Bonita Williams wanted to buy her grandchildren a bike for Christmas. But now the janitor who sweeps floors and scrubs bathrooms at the State Department worries she won’t be able to pay her rent because of the Trump shutdown. “My supervisor told me we won’t be getting paid,” she told the Washington Post, “so my bills won’t be getting paid.” Bonita is one of roughly 2,000 janitors, security guards and other federal building workers who stand to lose wages this holiday season after funding ran dry for a number of agencies, according to 32BJ SEIU, a labor union that represents 163,000 of them on the East Coast. Bonita’s grandchildren got that bike after all, thanks to the generosity of folks who read about her plight in the Post, but as the shutdown continues, she and thousands of other federal workers are still worried about making their rent, car and life insurance payments on top of keeping food on the table. On today’s labor calendar, tune in today at 1pm when I’ll be hosting a special edition of “Your Rights At Work” focusing on the Trump Shutdown. My guests will include workers affected by the shutdown, including Bonita Williams. Plus American Prospect editor Harold Meyerson and your calls. That’s today starting at 1pm here on WPFW 89.3 FM. In today’s labor history, on this date in 1952, country music legend Hank Williams attended what would be his last musicians’ union meeting, at the Elite (“E-light”) café in Montgomery, Alabama. He died of apparent heart failure three days later in the back seat of a car driving north; he was just 29. Today’s labor quote is by Hank Williams’ grandson, Shelton Hank Williams, from his song “Workin’ Man”: I woke up this mornin', kissed my wife goodbye I pray to god that i'll make it home safe tonight It's a dangerous job but i take that risk I'll trade my blood and sweat just to feed my kids I've been working for the man since a tender age Now a rich politician wants to lower my wage Pour me a drink so i can understand These are the struggles of a working man Union City Radio is supported by Union Plus, which offers special rebates for union members shopping for a new car or truck this holiday season. Visit unionplus.org to find out more.
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