LiUNA LATINO CAUCUS

Please Vote for LCLAA ANDREA DELGADO for 2011 MillerCoors Líder of the Year!

2011-10-21T12:50:00.000-07:00

Dear Yanira,

As you may know, LCLAA nominated me for MillerCoors Lider of the Year and I was selected as 1 of 12 Latinos competing for a 25,000 grants for our respective organizations.

I would like to humbly request your support in helping us get the word out about this competition through your union and labor networks so that LCLAA can get votes and hopefully win the grant. If I win, the 25,000 amount would be directed to the Trabajadoras Campaign that the Board approved in Puerto Rico. Specifically, it would focus on the community outreach and education segment of the campaign so that we can hold community workshops and town halls on issues affecting Latina and immigrant women in the workplace.

The competition ends on October 31^st and people can vote for me every day at www.MillerCoorsLideres.com

To support LCLAA in this competition the AFL-CIO Latino has put out Facebook and Twitter messages encouraging people to vote for me and the Machinists recently put out a message with voting instructions on their website as well. http://www.goiam.org/index.php/headquarters/departments/womens-and-human-rights-department/9300-vote-to-help-lclaa-win-25k-grant

I have less than 10 days to get as many votes as possible and I hope to count with LIUNA’s support.

I thank you for your time and consideration of this request.

Andrea Delgado

Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA)

National Latino Coalition on Climate Change (NLCCC)

Office: 202-637-5120 • Cell: 202-230-6592 • adelgado@lclaa.org

Please vote for me for 2011 MillerCoors Líder of the Year!

If I win, LCLAA will receive a 25K grant to educate Latina and

immigrant workers about their rights in the workplace.

Vote for ANDREA DELGADO every day at:

www.MillerCoorsLideres.com & help me spread the word!

INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTE:

VOTE FOR ANDREA DELGADO TO HELP LCLAA GET A 25K GRANT TO EMPOWER LATINA WORKERS

VOTE FOR ANDREA at www.MillerCoorsLideres.com

1. GO TO www.MillerCoorsLideres.com

2. ENTER YOUR BIRTHDATE AND PRESS ENTER

3. CLICK ON THE GRAY BUTTON “VOTE FOR 2011 MILLERCOORS LIDER OF THE YEAR”

4. SELECT ANDREA DELGADO & CLICK ON THE YELLOW BUTTON TO MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT

5. VOTE MULTIPLE TIMES AND SPREAD THE WORD! VOTING ENDS ON HALLOWEEN (OCT. 31^st)

From now until October 31^st, you can vote multiple times and every day from your laptop, desktop and mobile phone and have your family, friends, and colleagues vote. The computer will tell you when you have made too many votes from one IP address but you can vote daily.

My Grand Father Ben: 2011 National Grand Prize Winning Entry

2011-06-01T11:39:00.000-07:00

From China sailed my Grandfather Ben.

He came to America when he was four plus ten.
His Guangzhou village was small and poor
And he helped his mother with farming chores.
Every morning he gathered bits of firewood
And drew water from the well as much as he could.
From morning to night he slaved like an ox.
But it was never enough to fill the rice box.
So his parents said, "You'd better leave home
And go to America where you can roam".
Until you find a great place of your own.
America, Gold Mountain, is the place to go
Big and wide, and high and low.
Everything is yes, and there are never any nos.

But here in America life was hard
And it wasn't like a birthday card.
Golden Mountain didn't have jobs
For Chinese men, and that made them sob.
From San Francisco to Saint Louis
Chances for Chinese were least to fewest.
Still his heart never gave way
Cause he knew hard work always pays.
So Grandpa Ben worked hard again.
Slaving in a laundry from five to ten.
And he lived in important USA times
Starting from cool Jazz Age crime
Right on down to the Great Depression's
Brother can you spare a dime.
Until finally his big chance came
To show American and Chinese are the same.
He joined the army in World War II
And fought in Europe for the red, white and blue.
All over he fought bringing supplies
To American soldiers on the lines.
Until one day he was shot in the back
And his jeep flipped over and he got smacked.
He didn't win any fame or medals
Just came back home to wed and settle.

Still to me he is The Greatest Hero.
Cause he never gave up and never said no.
He loved America both good and bad
And taught his 5 kids not to be sad.
Work hard, dream big, and never give up.
And one day Gold Mountain will live up
To what is written on the Statue of Liberty
Chances for all and the gift to be free.

To my Chinese Grandfather,
Whom I love and honor.

U.S. Hispanic Country of Origin Counts for Nation, Top 30 Metropolitan Areas

2011-05-26T13:46:00.001-07:00

by Mark Hugo Lopez, Associate Director, Pew Hispanic Center, and Daniel Dockterman, Research Assistant, Pew Hispanic Center

Hispanics of Mexican, Puerto Rican, and Cuban origin or descent remain the nation's three largest Hispanic country-of-origin groups, according to the 2010 U.S. Census. However, while the relative position of these three groups has remained unchanged since 2000, the next four Hispanic sub-groups grew faster during the decade.

Hispanics of Salvadoran origin, the fourth largest Hispanic country-of-origin group grew by 152% since 2000. The Dominican population grew by 85%, the Guatemalan population by 180% and the Colombian population by 93%. Meanwhile, the Cuban and Puerto Rican populations grow more slowly—44% and 36% respectively.

Despite their No. 1 status, Mexicans are not the dominant Hispanic origin group in many of the nation's metropolitan areas. Among the Miami metropolitan area's 1.5 million Hispanics, half are Cuban. In the New York-Northeastern New Jersey metropolitan area, 29.4% of Hispanics are of Puerto Rican origin and 19.7% are of Dominican origin. In the Washington, DC metropolitan area, Salvadorans are the largest group, comprising one-third of the area's Hispanics.

However, in many metropolitan areas, Mexican origin Hispanics are by far the dominant group among Hispanics. In Chicago, nearly eight-in-ten (79.2%) of the area's Hispanics are of Mexican origin. In the San Antonio, TX metropolitan area, Mexicans make up 91.3% of all Hispanics. And in Atlanta, GA, nearly six-in-ten (58.1%) Hispanics are of Mexican origin.

Country of origin is based on self-described family ancestry or place of birth in response to questions in the Census Bureau's American Community Survey and on the 2010 Census form. It is not necessarily the same as place of birth, nor is it indicative of immigrant or citizenship status. For example, a U.S. citizen born in Los Angeles of Mexican immigrant parents or grandparents may (or may not) identify his or her country of origin as Mexico. Likewise, some immigrants born in Mexico may identify another country as their origin depending on the place of birth of their ancestors.

The data for this report are derived from the 2010 U.S. Census and from the 2009 American Community Survey. The 2010 Census provides population counts for Hispanic origin sub-groups. The 2009 American Community Survey provides detailed geographic, demographic and economic characteristics for each sub-group.

Accompanying this report are national level profiles containing geographic, demographic and economic details for the ten largest Hispanic country of origin sub-groups—Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Salvadorans, Cubans, Dominicans, Guatemalans,Colombians, Hondurans, Ecuadorians and Peruvians. Alongside these demographic profiles is an interactive graphic ranking the ten Hispanic country of origin sub-groups on several characteristics. These profiles and the accompanying interactive graphic are based on the 2009 American Community Survey.

An interactive graphic showing country of origin sub-groups among Hispanics in the nation's 30 metropolitan areas with the largest Hispanic populations is also available. This interactive graphic is also based on the 2009 American Community Survey.

2011-05-02T09:56:00.000-07:00

LIUNA LATINO CAUCUS FACEBOOK WEBSITE:

CLICK HERE

American Immigration Council Hails Decision Enjoining Enforcement of Arizona's SB 1070

2011-04-12T08:08:00.000-07:00

American Immigration Council Hails Decision
Enjoining Enforcement of Arizona’s SB 1070

April 12, 2011

Washington, D.C - The American Immigration Council applauds yesterday’s decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upholding a preliminary injunction against the key provisions of Arizona’s SB 1070. As the court correctly recognized, Arizona’s misguided attempt to drive immigrants from the state interferes with the federal government’s exclusive authority to enforce immigration law, has negatively impacted U.S. foreign relations, and reflects the dangers of allowing states to enact a patchwork of conflicting regulations. The Ninth Circuit also rightly rejected Arizona’s claim that state police have “inherent authority” to enforce federal immigration laws and held that Congress intended state officers to “aid in immigration enforcement only under the close supervision of the Attorney General.”

“The Ninth Circuit’s decision does not discount the serious problems created by our broken immigration system,” said Ben Johnson, Executive Director of the American Immigration Council. “However, it confirms what members of the public have long known—that Congress, and Congress alone, has the power to regulate immigration in the United States.”

For more resources on SB 1070, see:

Legal Challenges to Arizona's SB 1070 (Legal Action Center, Litigation Issue Page)

Economic Realities of Arizona's SB 1070 (Immigration Police Center, Resource Page)

###

For press inquiries contact Wendy Sefsaf at wsefsaf@immcouncil.org or 202-507-7524

Visit our website at www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org.

Feria de Ciudadania Auspiciada por LiUNA Latino Caucus

2011-03-24T10:17:00.000-07:00

Ver Video:

http://www.ny1noticias.com//?ArID=136112

Un grupo de organizaciones está lanzando una campaña a nivel nacional para incentivar a la población latina a hacerse ciudadano de Estados Unidos y ejercer sus derechos.

La campaña fue anunciada el miércoles por el presidente del Sindicato Internacional de Trabajadores de América del Norte, LIUNA, por sus siglas en inglés.

El primer evento de la campaña será aquí en Nueva York este sábado, una feria que proveerá asesoría legal gratuita para todos los interesados.

Según representantes de LIUNA, a nivel nacional hay siete millones de latinos que cuentan con los requisitos para ser ciudadanos pero no han hecho nada al respecto. Y en la Ciudad de Nueva York, esa cifra bordea el millón de personas.

La campaña busca crear conciencia sobre la importancia de participar activamente en la política de la ciudad y el país.

La primera fecha de la llamada "Feria de la Ciudadanía" es este sábado, de 11 de la mañana a 3 de la tarde, en la escuela Reinassance, en Jackson Heights.

La atención es con cita, para lo cual se le pide llamar al teléfono 646-943-6922.

LIUNA - Spanish News Clips 9-10-10

2010-09-13T10:56:00.001-07:00

To keep abreast of coverage of LIUNA and issues important to LIUNA in the Spanish-language news media, we will be distributing a roundup of Spanish-language news coverage. Stories with a * specifically mention LIUNA. If you do not want to receive these news clips, simply let us know by replying to this email.

