agents in Matewan, West Virginia; ten died, including seven agents. John Sayles based his 1987 film “Matewan” on this incident. Today’s labor quote is by actor and comedian Jerry Stiller, who died last week at 92. Jerry Stiller, who said “I’ve never thought of stopping. The only time you ever stop working is when they don’t call you.” Union City Radio is supported by our friends at Union Plus. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, many families are being hit with increased financial burdens. For those struggling with their credit, the Union Plus Credit Counseling program is still operating online and over the phone. Visit unionplus.org/creditcounseling to find out more. Please be sure to support WPFW during our Spring Pledge Drive; call 202-588-9739 or 1-800-222-9739 or pledge online at wpfwfm.org, click on Donate Now. Thanks very much! |
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