House Speaker John Boehner's surprise retirement announcement last Friday "has muddled an already confusing situation," regarding the possibility of another government shutdown, reports AFSCME Council 26 Executive Director Carl Goldman. "Some experts and many in the media are saying that Boehner's action makes it less likely that a shutdown will occur, while others are saying the opposite.” Goldman notes that ”Even many of the more optimistic commentators acknowledge that a shutdown could still happen in the coming weeks and months. The truth is that no one knows for sure." What is clear is that the unions representing federal workers are actively preparing for a shutdown as early as October 1. "We are engaging in legislative action, preparing leaflets, expanding our communications network, preparing public actions and getting ready to engage the media," Goldman said. "Anyone who was around during the last shutdown knows what we are capable of doing."
For the latest local labor events, go to dclabor.org and click on calendar. Here’s today’s labor history: On this date in 1931, 400 coal miners marched through the streets of Estevan, Saskatchewan, with their wives and children. The miners were striking over union recognition, hours of work, wages, and working and living conditions. When they refused to disperse, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police shot and killed one of the workers and a battle ensued that resulted in three men dead and a number of others seriously injured. Today’s labor quote is by J. David Cox Sr., President of the American Federation of Government Employees: “Doctors will tell you that the best cure for any disease is prevention. This shutdown is a disease that is threatening to infect the American people. But it’s entirely preventable. All Congress needs to do is pass a budget to keep the government open.”
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