*Univisión - Obama lanzó nuevo plan de estimulo (Yanira Merino, LIUNA & Hilda Solís, DOL)

http://www.univision.com/content/video.jhtml?cid=2526561&channelName=Videos&_requestid=27743

*La Opinión - Sindicatos en campaña electoral (Sergio Rascón LIUNA Local 300)

http://www.impre.com/laopinion/noticias/la-california/2010/9/5/sindicatos-en-campantilde;a-el-208879-1.html#commentsBlock

* La Opinión - Una economía atascada (Sergio Rascón LIUNA Local 300)

http://www.impre.com/laopinion/noticias/primera-pagina/2010/9/7/una-economia-atascada-209229-1.html#commentsBlock

*Univisión - Sindicato Internacional de Trabajadores se reintegra a AFL-CIO

http://www.univision.com/contentroot/wirefeeds/usa/8273101.shtml

*El Mexicano - "LIUNA Construye Indiana 2010" luchará por trabajos en ciudades cercanas de Gary (Página 5) http://www.elmexicanonews.com/newspaper/september/septembernewspaper.html

Impre.com - Manos hispanas reconstruyen Zona Cero

http://www.impre.com/noticias/2010/9/10/manos-hispanas-reconstruyen-zo-209924-1.html#commentsBlock

EFE - Los latinos y la salud (El Presidente de Estados Unidos, Barack Obama, escribe esta interesante columna.)

http://www.impre.com/noticias/nacionales/2010/9/7/los-latinos-y-la-salud-209385-1.html#commentsBlock

La Opinión - Entrevista exclusiva con Presidente Obama

http://www.impre.com/laopinion/noticias/estados-unidos/2010/9/9/entrevista-exclusiva-con-presi-209735-1.html#commentsBlock

El Tiempo LV - Futuras contrataciones en EE.UU. beneficiarán a personal calificado

http://www.eltiempolv.com/articles/2010/09/10/nacional/doc4c8a807c8a221899704332.txt

La Voz Arizona - Destinan recursos para ayudar a propietarios de viviendas

http://www.lavozarizona.com/lavoz/noticias/articles/2010/09/10/20100910destinan.html

Washington Hispanic - Corte frena ley contra inmigrantes

http://www.washingtonhispanic.com/nota5297.html

El Tiempo Latino - Convocan a otra marcha en DC

http://eltiempolatino.com/ind_window/convocan.html

Washington Hispanic - CHCI le da la bienvenida al mes de herencia hispana

http://www.washingtonhispanic.com/nota5299.html

CNN - Los mineros de Chile envían a la superficie un video con su rutina

http://mexico.cnn.com/mundo/2010/09/10/los-mineros-de-chile-envian-a-la-superficie-un-video-con-su-rutina

LiUNA!

Strategic Communications

Veronica Salas / Media Liaison

905 16^th Street NW

Washington, DC 20006

202-942-2303

202-286-3395 cell

202-942-2365 fax

vsalas@liuna.org

www.liuna.org I www.LiunaBuildsAmerica.org

--
Ngullen Rivera
Chief of Staff
Laborers Local 78
30 Cliff Street, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038
(C) 917.731.8392
(F) 212.406.1800
http://www.Local78.net

LIUNA - Spanish News Clips 8-27-10

2010-08-28T15:11:00.000-07:00

*Washington Hispanic - Obreros protestan contra empresa constructora

http://www.washingtonhispanic.com/nota5182.html

*El Tiempo Latino - Trabajadores protestan contra compañía en DC

http://eltiempolatino.com/locales/trabajadores.html

*SDP (Notimex) - Exigen libertad sindical a compañía constructora en EUA

http://sdpnoticias.com/sdp/contenido/2010/08/26/4/1104297

*Washington City Paper (VIDEO) DC Concrete Workers Rally for Justice

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXUYLy99l8s

*El Día News (Indiana) - LIUNA se prepara para construir América Crear 463.000 Trabajos en Gary, Hammond y las comunidades adyacentes en Indiana

http://www.eldianews.com/?nwid=6822

*Washington Hispanic - Se reunifican dos grandes centrales de trabajadores

http://www.washingtonhispanic.com/nota5098.html

*SDP (Notimex) - Se reintegrara LIUNA a central sindical AFL-CIO en EUA

http://sdpnoticias.com/sdp/contenido/2010/08/16/4/1097921

*Noticiero Viva Vegas (VIDEO) - LCLAA Convención (John Delgado, Local 79 y Yanira Merino, LIUNA)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ORbImGLkMc

*Impre (VIDEO) - Arizona Trip (Humberto Gómez)

http://www.impre.com/multimedia/impreplayer.php?pid=1201201

*La Opinión - Quieren trabajos, y los quieren ahora (Sergio Rascón)

http://www.impre.com/laopinion/noticias/la-california/2010/8/14/quieren-trabajos--y-los-quiere-204704-1.html#commentsBlock

La Opinión (EFE) - Baja la cifra de solicitudes por desempleo

http://www.impre.com/laopinion/negocios/2010/8/27/baja-la-cifra-de-solicitudes-p-207176-1.html#commentsBlock

La Opinión (AP) - Crece el riesgo de los embargos

http://www.impre.com/laopinion/negocios/2010/8/27/crece-el-riesgo-de-los-embargo-207217-1.html#commentsBlock

Chicago Noticias - Inicia coalición campaña para aumentar voto inmigrante

http://chicagonoticias.com/?q=content/inicia-coalici%C3%B3n-campa%C3%B1-para-aumentar-voto-inmigrante

Terra Noticias - ¿Cómo vive un indocumentado en EE.UU?

http://noticias.terra.com/noticias/como_vive_un_indocumentado_en_ee_uu/act2485502

Univision (EFE) - Estados Unidos sufre un freno en su recuperación económica

http://www.univisiondc.com/197674-Estados-Unidos-sufre-un-freno-en-su-recuperaci%C3%B3n-econ%C3%B3mica.html

Univision - Indice de aprobación mejoró para Obama pero aún sigue por debajo del 50%

http://noticias.univision.com/estados-unidos/obama/article/2010-08-27/indice-de-aprobacion-mejoro-para

Univision - El sueño americano se ha convertido en pesadilla para los latinos, según funcionario

http://noticias.univision.com/estados-unidos/latinos/article/2010-08-26/el-sueno-americano-se-ha

BBC Mundo - Gobernadora de Arizona defiende a la ley SB 1070 en la corte

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mundo/internacional/2010/08/100826_eeuu_ley_arizona_inmigracion_demanda_brewer_mf.shtml

El Diario La Prensa - Mineros chilenos atrapados graban video

http://www.impre.com/eldiariony/noticias/nuestros-paises/2010/8/27/mineros-chilenos-atrapados-gra-207306-1.html?nstrack=sid:671876|met:300|cat:0|order:4#commentsBlock

Telemundo (VIDE0) - Cómo viven los mineros atrapados en Chile

http://msnlatino.telemundo.com/informacion_y_noticias/Noticiero_Telemundo/video_player?uuid=d6d6d3

UNION CITY! 08/27/2010

2010-08-27T03:01:00.000-07:00

TODAY'S LABOR NEWS

Local Concrete Workers
Demand Dignity, Respect
Gray Pledges Support
For DC Nurses
Labor-To-Labor Walks
Continue Saturday
Union Voice: Readers
Write: Three Quarters,
Not Two Thirds
Weekend Labor History

ON THE LINE
Today, August 27 9:45A:
Labor On The Air: Latest Local
Labor News Updates With Metro
Council President Joslyn Williams
Saturday, August 28 10A:
Ward 5 Labor-To-Labor
GOTV Walk
Saturday, August 28 11A:
"Reclaim The Dream"
Rally & March: “The purpose of the march is reclaiming the dream of Dr. King which focuses on equal education, immigration reform, employment opportunities, and equal protections under the law,” says SEIU 722’s Organizing Director Rick Malachi

Friday, August 27, 2010

LOCAL CONCRETE WORKERS DEMAND DIGNITY, RESPECT: More than 100 concrete workers and community allies descended on the Consolidated Forensic Laboratory construction site at 6th Street, SW yesterday morning, protesting contractor Southland Concrete’s “unsafe practices, unfair layoffs and poor working conditions.” The workers are organizing with the United Construction Workers (UCW) union, but allege that they have been fired, intimidated and harassed by Southland Concrete for their pro-union activity. “Southland fired me for wanting to join a union and have a voice on the job,” said Misael Rivera (at right), a construction worker with over 18 years experience. “They are trying to stop me from speaking out about the daily abuse, poor pay and horrible working conditions – they even offered me double my old salary if I promised to stop organizing.” At-Large DC Councilmember Phil Mendelson – who is up for re-election in the September 14 primary, and is expected to be at Saturday's labor-to-labor walk – told Union City, “I’m out here today to show my support for these workers who have the right to organize and deserve to be treated with respect and dignity.” The protestors rallied for over an hour, shaking rattle-cans and waving signs that read, “We are not disposable” and “United for a better future!” Rivera added, “The only solution to our problem is to stand united together and organize to end these injustices- we refuse to be intimidated any longer!” – report/photo by Adam Wright

GRAY PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR DC NURSES: DC mayoral candidate and City Council Chairman Vince Gray (center) Wednesday renewed his pledge of support for nurses at the Washington Hospital Center (WHC). Earlier this year, Gray expressed his disappointment in the hospital’s firings and disciplinary actions against nurses and other staff who were unable to make it to work during the massive snowstorms that paralyzed the city in February. At a meeting with the leadership of Nurses United on Wednesday, Gray agreed to send a letter to WHC President John Sullivan urging settlement of a contract that will preserve quality care and safety at Washington Hospital Center by providing nurses the pay, benefits, and respect they deserve. "Vince really listened to our concerns and we are excited to have his support," said Nurses United President Dottie Hararas. Nurses United represents the 1600 nurses at Washington Hospital Center who have been working without a contract since the end of June. The union will be meeting in the coming days to decide on an endorsement in the September 14 Democratic primary. - photo by Michael Wilson

LABOR-TO-LABOR WALKS CONTINUE SATURDAY: Labor-to-labor walks continue this Saturday to help elect labor-endorsed candidates in Wards 4, 5 and At-Large in the District's September 14 Primary. "With only three weeks until Election Day, dozens of volunteers are expected to turn out to door knock in support of Phil Mendelson, Harry "Tommy" Thomas Jr., Vince Gray and Eleanor Holmes Norton," says Metro Washington Council, AFL-CIO Assistant Political Coordinator Alya Solomon. "All are welcome to join us! Also, we will be educating residents about the confusion over Michael Brown's name on the ballot," adds Solomon. "Michael D. Brown is a shadow US Senator running for DC City Council At-Large against the three-term incumbent and pro-labor candidate Phil Mendelson, whereas Michael A. Brown - son of the late Commerce Secretary Ron Brown - currently sits on the DC City Council as an At-Large member and is not up for re-election. This poses a problem if the electorate does not know who they are voting for." Click here for details on Saturday's walk, including times and location.

UNION VOICE: Readers Write: Three Quarters, Not Two Thirds: “Your note about the passage of the 19th amendment on women's suffrage (8/26 UC Labor History) contains an inaccuracy,” writes David Gurowsky. “A proposed amendment must be ratified by three-quarters, not two-thirds of the states to be adopted.” “Of course you're right, and we apologize for the error,” responds David Prosten at UCS. “Two-thirds of both houses of Congress have to propose an amendment or two-thirds of state legislators have to ask for a national convention; three-fourths of legislatures have to actually approve the amendment, or three-fourths of states must ratify it in convention. We'll get it straight next time around.”

WEEKEND LABOR HISTORY: Some 14,000 Chicago teachers who have gone without pay for several months finally collect about $1,400 each (8/27/1934); President Truman orders the U.S. Army to seize all the nation's railroads to prevent a general strike. The railroads were not returned to their owners until two years later (8/27/1950); The march for jobs and freedom—the Martin Luther King, Jr. "I Have A Dream" speech march (l)—is held in Washington, D.C. with 250,000 participating (8/28/1963); Dancers at San Francisco’s Lusty Lady Club vote 57-15 to be represented by SEIU Local 790. Their first union contract, ratified eight months later, guaranteed work shifts, protection against arbitrary discipline and termination, automatic hourly wage increases, sick days, a grievance procedure, and removal of one-way mirrors from peep show booths (8/29/1996); Northwest Airlines pilots, after years of concessions to help the airline, begin what is to become a two-week strike for higher pay (8/29/1998); More info & ammo for unionists is available online from Union Communication Services. - photo courtesy A&E Television Networks

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Material published in UNION CITY may be freely reproduced by any recipient; please credit the Council as the source.

Published by the Metropolitan Washington Council, an AFL-CIO "Union City" Central Labor Council whose 200 affiliated union locals represent 150,000 area union members. JOSLYN N. WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT.

Story suggestions, event announcements, campaign reports, Letters to the Editor and other material are welcome, subject to editing for clarity and space, and should be directed to:

Editor: Chris Garlock
Assistant Editor: Adam Wright
streetheat@dclabor.org
Voice: 202-974-8153
Fax: 202-974-8152

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UNION CITY! 08/26/2010

2010-08-26T03:03:00.000-07:00

TODAY'S LABOR NEWS

Bricks Object To Non-
Union Masonry At
VP Biden's Office
Mott’s Strike Garners
National Attention
“Unions Cannot Win
On Our Own” Says
Aussie Activist
Today’s Labor History

ON THE LINE
Today, August 26 11:30A:
Construction Workers'
Rally For Respect

Thursday, August 26, 2010

BRICKS OBJECT TO NON-UNION MASONRY AT VP BIDEN'S OFFICE: It's the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, DC, and it's where Vice President Biden has his office, along with many other White House officials. The Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers union (BAC) found out recently that despite all the Obama administration's rhetoric about providing decent, green, union jobs, the General Services Administration (GSA) has awarded a masonry restoration project at the building to a non-union contractor. "We're in the middle of the biggest recession since the great depression and president Obama has spoken forcefully about the need to create good jobs with good benefits," says BAC Local 1's Raymond Keen, "So why did the President's administration give this major contract to a company that doesn't provide good benefits and pays its employees far less than responsible local contractors?" Keen told Union City yesterday afternoon that after meeting with BAC President James Boland on Tuesday, GSA representatives have committed to working more closely with organized labor in the future and have increased the workers' pay and benefits, but not to the levels the BAC says are appropriate. - ILCA Insider Newsletter, with additional reporting by Adam Wright; photo: members and staff of BAC Local 1 hand billing outside the EEOB; photo by Tony Garcia, BAC Art Director

MOTT’S STRIKE GARNERS NATIONAL ATTENTION: The ongoing strike by upstate New York Mott’s workers – first covered by Union City back in early July and supported from the very beginning by UFCW 400 – is now drawing much-deserved national attention, including a front-page New York Times article last week. Mott’s is owned by the Dr Pepper Snapple Group, which is demanding major wage cuts while posting record profits. “This fight has implications well beyond these workers,” noted AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka earlier this week. “This greedy company thinks it can take advantage of a small group in Williamson, New York, while the rest of the labor movement sits by and watches. If we allow this to happen in New York, it will spread to other profitable companies seeking to follow suit.” Supporters are being urged to boycott products from Mott’s, Snapple and Dr. Pepper; click here for a list. – photo: outside the Mott’s apple juice plant in Williamson, N.Y., Mike LeBerth, president of the union local, is picketing against demands for wage and benefit givebacks; photo by James Rajotte for The New York Times

“UNIONS CANNOT WIN ON OUR OWN” SAYS AUSSIE ACTIVIST: “While coalitions are not an absolute solution to changing the dynamic of a hostile political environment – and an economy that only serves the interests of large corporations – they are paramount to strengthening the brawn and brains of unions,” said Australian labor activist and author Amanda Tattersall (r) at yesterday’s lunchtime discussion at the AFL-CIO. “Unions cannot win on our own – it is vital that we bring others to the movement around social change issues not isolated to collective bargaining.” Tattersall reflected on experiences based on campaigns in Australia, Canada and the United States and explored five key lessons to sustain an effective social movement, which are the focus of her new book, Power In Coalition: Strategies For Strong Unions And Social Change. She is the founder and Director of the Sydney Alliance – a diverse coalition of unions, community organizations and religious organizations – and is the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Unions New South Wales, the central labor council in Sydney representing 600,000 workers.
– report/photo by Adam Wright

TODAY'S LABOR HISTORY: Fannie Sellins (l) and Joseph Starzeleski are murdered by coal company guards on a picket line in Brackenridge, Penn. Sellins was a United Mine Workers of America organizer and Starzeleski was a miner (1919); After two-thirds of the states had ratified the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, women win their long struggle for the vote (1920); With America in the depths of the Great Depression, the Comptroller of the Currency announces a temporary halt on foreclosures of first mortgages (1932); In what some may consider one of the many management decisions that was to help cripple the American auto industry over the following decades, Ford Motor Co. produces its first Edsel. Ford dropped the project two years later after losing approximately $350 million (1957); More than 1,300 bus drivers on Oahu, Hawaii begin what is to become a five week strike (2003); More info & ammo for unionists is available online from Union Communication Services. - photo courtesy Northern Illinois University

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Material published in UNION CITY may be freely reproduced by any recipient; please credit the Council as the source.

Published by the Metropolitan Washington Council, an AFL-CIO "Union City" Central Labor Council whose 200 affiliated union locals represent 150,000 area union members. JOSLYN N. WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT.

Story suggestions, event announcements, campaign reports, Letters to the Editor and other material are welcome, subject to editing for clarity and space, and should be directed to:

Editor: Chris Garlock
Assistant Editor: Adam Wright
streetheat@dclabor.org
Voice: 202-974-8153
Fax: 202-974-8152

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UNION CITY! Hiring Hall 08/25/2010

2010-08-25T03:02:00.000-07:00

TODAY'S LABOR NEWS

School Officers’ Union Pushes For “Fair Share”
Of Fed Funds
Screen Scene
Inspires Anew
Aussie Activist/Author
On Building Power
In Coalitions
1-Click Updating
Today's Labor History
Hiring Hall Weekly
Round Up – 8 New Jobs!

ON THE LINE
Today, August 25 12P:
Power In Coalition: A Discussion
With Australian Activist
& Author Amanda Tattersall
Thursday, August 26 11:30A:
Construction Workers'
Rally For Respect

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

SCHOOL OFFICERS’ UNION PUSHES FOR “FAIR SHARE” OF FED FUNDS: The Council of School Officers (CSO) is urging Mayor Adrian Fenty and DC Public Schools (DCPS) Chancellor Michelle Rhee to recognize the critically important jobs filled by many of its members who work as assistant principals, school psychologists, social workers, speech therapists, special education coordinators and other service providers. Despite their significant role in day-to-day student success and achievement, “DCPS has inexplicably decided to freeze out these individuals from a fair share of the millions of federal dollars that have been specifically approved to fairly compensate education professionals,” CSO said in a letter to Fenty and Rhee last week. The union is calling on Fenty and Rhee to “fully explain and document the types of funds being used by DCPS to compensate employees and where that money is being spent.”

SCREEN SCENE INSPIRES ANEW: “We kicked that bosses' ass and now he's in jail where he belongs,” said UE’s Chris Townsend (below) at Monday night’s screening of Workers’ Republic. More than 50 area activists packed the Langston Room at the U Street Busboys and Poets to watch the inspiring story of the workers at Republic Windows and Doors whose successful December 2008 sit-in transfixed the nation. The screening was sponsored by the DC Labor FilmFest, United Electrical Workers Union, DC Jobs With Justice and the International Socialist Organization. REMINDER: Support the 10th annual DC Labor FilmFest by reserving your ad in the FilmFest program guide today! Click here for a FilmFest ratesheet and email streetheat@dclabor.org to reserve space. - photo by Chris Garlock

AUSSIE ACTIVIST/AUTHOR ON BUILDING POWER IN COALITIONS: Australian activist and author Amanda Tattersall will discuss how to build powerful coalitions between unions and community organizations at today's lunchtime discussion at the AFL-CIO, where she'll also launch her new book "Power in Coalition." "Tattersall examines successful coalitions between unions and community organizations in three countries: the public education coalition in Sydney, Toronto's Ontario Health Coalition fighting to save universal health care, and Chicago's living wage campaign run by the Grassroots Collaborative," says the AFL-CIO. Click here for details or email sreynold@aflcio.org to RSVP.

1-CLICK UPDATING: New email address, phone number or mailing address? Make sure you stay in the loop with the latest local labor news updates and events by keeping your contact info up-to-date! It's easy: just click here now to update your mailing address, phone number and email address on your very own personal subscription management page. And don't forget to pass the word about the nation's only -- and award-winning -- daily labor news e-zine by forwarding Union City to your friends and family; simply click the "forward to a friend" link at the bottom of your latest edition. Got labor news? Email us at streetheat@dclabor.org anytime!

TODAY'S LABOR HISTORY: Birth of Allan Pinkerton, whose strike-breaking detectives ("Pinks") gave us the word "fink" (1819); Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters - America's first African American labor union – founded at a meeting in New York City. “We went through miles of smiles and years of struggle,” says 99-year-old former porter Linus Scott. The founding of the Brotherhood was an important milestone in the labor movement, which had previously been all white. But more importantly, it laid the foundation for the modern civil rights movement, by proving that blacks could organize and achieve tangible results. A. Philip Randolph became the union's first organizer (1925); More info & ammo for unionists is available online from Union Communication Services. - photo: a sleeping car porter employed by the Pullman Company at Union Station in Chicago, Illinois 1943; photo courtesy Library of Congress

HIRING HALL WEEKLY ROUND UP
Click here for full details & complete union jobs postings from the past month. Email streetheat@dclabor.org to post an opening!

ADMINISTRATIVE
Administrative Assistant - Organization and Field Services (8/24)
AFT

Administrative Assistant - AFT Higher Education (8/24)
AFT

Office Administrator, International Department (8/24)
AFL-CIO

COMMUNICATIONS
Director of Communications (8/24)
NLC

MISC
Instructional Designer (8/24)
Transportation Learning Center/ATU

Program Officer - Academic Freedom and Tenure (8/24)
AAUP

Senior Manager for Development (8/24)
CASA de Maryland

RESEARCH
Legislative Research Analyst (8/24)
SEIU

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Material published in UNION CITY may be freely reproduced by any recipient; please credit the Council as the source.

Published by the Metropolitan Washington Council, an AFL-CIO "Union City" Central Labor Council whose 200 affiliated union locals represent 150,000 area union members. JOSLYN N. WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT.

Story suggestions, event announcements, campaign reports, Letters to the Editor and other material are welcome, subject to editing for clarity and space, and should be directed to:

Editor: Chris Garlock
Assistant Editor: Adam Wright
streetheat@dclabor.org
Voice: 202-974-8153
Fax: 202-974-8152

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UNION CITY! 08/24/2010

2010-08-24T03:00:00.000-07:00

TODAY'S LABOR NEWS

AFGE Targets Fenty
In Radio Ads
Union Plus Offers Discount
On Princeton Review
Today's Labor History

ON THE LINE
Today, August 24 6:30P:
DC Chairman & At-Large Councilmember Candidate Forum
Wednesday, August 25 12P:
Power In Coalition: A Discussion With Australian Activist
& Author Amanda Tattersall

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

AFGE TARGETS FENTY IN RADIO ADS: The American Federation of Government Employees, which represents 600,000 federal and District of Columbia public employees, last week launched an ad campaign targeting D.C.’s mayor (r). In the “We Have a Problem with Our Boss,” 60 second radio spot, the public employee union details attacks against city employees by the mayor, including eliminating the Department of Public Recreation’s child care services agency. The ad also chastises the mayor for a failure to nominate members to the Public Employee Relations Board, which resolves disputes between public employees and the city. This year the mayor attempted to eliminate the agency in his proposed budget. “Public employees in the District of Columbia are in a fight to protect their jobs, their most basic civil service protections, and their dignity,” said Dwight Bowman, AFGE 14th district national vice-president (and Metro Council Executive Board member), which represents federal and D.C. employees in the metro Washington area. “This radio campaign is an articulation of those concerns.” Click here for more on this story. - photo by Adam Wright

UNION PLUS OFFERS DISCOUNT ON PRINCETON REVIEW: The rising costs of education can be a daunting hurdle for working families. But thanks to a new Union Plus discount, union members and their children can now save up to 50% on college test prep courses (including SAT, ACT, GMAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT) from the Princeton Review. The new offerings also include courses covering college financial aid (including FAFSA tips) and the college admissions process; union members can choose from in-person classes, tutoring or online courses. “Union groups that want to offer courses, free tests, etc. to their membership can contact anthonyr@review.com with any questions and we can put you in touch with a local Princeton Review office in your area,” adds Union Privilege’s Eleanor Trice. Click here for details, or call 1-888-243-7737.

TODAY'S LABOR HISTORY: The Mechanics Gazette, believed to be the first U.S. labor newspaper, is published in Philadelphia, the outgrowth of a strike by Carpenters demanding a shorter, 10-hour day. The strike lost but labor journalism blossomed: within five years there were 68 labor newspapers across the country, many of them dailies (1827); The Gatling Gun Co. – manufacturers of an early machine gun – writes to B&O Railroad Co. President John W. Garrett during a strike, urging their product be purchased to deal with the "recent riotous disturbances around the country." Says the company: "Four or five men only are required to operate (a gun), and one Gatling ... can clear a street or block and keep it clear" (1877); National Association of Letter Carriers formed (1889); United Farm Workers Union begins lettuce strike (1970); More info & ammo for unionists is available online from Union Communication Services. - photo: Cesar Chavez (third from right) leading a lettuce boycott march in New York City, 1973; photo courtesy Getty Images

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Material published in UNION CITY may be freely reproduced by any recipient; please credit the Council as the source.

Published by the Metropolitan Washington Council, an AFL-CIO "Union City" Central Labor Council whose 200 affiliated union locals represent 150,000 area union members. JOSLYN N. WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT.

Story suggestions, event announcements, campaign reports, Letters to the Editor and other material are welcome, subject to editing for clarity and space, and should be directed to:

Editor: Chris Garlock
Assistant Editor: Adam Wright
streetheat@dclabor.org
Voice: 202-974-8153
Fax: 202-974-8152

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UNION CITY! 08/23/2010

2010-08-23T03:01:00.000-07:00

TODAY'S LABOR NEWS

Labor Hits DC Streets
For Gray
AFGE FAA Local
Joins Council
Free Screening Tonight
Of "Workers' Republic”
Annual Golf Tourney
Just Weeks Away
Today’s Labor History

ON THE LINE
Today, August 23 6P:
Labor Film Screening:
Workers' Republic
Tuesday, August 24 6:30P:
DC Chairman & At-Large
Councilmember Candidate Forum

Monday, August 23, 2010

LABOR HITS DC STREETS FOR GRAY: Dozens of local labor volunteers fanned out across DC’s Ward 5 Saturday morning on the second Labor-to-Labor lit drop for mayoral candidate Vincent Gray and other labor-endorsed candidates, including Ward 5 Councilman Harry Thomas Jr. (center), who spoke briefly to the assembled volunteers. “When you have someone on the ropes, you’ve got to knock them out,” Thomas said, referring to recent polls showing Fenty lagging Gray by as much as 10 points. “But we can take nothing for granted,” Thomas warned, thanking the labor volunteers for giving up their Saturday morning for the campaign. “Fenty won’t give District workers jobs, so we’re going to give Vince Gray the Mayor’s job.” Watch Union City this week for plans for this Saturday’s Labor-to-Labor walk. - report/photos by Chris Garlock

AFGE FAA LOCAL JOINS COUNCIL: AFGE Local 2703 - which represents nearly 200 Aeronautical Information Specialists at the US Department of Transportation/ Federal Aviation Administration - is the latest Metro Washington Council affiliate. "We're very happy to become a part of the Metro Council," said Local 2703 President Ron Carberry. "Particularly, we see a great benefit to our members in having access to the Council's many programs, including the Community Services Agency and its ability to help workers who are struggling financially." The local has represented FAA workers since the early 1980s.

FREE SCREENING TONIGHT OF "WORKERS' REPUBLIC": Don't miss tonight's screening of the inspiring story of the workers at Republic Windows and Doors who won by taking over their doomed factory in December 2008. The award-winning documentary Workers' Republic shows free at 6P at Busboys & Poets. "Come and discuss how the lessons of the Republic Windows and Doors factory occupation can be applied within the labor movement today," say event organizers; the screening is sponsored by the DC Labor FilmFest, United Electrical Workers Union, DC Jobs With Justice and the International Socialist Organization.

ANNUAL GOLF TOURNEY JUST WEEKS AWAY: The Community Services Agency's annual Golf Tournament - now in its 15th year - is just weeks away, scheduled for Monday September 27 at the Enterprise Golf Course in Mitchellville, Maryland. "Sign-up your foursome before space runs out!" says CSA Executive Director Kathleen McKirchy. "It's a beautiful union golf course, lots of fun and friends, and good food and exercise. Join operating engineers, laborers, government employees, carpenters, iron workers, communication workers, and friendly vendors who have already signed up!" The CSA urges participants to donate items for raffle, such as tickets to sports or performing arts events, generic gift cards, gift certificates for union restaurants or golf-related items. "Don't forget that you can sponsor a tee sign or take out an ad in the program book." Click here to download a registration form; email kmckirch@dclabor.org or call 202-974-8221 for more information. - photo: “Phillip Feaster" team members Ozella Nuchols, Christine McDaniels, Juanita Wills and Julia Sampson at the 2009 CSA Golf Tournament; photo by Chris Garlock

TODAY’S LABOR HISTORY: The U.S. Commission on Industrial Relations is formed by Congress, during a period of great labor and social unrest. After three years, and hearing witnesses ranging from Wobblies to capitalists, it issued an 11-volume report frequently critical of capitalism. The New York Herald characterized the Commission's president, Frank P. Walsh, as "a Mother Jones in trousers" (1912); Italian immigrants Nicola Sacco (at right) and Bartolomeo Vanzetti (at left), accused of murder and tried unfairly, were executed on this day. The case became an international cause and sparked demonstrations and strikes throughout the world (1927); Seven merchant seamen crewing the SS Baton Rouge Victory lost their lives when the ship was sunk by Viet Cong action en route to Saigon (1966); Farm Workers Organizing Committee (to later become United Farm Workers of America) granted a charter by the AFL-CIO (1966); More info & ammo for unionists is available online from Union Communication Services. - photo courtesy Boston Public Library

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Material published in UNION CITY may be freely reproduced by any recipient; please credit the Council as the source.

Published by the Metropolitan Washington Council, an AFL-CIO "Union City" Central Labor Council whose 200 affiliated union locals represent 150,000 area union members. JOSLYN N. WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT.

Story suggestions, event announcements, campaign reports, Letters to the Editor and other material are welcome, subject to editing for clarity and space, and should be directed to:

Editor: Chris Garlock
Assistant Editor: Adam Wright
streetheat@dclabor.org
Voice: 202-974-8153
Fax: 202-974-8152

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UNION CITY! 08/20/2010

2010-08-20T03:01:00.000-07:00

TODAY'S LABOR NEWS

MD Officers Push Back
On Caseloads
Thomas To Join
Ward 5 Labor-To-
Labor Walks Saturday
Sharing Union City
Remembering
Cripple Creek
Weekend Labor History

ON THE LINE
Today, August 20 9:45A:
Labor On The Air: Latest Local
Labor News Updates With Union Cities Coordinator Chris Garlock

Friday, August 20, 2010

MD OFFICERS PUSH BACK ON CASELOADS: Citing "unmanageable caseloads," Maryland parole and probation officers are meeting next week with government officials to develop a "commonsense agreement on caseloads and overtime," reports AFSCME Maryland. Almost 600 General Supervision Agents in the city of Baltimore and Baltimore, Montgomery and Prince George's counties - represented by AFSCME Local 3661 - are pushing for a plan that allows "agents constantly monitoring high-risk offenders to meet with offenders once every other week." AFSCME MD Organizer Joe Cox told Union City, “These agents recently fought back against an additional increase to their contact standards and won.” He added, “The upcoming meeting with the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services is about winning overtime and caseload reductions, because even the status quo they are now back to is too much to handle in a 40-hour workweek. It is a step in the right direction towards giving a total of 840 agents state-wide the resources they need to protect the public interest." – photo courtesy Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services

THOMAS TO JOIN WARD 5 LABOR-TO-LABOR WALKS SATURDAY: "As we enter our second week of labor walks, we will be joined by Councilmember Harry Thomas Jr. this Saturday," reports Metro Washington Council Assistant Political Coordinator Alya Solomon. Saturday's walks run 10A - 1P to blitz Ward 5 for labor-endorsed candidates Vincent Gray, Phil Mendelson and Harry "Tommy" Thomas Jr. (left). "We are expecting a good show of union members this Saturday and we hope to hit every union household in Ward 5!" Solomon adds. Up to Election Day - September 14 - labor-to-labor walks will be conducted every Saturday from 10A - 1P out of the Fire Fighters local Union 36 (located at 2120 Bladensburg Road, NE) and Monday through Thursday from 5P - 8P from the Metro Council's office (888 16th Street, NW). Union volunteers who turn out regularly will receive a free campaign T-Shirt; contact Alya at 202-320-9027 for more information and to register to volunteer. – photo: Ward 5 DC Councilmember Harry Thomas speaking at the "Take Back DC" Rally outside the Wilson Building in September 2009; photo by Adam Wright

SHARING UNION CITY: Union City readers can now easily share stories with friends and family using your favorite social media networks, such as Twitter, Facebook, My Space and dozens more! Look for the "sharethis" link at the top of each archived news article on the Metro Washington Council's website and simply click on the icon that best suits your social media needs.

REMEMBERING CRIPPLE CREEK: Some of the sharpest and most violent class struggles in American history were fought in the hard rock mining towns of the nineteenth-century West where workers and bosses fought with fists, bullets, and dynamite in the streets and mines. On a recent visit to Colorado, I stopped by Cripple Creek, a little town whose name is forever linked to one of the most brutal confrontations in American labor history. In 1904, Governor James Peabody sent in the National Guard; Company L, a detachment commanded by a mine manager, surrounded the miner’s union hall in nearby Victor, took up sniper positions on neighboring rooftops, and began to fire into the union hall. Four miners were hit, and the men inside were forced to surrender. In the ensuing days, union members were deported or loaded onto special trains and dumped across the state line and for all practical purposes the Western Federation of Miners was destroyed in Colorado's mining camps. These days, Cripple Creek is known more for its casinos and though the miner’s union hall in Victor still stands, it’s empty and marked only with a For Sale sign. No monument or plaque memorializes the epic battles in either town and the museums barely mention workers at all, focusing instead on the tons of gold ore they painstakingly pulled from the now-quiet mountains. Click here for the complete version of this report and to share it via your favorite social media networks. - Chris Garlock; photos by Lisa Garlock

WEEKEND LABOR HISTORY: Slave revolt led by Nat Turner begins in Southampton County, Va. (8/21/1831); Five flight attendants form the Air Line Stewardesses Association, the first labor union representing flight attendants. They were reacting to an industry in which women were forced to retire at the age of 32, remain single, and adhere to strict weight, height and appearance requirements. The association later became the Association of Flight Attendants, now a division of the Communications Workers of America (8/22/1945); International Broom & Whisk Makers Union disbanded (8/22/1963); Joyce Miller (l), a vice president of the Amalgamated Clothing & Textile Workers, becomes first female member of the AFL-CIO Executive Council (8/22/1980); International Longshore & Warehouse Union granted a charter by the AFL-CIO (8/22/1988); More info & ammo for unionists is available online from Union Communication Services.
- photo courtesy Chicago Democratic Socialists of America

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Material published in UNION CITY may be freely reproduced by any recipient; please credit the Council as the source.

Published by the Metropolitan Washington Council, an AFL-CIO "Union City" Central Labor Council whose 200 affiliated union locals represent 150,000 area union members. JOSLYN N. WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT.

Story suggestions, event announcements, campaign reports, Letters to the Editor and other material are welcome, subject to editing for clarity and space, and should be directed to:

Editor: Chris Garlock
Assistant Editor: Adam Wright
streetheat@dclabor.org
Voice: 202-974-8153
Fax: 202-974-8152

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UNION CITY! 08/19/2010

2010-08-19T03:02:00.000-07:00

TODAY'S LABOR NEWS

Hotel Workers Press
Bank Of America
To "Save Our Jobs!"
FilmFest Ad
Deadline Extended
August Edition Of “The
Trades” Available Online
Labor On The Move:
Kahraman Heads West
(Again); JUFJ’s Metalitz
To Launch Consulting
Biz To Help Nonprofits
Today’s Labor History

ON THE LINE
Click here to see the full lineup of events on the Metro Washington Council’s website.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

HOTEL WORKERS PRESS BANK OF AMERICA TO "SAVE OUR JOBS!": Under grim and damp skies, more than one hundred hotel workers and labor allies rallied outside the 15th and Pennsylvania Bank of America branch during rush-hour last night to demand that the bank protect their jobs. “We’re mad as hell and we’re not going to take it anymore!" said AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Arlene Holt Baker outside the Treasury Department, which helped bail out BOA last year. UNITE HERE represents hotel workers whose jobs are in jeopardy as a result of the potential default of $1 billion in loans made by Bank of America to Columbia Sussex, which owns 14 hotel properties nation-wide – including the Hilton Crystal City and the Baltimore Sheraton City Center. “We helped bail them out, now it’s time for them to bail us out to keep our jobs,” said DeLouise Eggleston (above, at right), who works at the Baltimore Sheraton. “Columbia Sussex expects us to pay back their loan through big cuts in our pay and benefits – it’s not fair and we won’t allow it.” Added Nelly Villalobos (left, at center) – a laundry worker at the Hilton Crystal City for over 17 years – “Since Columbia Sussex took over our hotel, they have made our lives very difficult. We are not going to let workers pay for their mistakes. We’re going to keep fighting and moving forward together to protect our jobs!”
– report by Adam Wright; photos by Chris Garlock

FILMFEST AD DEADLINE EXTENDED: The deadline for ads in this year's DC Labor FilmFest Program Guide has been extended to Friday, September 3. "We're very close to finalizing the line-up for our 10th annual FilmFest and will have exciting news by Labor Day," announced FilmFest Director Chris Garlock. "Don't miss this chance to be part of the FilmFest!" The Program Guide is distributed to all FilmFest attendees; in addition to space in the Guide, sponsors receive free tickets to the FilmFest and discounts to special event screenings. Click here to download the Guide rate sheet or email streetheat@dclabor.org or call 202-974-8153 for details or to reserve space.

AUGUST EDITION OF “THE TRADES” AVAILABLE ONLINE: "Wake up and smell the coffee (and) help re-elect the two most important O’s this year and in two years, the first being O’Malley and the second being Obama," reports Washington Building and Construction Trades Council Executive Secretary-Treasurer Vance Ayres in the August edition of The Trades newsletter. Ayres also challenges readers "to buy products made in the U.S.A. as much as you can even if it is does cost a little more to help keep jobs in the U.S.A." The newsletter also includes reports from Rodmen Local 201 and Plumbers Local 5.

LABOR ON THE MOVE: KAHRAMAN HEADS WEST (AGAIN): Newspaper Guild organizer – and former Metro Council Union Cities Coordinator – Joe Kahraman (at left) is leaving town. Again. Kahraman is heading back to California to take a job as Executive Director of the Engineers and Architects Association, one of the unions for Los Angeles city employees. Kahraman had worked in California previously, as a Lead Organizer for AFSCME International for most of the last decade. Friends are sending him off at a happy hour this Friday, August 20, 6-10P at Whitlow's on Wilson, 2854 Wilson Blvd. in Clarendon: 703-276-9693. Contact him at jkahraman@mac.com JUFJ’S METALITZ TO LAUNCH CONSULTING BIZ TO HELP NONPROFITS: Development and Communications Manager Robin Metalitz is leaving Jews United for Justice “to launch a nonprofit consulting business, focused on helping smaller nonprofits increase their capacity and find creative solutions to their challenges.” Metalitz says she plans “to continue to be an active member of JUFJ, and to stay involved in working for social justice in the Greater Washington area, which is one of my longtime passions.” Reach her at rmetalitz@gmail.com or click here to check out her website. – photo: Kahraman (left) walking the line in support of Reuters reporters in January, 2010; photo by Chris Garlock

TODAY'S LABOR HISTORY: First edition of IWW "Little Red Song Book" published (1909); Some 2,000 United Railroads streetcar service workers and supporters parade down San Francisco’s Market Street in support of pay demands and against the company’s anti-union policies. The strike failed in late November in the face of more than 1,000 strikebreakers, some of them imported from Chicago (1917); Founding of the Maritime Trades Dept. of the AFL-CIO, to give "workers employed in the maritime industry and its allied trades a voice in shaping national policy" (1946); Phelps-Dodge copper miners in Morenci and Clifton Ariz. are confronted by tanks, helicopters, 426 state troopers and 325 National Guardsmen brought in to walk strikebreakers through picketlines in what was to become a failed three-year fight by the Steelworkers and other unions (1983); Some 4,400 mechanics, cleaners and custodians, members of AMFA at Northwest Airlines, strike the carrier over job security, pay cuts and workrule changes. The 14-month strike was to fail, with most union jobs lost to replacements and outside contractors (2005); More info & ammo for unionists is available online from Union Communication Services.

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Material published in UNION CITY may be freely reproduced by any recipient; please credit the Council as the source.

Published by the Metropolitan Washington Council, an AFL-CIO "Union City" Central Labor Council whose 200 affiliated union locals represent 150,000 area union members. JOSLYN N. WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT.

Story suggestions, event announcements, campaign reports, Letters to the Editor and other material are welcome, subject to editing for clarity and space, and should be directed to:

Editor: Chris Garlock
Assistant Editor: Adam Wright
streetheat@dclabor.org
Voice: 202-974-8153
Fax: 202-974-8152

Forward UNION CITY! to all your friends and colleagues or click here to spread the word!

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UNION CITY! Hiring Hall 08/18/2010

2010-08-18T03:01:00.000-07:00

TODAY'S LABOR NEWS

Fenty Urged To Boot
Lax Security Company
DC Laborers Welcome
Return To AFL-CIO
Holt-Baker To Join
Hotel Workers At Bank
Of America Demo
Today's Labor History
Hiring Hall Weekly
Round Up – 5 New Jobs!

ON THE LINE
Today, August 18 5P:
Tell Bank Of America: Workers
Won't Pay for Corporate Greed

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

FENTY URGED TO BOOT LAX SECURITY COMPANY: SEIU Local 32BJ is urging DC Mayor Adrian Fenty to boot the security company contracted by the District to guard government buildings, schools and public arenas. U.S. Security failed tests in which inspectors were able to sneak weapons through checkpoints, reported The Washington Post on Sunday. "D.C. taxpayers pay U.S. Security more than $40 million dollars a year to protect our schools and city buildings," says SEIU 32BJ, "but the company is not making the grade. The Fenty Administration should put U.S. Security's contracts out to bid." The local represents 1,500 private security officers who safeguard District offices and educational institutions. In May, reported the Post, "U.S. Security Associates, based in Roswell, GA., had eight weapons violations and 12 other infractions that resulted in up to $3,560 in fines for the firm and its subcontractor, Watkins Security." With the company still the security contractor at more than 76 schools and municipal buildings, Local 32BJ is concerned that U.S. Security's actions threaten to undermine the union's work with "responsible security contractors and elected officials to raise industry standards and improve life for security officers in DC," says Jaime Contreras, 32BJ Capital Area Director. "DC taxpayers and our kids deserve reliable protection at our public buildings and schools." Click here to urge Fenty to take action. - Chris Garlock

DC LABORERS WELCOME RETURN TO AFL-CIO: “We’ve been with the Metro Council all along,” said Laborers 657 Business Manager Anthony Frederick (center) after Monday’s announcement that the Laborers (LIUNA) are re-affiliating with the AFL-CIO. “Now we can all act as one. United, we’re big,” Frederick added, “divided, we’re small.” LIUNA disaffiliated from the AFL-CIO in June 2006, but continued to organize much of its political efforts through the AFL-CIO. Saying that “now is the moment for a unified labor movement,” AFL-CIO President Rich Trumka said that “Together, brick by brick, we will build an economy that works for everyone.”
– photo: Laborers 657 joined District residents and labor allies to rally for healthcare reform on Capitol Hill in August, 2009; photo by Adam Wright

HOLT-BAKER TO JOIN HOTEL WORKERS AT BANK OF AMERICA DEMO: AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Arlene Holt-Baker will join more than one hundred hotel workers and labor allies at today’s 5P demonstration outside Bank of America to demand that the bank “honor the taxpayers’ generous bailout of their company and protect hotel jobs,” reports UNITE HERE. “Columbia Sussex, the company that owns the union Hilton Crystal City and Baltimore Sheraton, expanded by taking out loans from eager lenders like Bank of America,” says DC Jobs with Justice. “Now Bank of America is about to take over $1 billion in loans for 14 hotels due to ‘imminent default.’ The transfer puts into question the future of 1,700 workers at these 14 hotels.” Click here for details.

TODAY'S LABOR HISTORY: Radio station WEVD, named for Eugene V. Debs (l), goes on the air in New York City, operated by The Forward Association as a memorial to the labor and socialist leader (1927); Founding of the American Federation of Government Employees, following a decision by the National Federation of Federal Employees (later to become part of the Intl. Assn. of Machinists) to leave the AFL (1932); More info & ammo for unionists is available online from Union Communication Services. - photo courtesy Library of Congress

HIRING HALL WEEKLY ROUND UP
Click here for full details & complete union jobs postings from the past month. Email streetheat@dclabor.org to post an opening!

COMMUNICATIONS
Development & Communications Associate (8/17)
Jews United For Justice

MISC
Meeting & Travel Technician (8/17)
AFSCME

Project Coordinator (8/17)
SEIU

POLITICAL
Political Department Intern (8/17)
SEIU

RESEARCH
Strategic Researchers and Campaigners (8/17)
AFL-CIO

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Published by the Metropolitan Washington Council, an AFL-CIO "Union City" Central Labor Council whose 200 affiliated union locals represent 150,000 area union members. JOSLYN N. WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT.

Story suggestions, event announcements, campaign reports, Letters to the Editor and other material are welcome, subject to editing for clarity and space, and should be directed to:

Editor: Chris Garlock
Assistant Editor: Adam Wright
streetheat@dclabor.org
Voice: 202-974-8153
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UNION CITY! 08/17/2010

2010-08-17T03:01:00.000-07:00

TODAY'S LABOR NEWS

Online Labor Photo
Gallery Updated
Hotel Workers Bring
Fight To Bank Of America
Today's Labor History

ON THE LINE
Click here to see the full lineup of events on the Metro Washington Council’s website.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

ONLINE LABOR PHOTO GALLERY UPDATED: The Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO’s online photo gallery has been updated and is just a click away! View hundreds of archived photos from previous Metro Council events dating back to 2008, including Bowling for Gold and Golf tournaments, Evening With Labor, Labor Night at the Nats and July's labor reception for DC Mayoral Candidate Vince Gray. Simply click on the photo gallery link under the “DC Labor News Archives” tab on the Metro Council’s website to view slideshows and download photos.

HOTEL WORKERS BRING FIGHT TO BANK OF AMERICA: When the boss sneezes, it's the workers who catch the cold. With mega-hotel owners Columbia Sussex preparing to default on over a billion dollars in loans from Bank of America, local hotel workers --joined by AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Arlene Holt-Baker, UNITE HERE, DC Jobs with Justice and other labor allies -- will rally outside the bank's DC office at 5P tomorrow to demand that union contracts and jobs be protected. Click here for details. - photo: hotel workers rallied outside the Hilton Crystal City in Northern Virginia – which is owned by Columbia Sussex – in September 2009, demanding a fair contract and better working conditions; photo by Adam Wright

TODAY'S LABOR HISTORY: IWW War Trials in Chicago, 95 go to prison for up to 20 years (1918); Bakery & Confectionery Workers International Union of America merges with Tobacco Workers International Union to become Bakery, Confectionery & Tobacco Workers (1978); Year-long Hormel meatpackers' strike (r) begins in Austin, Minn. (1985); More info & ammo for unionists is available online from Union Communication Services. - photo courtesy Austin Daily Herald

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Material published in UNION CITY may be freely reproduced by any recipient; please credit the Council as the source.

Published by the Metropolitan Washington Council, an AFL-CIO "Union City" Central Labor Council whose 200 affiliated union locals represent 150,000 area union members. JOSLYN N. WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT.

Story suggestions, event announcements, campaign reports, Letters to the Editor and other material are welcome, subject to editing for clarity and space, and should be directed to:

Editor: Chris Garlock
Assistant Editor: Adam Wright
streetheat@dclabor.org
Voice: 202-974-8153
Fax: 202-974-8152

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UNION CITY! 08/16/2010

2010-08-16T03:09:00.000-07:00

TODAY'S LABOR NEWS

Activists Arrested After Protesting Arizona Anti-Immigrant Law At Nats-Diamondbacks Game Sunday
"We're Set Up To Fail" Say DC School Workers
AFGE Videos Hit Fenty, Draw Media Notice
Council Of School Officers Declares Impasse In Negotiations With DC Public Schools
Interns Wrap Up Activist Union Summer
Today's Labor History

ON THE LINE

ACTIVISTS ARRESTED AFTER PROTESTING ARIZONA ANTI-IMMIGRANT LAW AT NATS-DIAMONDBACKS GAME SUNDAY: Four local immigration rights and labor activists were arrested yesterday after staging a protest against Arizona’s anti-immigrant law at the Nationals game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. “Baseball is our national pastime and emblematic of our national values and identity,” said Gustavo Torres of CASA de Maryland, which organized the protest with the National Day Laborers Organizing Network (NDLON) and Presente.org. As an array of local and national community and civil rights organizations protested outside the game, activists inside dropped a banner that read “Bud Selig Move All-Stars Game: No SB1070” and ran onto the field (click here for a brief YouTube video) at the beginning of the fifth inning, disrupting the game. The protesters were a diverse African-American, Latino, Asian, and Caucasian group waving patriotic colors and chanting “Strike Out Arizona!” Arrested were Gustavo Andrade, Senior Organizing Manager for CASA de Maryland; Rosa Lozano, Youth Organizer for CASA de Maryland; Mackenzie Baris, Executive Director for DC Jobs with Justice; and Virginia Leavell. Activists are demanding that MLB Commissioner Selig commit to move the All-Star game out of Arizona next year. If the game is held in Arizona, they fear that minority players will run the risk of racial profiling and many have already begun receiving advice and training on how to protect themselves. Numerous players, managers and coaches have spoken out against the law, and several have said they will refuse to participate if the 2011 All-Star Game is held in Arizona. “It is a disgrace for MLB Commissioner Selig to refuse to move the game out of Arizona and we are asking our Nationals to boycott it,” added Torres. The DC action follows the arrest of several activists last week as they attempted to deliver more than 110,000 petitions to Commissioner Selig during the owners’ quarterly meeting in Minneapolis. Sunday’s protest was part of the national MoveTheGame.org campaign – a coalition of organizations led by Presente.org and MoveOn.org, which has coordinated several rallies, protests and other events across the country in reaction to the passage of Arizona’s anti-immigrant law SB 1070 earlier this year. Photos: Jonathan Newton/Washington Post (top right); Ann Heisenfelt/AP (left); presente.org (bottom right)

“WE’RE SET UP TO FAIL” SAY DC SCHOOL WORKERS: The hidden casualties of the Fenty administration’s controversial “IMPACT” school evaluation system rallied outside DC Public Schools headquarters for several hours Friday, protesting the “shady methods” used to assess their performance. “Para-professionals, clericals and even custodians now have five percent of their evaluations based on how much test scores increase in their schools – even though they have no direct control over how testing goals are met in the classroom,” AFSCME Local 2921 President Michael Flood told Union City. “That’s blatantly unfair and outrageous - we’re being set up to fail.” Rita Howard, a former DCPS employee, told Union City that even with her high qualifications and tenured experience, she was unfairly fired because of the failures of a “corrupt and mismanaged administration.” She added, “I’ve never worked for such a dysfunctional education system in my entire life.” Among other issues, the union says that record numbers of school workers city-wide are being forced to work out of classification without compensation; that highly qualified union members with tenure are being specifically targeted and fired by Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee; that many of the workers’ salaries are “so low that they qualify for welfare and social service programs”; and that the members have been working without a ratified contract for three years because of Rhee and Fenty’s “stalling tactics.” “The labor movement is the last line of defense for working families who are engaged in this war with Mayor Fenty and Michelle Rhee for the heart and soul of DC,” said Metro Washington Council President Jos Williams (l) in a rousing speech, “When the September election comes, that day will be our chance to tell them, ‘get the hell out of our city!’”
– report/photos by Adam Wright

AFGE VIDEOS HIT FENTY, DRAW MEDIA NOTICE: Anti-Fenty YouTube videos produced by the American Federation of Government Employees garnered attention in the Washington Post with political columnist Mike DeBonis’ “Union attacks Fenty with 'demon teddy bears'” report last Thursday. The videos hit DC Mayor Fenty for closing DC daycare centers and funneling millions to his fraternity bothers without Council approval.

COUNCIL OF SCHOOL OFFICERS DECLARES IMPASSE IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH DC PUBLIC SCHOOLS: The Council of School Officers (CSO) Local 4 announced Friday that it had filed papers with the DC Public Employee Relations Board (PERB) declaring that an official impasse has been reached in contract negotiations with the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS). The CSO – affiliated with the Metro Washington Council -- represents nearly 700 DCPS education professionals, including principals, assistant principals, coordinators, directors, business managers and specialists. " DCPS does not appreciate their workforce," said CSO president Aona H. Jefferson. "Our members deserve better and the children deserve better.”

INTERNS WRAP UP ACTIVIST UNION SUMMER: “You’ll always be part of our family,” declared Metro Council President Jos Williams at Friday’s farewell lunch for the 2010 Union Summer interns. “DC was one of five cities across the country to host interns this year, but you’re undoubtedly the best!” he added, before presenting each with a plaque recognizing their efforts over the summer. Jobs with Justice’s Mackenzie Baris thanked the interns for their work on JwJ campaigns as well, saying that she hoped “you got a picture of how incredibly diverse our movement is here in DC” and urging the young activists to seek out “the many possible ways to continue this work for social justice.” Over pizza and refreshments provided by Gwend Johnson, the interns shared favorite memories of their summer of labor and community activism in metro Washington.
- report/photo by Chris Garlock; photo: (l-r): Joseph Daniels, Jasmine Butler, Ryan Carty, Lizet Ramirez, Jos Williams, Jennifer Tate (Union Summer supervisor), Jack Arlook, Boaz Young-El, Essie Ablavsky

TODAY'S LABOR HISTORY: George Meany (l), plumber, founding AFL-CIO president, born in City Island, Bronx. A complex labor leader, he proudly claimed to have "never walked a picket line," yet also firmly said that “You only make progress by fighting for progress.” Meany served as secretary-treasurer of the AFL from 1940 to 1952, succeeded as president of the AFL, and then continued as president of the AFL-CIO following the historic merger in 1955 until retiring in 1979 (1894); Homer Martin (r), early United Auto Workers leader, born in Marion, Ill. (1902); Congress passes the National Apprenticeship Act, establishing a national advisory committee to research and draft regulations establishing minimum standards for apprenticeship programs. It was later amended to permit the Labor Dept. to issue regulations protecting the health, safety and general welfare of apprentices, and to encourage the use of contracts in their hiring and employment (1937); National Agricultural Workers Union merges into Amalgamated Meat Cutters & Butcher Workmen (1960); International Union of Wood, Wire & Metal Lathers merges with United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners (1979). More info & ammo for unionists is available online from Union Communication Services. Photos courtesy Life magazine

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Material published in UNION CITY may be freely reproduced by any recipient; please credit the Council as the source.

Published by the Metropolitan Washington Council, an AFL-CIO "Union City" Central Labor Council whose 200 affiliated union locals represent 150,000 area union members. JOSLYN N. WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT.

Story suggestions, event announcements, campaign reports, Letters to the Editor and other material are welcome, subject to editing for clarity and space, and should be directed to:

Editor: Chris Garlock
Assistant Editor: Adam Wright
streetheat@dclabor.org
Voice: 202-974-8153
Fax: 202-974-8152

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UNION CITY! 08/13/2010

2010-08-13T03:02:00.000-07:00

TODAY'S LABOR NEWS

City Education Workers'
"Rally For Justice" Today
DC Labor-To-Labor
GOTV Kickoff Saturday
L.A. Rallies For Jobs
Across Country
Weekend Labor History

ON THE LINE
Today, August 13 8A:
Walk The Line With
Striking Daycon Workers!
Today, August 13, 9:45A:
Labor On The Air: Latest Local
Labor News Updates With Metro
Council President Joslyn Williams
Today, August 13 10A:
AFSCME 2921's
"Rally For Justice"
Saturday, August 14 10A:
2010 Labor-To-Labor GOTV Walk
Saturday, August 14 2P:
Celebrate Social Security's
75th Birthday With Labor
Sunday, August 15 7:30A:
Broadcast Technicians
Picket NBC
Sunday, August 15 12P:
DC JwJ's Protest Against
The Arizona Diamondbacks

Friday, August 13, 2010

CITY EDUCATION WORKERS' "RALLY FOR JUSTICE" TODAY: Para-professionals and clerical staff at several DC agencies - members of AFSCME Local 2921 - will demonstrate outside DC Public Schools headquarters in the District's northeast at 10A this morning to protest being "targeted and run over by management and their lawyers." Click here for details and watch the Metro Washington Council AFL-CIO's website for coverage and photos from the rally later today.

DC LABOR-TO-LABOR GOTV KICKOFF SATURDAY: Area union members and labor allies - led by the Metro Washington Council, AFL-CIO - will officially launch labor's 2010 get-out-the-vote campaign this Saturday to help elect labor-endorsed candidates in the District of Columbia's September Primary Election. Union volunteers will distribute literature in Ward 5 on Saturday and are encouraged to wear their union colors. Click here for details; please contact Alya Solomon at asolomon@dclabor.org or 202-974-8222 to register to volunteer and for more information. “Prince George's County and Montgomery County COPE walks will officially begin next Saturday, August 21,” adds Metro Council Political and Legislative Coordinator Rick Powell; watch Union City for details. - photo: AFL-CIO Union Summer Interns worked tirelessly all week preparing materials for Saturday's GOTV efforts; photo by Adam Wright

L.A. RALLIES FOR JOBS ACROSS COUNTRY: Thousands of working people will join community and labor leaders from across the country for a massive rally for good jobs in California and nationwide. Rallying in front of City Hall in Los Angeles (part of the AFL-CIO's 5 States/5 Cities strategic plan that includes Washington DC), participants - including AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Letter Carriers President Fredric Rolando, and labor and community leaders -- will call for leaders and candidates to make a serious commitment to good jobs that can't be outsourced. The massive rally in Los Angeles is part of a national call for decisive action to create good jobs and the election of leaders who will move the nation forward. "We all know somebody who has been laid off from work and looking for a job for months or even years," notes Metro Washington Council President Jos Williams. "It's time for local leaders to show they are absolutely dedicated to fighting for good jobs in America and keeping us on the path forward. As we head to the polls in November, voters will be ready to stand with those leaders who have demonstrated a real commitment to jobs and will remember who turned their backs on working people." The fight for jobs then hits the airwaves coast-to-coast on MSNBC at 5:30 PM Eastern as President Trumka goes straight from the jobs rally to take the message national on the Hardball show on MSNBC. - Chris Garlock; photo by Oliver Quillia/CNBC

WEEKEND LABOR HISTORY: Striking miners at Tracy City, Tenn., capture their mines and free 300 state convict strikebreakers. The convicts had been "leased" to mineowners by officials in an effort to make prisons self-supporting and make a few bucks for the state. The practice started in 1866 and lasted for 30 years (8/13/1892); Newspaper Guild members begin three-month strike of Hearst-owned Seattle Post-Intelligencer, shutting the publication down in their successful fight for union recognition (8/13/1936); Civil rights leader and union president A. Philip Randolph strongly protests the AFL-CIO Executive Council's failure to endorse the August 28 "March on Washington" (8/13/1963); President Roosevelt signs the Social Security Act (r), providing, for the first time ever, guaranteed income for retirees and creating a system of unemployment benefits (8/14/1935); Members of the upstart Polish union Solidarity seize the Lenin shipyard in Gdansk. Sixteen days later the government officially recognizes the union. Many consider the event the beginning of the end for the Iron Curtain (8/14/1980); Former AFL-CIO president Lane Kirkland (l) dies at age 77 (8/14/1999); Populist social commentator Will Rogers killed in a plane crash, Point Barrow, Alaska. One of his many classic lines: "I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts" (8/15/1935); President Richard M. Nixon announces a 90-day freeze on wages, prices and rents in an atempt to combat inflation (8/15/1971); Gerry Horgan, chief steward of CWA Local 1103 and NYNEX striker in Valhalla, NY, is struck on the picket line by a car driven by the daughter of a plant manager and dies the following day. What was to become a four-month strike over healthcare benefits was in its second week (8/15/1989); More info & ammo for unionists is available online from Union Communication Services. - photo (right) courtesy IAM (left) courtesy CFCE

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Material published in UNION CITY may be freely reproduced by any recipient; please credit the Council as the source.

Published by the Metropolitan Washington Council, an AFL-CIO "Union City" Central Labor Council whose 200 affiliated union locals represent 150,000 area union members. JOSLYN N. WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT.

Story suggestions, event announcements, campaign reports, Letters to the Editor and other material are welcome, subject to editing for clarity and space, and should be directed to:

Editor: Chris Garlock
Assistant Editor: Adam Wright
streetheat@dclabor.org
Voice: 202-974-8153
Fax: 202-974-8152

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UNION CITY! 08/12/2010

2010-08-12T03:06:00.000-07:00

TODAY'S LABOR NEWS

New UFCW 400 President
McNutt Building For Power
Raid On UFCW 1994 Ends
DC Nurses Endorse
Mendelson For
City Council
Labor Passages: Longtime
Labor, Political Activist
Betty Miller Dies At 91
Today’s Labor History

ON THE LINE
Today, August 12 8A:
Walk The Line With
Striking Daycon Workers!

Thursday, August 12, 2010

NEW UFCW 400 PRESIDENT MCNUTT BUILDING FOR POWER: “There is power in numbers,” said Thomas P. McNutt (r) upon taking office as UFCW Local 400 President. “We are going to grow our union in order to strengthen our power to improve our members’ lives. The more our union grows, the more clout we have at the bargaining table and in the corridors of power." McNutt -- elected by the Local 400 Executive Board to fill the remainder of retiring President Jim Lowthers’ term -- was sworn in May 4 and is profiled in the most recent edition of Local 400's "Union Leader." Added new Secretary-Treasurer Mark Federici, “We are going to be aggressive in maximizing every opportunity to win gains for our members at the bargaining table, in Congress and the state legislatures, and in every other venue.” Federici was previously Local 400’s executive assistant to the president and director of strategic programs. McNutt has been a UFCW member since 1975 and a member of Local 400 for 22 years, Over his 35-year career McNutt has been a bag boy, clerk, shop steward, union organizer, union representative, and, from 1997 to 2010, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 400. "We are going to recruit a volunteer army second to none," says McNutt. "We’re going to train our member activists and give them the skills to do what they do best...There’s so much our members have to offer and so much we can achieve." McNutt also discussed Local 400's support for Teamster 639's strike against Daycon (“Local 400 Supports Striking Daycon Workers, p23), noting that "every local union leader in our area is a friend of Local 400 and every union member in our area is a brother or sister. The only way we’re going to grow is if we’re unified. And the only way workers in our area will see their economic standing rise is if we grow." Click here for McNutt's profile (McNutt Sworn in as Local 400 President, p 14) and his views on the future of Local 400 (Tom McNutt Speaks Out, p 16). - Chris Garlock; photo courtesy Union Leader

RAID ON UFCW 1994 ENDS: The raid on UFCW Local 1994's units is officially over. "The UFCW International and the International representing the raiding organization signed a binding agreement this week," reports Local 1994 President Gino Renne. "Staff representatives who were soliciting for signatures have left town." As previously reported (New York Group Trying To Raid UFCW In Montgomery County), the National Corrections Employees Union (NCEU) from Massachusetts and the New York-based United Public Service Employees Union (UPSEU) have been soliciting Local 1994 members for signatures on a decertification petition, but have now withdrawn after realizing "that our members were not persuaded by the misrepresentations they made about our accomplishments," said Renne. "Thank you, brothers and sisters, for standing up for your union. Together we are united." Click here for Local 1994's report. - photo: dozens of Montgomery County government workers rallied against “scab unions” UPSEU and NCEU in July, 2010; photo by Boaz Young-El, AFL-CIO Union Summer Intern

DC NURSES ENDORSE MENDELSON FOR CITY COUNCIL: The District of Columbia Nurses Association has endorsed Phil Mendelson’s candidacy for At-Large Councilmember in the upcoming September Primary Election. “Councilmember Mendelson has consistently supported registered nurses in their efforts to improve health care and advocate on behalf of their patients,” said DCNA President Carole Hennessey in an August 4 press release. DCNA represents approximately 2000 registered nurses and other health care professionals working in the District of Columbia. Click here for a complete list of labor-endorsed candidates on the Metropolitan Washington Council AFL-CIO’s website. - photo: "All workers must have the right to organize," declared DC Councilmember Phil Mendelson (at left), who then led a chant of "Boycott! Boycott!" at the hotel worker demonstration outside the Westin City Center in March, 2010; photo by Adam Wright

LABOR PASSAGES: Longtime Labor, Political Activist Betty Miller Dies At 91: Lifelong labor union and political activist Betty Miller (l), 91, known for her boundless energy and drive, died on August 7. “Betty believed in action,” reports CLUW’s Carolyn Jacobson, “and throughout her life went to bat for the causes she believed in, often leading the charge.” A memorial celebration will be held at 2p Saturday, September 11 at the National Labor College. Miller worked as a "Rosie the Riveter" at a plant in Baltimore during World War II, helping screw in the nosecones of B29 bombers. She married fellow New Yorker Saul Miller – the former AFL-CIO director of publications -- soon after the war, and worked as a union organizer and reporter in a number of cities. After they settled in the Washington area in 1952, Betty raised their four children while working full time at positions that included Assistant Executive Secretary at the Montgomery County Education Association; AFSCME Education Director and Assistant to the President, and Director of Contract Administration at the Department of Labor, where she retired in 1984. Click here for Miller’s complete obituary.
- photo courtesy Carolyn Jacobson

TODAY'S LABOR HISTORY: The national Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners is founded in Chicago in a gathering of 36 carpenters from 11 cities (1881); Coal company guards kill 7, wound 40 miners who are trying to stop scabs, Virden, Ill. (1898); With the news that their boss, Florenz Ziegfeld, was joining the Producing Managers’ Assn., the chorus girls in his Ziegfield Follies create their own union, the Chorus Equity Assn. They were helped by a big donation from superstar and former chorus girl Lillian Russell. In 1955 the union merged with the Actor’s Equity Assn. (1919); Teamsters official William Grami is kidnapped, bound and beaten near Sebastopol, Calif. He was leading a drive to organize apple plant workers in the area (1955); The North American Free Trade Agreement—NAFTA— was concluded between the United States, Canada and Mexico, despite protests from labor, environmental and human rights groups. It went into effect in January, 1994 (1992); What was to become a 232-day strike by major league baseball players over owners' demands for team salary caps began on this day; 938 games were cancelled (1994); More info & ammo for unionists is available online from Union Communication Services. - photo: portion of the Virden, IL Massacre Memorial; photo courtesy Labor Beat

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Material published in UNION CITY may be freely reproduced by any recipient; please credit the Council as the source.

Published by the Metropolitan Washington Council, an AFL-CIO "Union City" Central Labor Council whose 200 affiliated union locals represent 150,000 area union members. JOSLYN N. WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT.

Story suggestions, event announcements, campaign reports, Letters to the Editor and other material are welcome, subject to editing for clarity and space, and should be directed to:

Editor: Chris Garlock
Assistant Editor: Adam Wright
streetheat@dclabor.org
Voice: 202-974-8153
Fax: 202-974-8152

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UNION CITY! Hiring Hall 08/11/2010

2010-08-11T03:01:00.000-07:00

TODAY'S LABOR NEWS

Labor To Celebrate Social
Security’s 75th Birthday
Defending
Education Workers
DCLabor Nears
400 Followers
Today's Labor History
Hiring Hall Weekly
Round Up – 6 New Jobs!

ON THE LINE
Today, August 11 8A:
Walk The Line With
Striking Daycon Workers!

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

LABOR TO CELEBRATE SOCIAL SECURITY’S 75TH BIRTHDAY: Labor and community allies will celebrate the 75th birthday of Social Security this Saturday at the Greenbelt Community Center in Maryland. “Drop by to show your support for protecting Social Security and Medicare from any benefit cuts or raising of the retirement age,” say event organizers, which include National Nurses United/California Nurses Association, the Metropolitan Washington Council AFL-CIO, and the Labor Campaign for Single Payer Healthcare. Invited guests include Senator Benjamin Cardin, Senator Barbara Mikulski, Governor Martin O’Malley, Rep. Steny Hoyer, Rep. Elijah Cummings, Rep. Donna Edwards and Rep. Chris Van Hollen. Social Security was signed into law by Franklin D. Roosevelt on August 14, 1935, and has become the largest government social insurance program in the world. Click here for details. - photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images

DEFENDING EDUCATION WORKERS: “This rally will highlight the outrageous treatment of workers by the Fenty administration,” says Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO President Jos Williams, referring to AFSCME 2921’s “Rally For Justice” this Friday to defend Para-professionals and clerical staff who work at DCPS, Head Start, OPEFM and OSSE. “The problems in the educational system are a consequence of an administration that has no compassion or care for its employees.” The workers charge that they are being forced to work out of classification and are to perform overtime without compensation; that their jobs are being “contracted out”; that they have been working without a contract for three years; and that they are subject to the implementation of “unfair IMPACT evaluation systems,” among other issues. Williams adds, “These workers are the individuals who are on the front line of taking care of our most precious assets - our children.” The rally is scheduled this Friday, 10A-12P outside DCPS headquarters in the District’s northeast; click here for details. - photo by Adam Wright

DCLABOR NEARS 400 FOLLOWERS: Almost 400 union members and labor activists are the first to hear about job postings, labor events and updates in the DC area via the Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO’s Twitter account, DCLabor. Got labor news? Tweet us! Click here to sign up free today! To get the tweets as text messages, make sure you set "device updates" to ON when you follow us.

TODAY'S LABOR HISTORY: Federal troops drive some 1,200 jobless workers from Washington D.C. Led by unemployed activist Charles "Hobo" Kelley the group's "soldiers" include young journalist Jack London (l) and William Haywood, a young miner-cowboy called "Big Bill" (1884); One hundred "platform men" employed by the privately owned United Railroads streetcar service in San Francisco abandon their streetcars, tying up many of the main lines in and out of the city center (1917); International Longshoremen's and Warehousemen's Union receives CIO charter (1937); More info & ammo for unionists is available online from Union Communication Services.
- photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons

HIRING HALL WEEKLY ROUND UP
Click here for full details & complete union jobs postings from the past month. Email streetheat@dclabor.org to post an opening!

ACCOUNTING & LEGAL
Law Clerks (8/10)
UFCW

MISC
Bilingual Spanish Grievance Representative Coordinator (8/10)
SEIU 32BJ

Education Coordinator (8/10)
AFSCME

Grant Writer/Coordinator (8/10)
CASA de Maryland

Health Policy Director (8/10)
SEIU

Staff Specialist (8/10)
AFSCME

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Material published in UNION CITY may be freely reproduced by any recipient; please credit the Council as the source.

Published by the Metropolitan Washington Council, an AFL-CIO "Union City" Central Labor Council whose 200 affiliated union locals represent 150,000 area union members. JOSLYN N. WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT.

Story suggestions, event announcements, campaign reports, Letters to the Editor and other material are welcome, subject to editing for clarity and space, and should be directed to:

Editor: Chris Garlock
Assistant Editor: Adam Wright
streetheat@dclabor.org
Voice: 202-974-8153
Fax: 202-974-8152

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UNION CITY! 08/10/2010

2010-08-10T03:02:00.000-07:00

TODAY'S LABOR NEWS

Labor Launches
Local GOTV Efforts
Labor On The Move:
Durazo & Andrews
Elected To AFL-CIO
Executive Council
Today's Labor History

ON THE LINE
Today, August 10 8A:
Walk The Line With
Striking Daycon Workers!

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

LABOR LAUNCHES LOCAL GOTV EFFORTS: With less than five weeks until voters hit the polls for the September Primary Election –scheduled Tuesday, September 14 – the Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO will kick off a major Get Out The Vote (GOTV) campaign this Saturday to help elect labor-endorsed candidates in the metro-area. “Union members have a history of high voter participation,” says Metropolitan Washington Council President Jos Williams. “In an election of this kind, where there will be early voting, our participation is more crucial. Our members have a lot riding on this election and if we are to protect working families interests, it is essential that we vote early and participate in the Election Day activities.” Union members in DC and Maryland are encouraged to get involved with labor-to-labor efforts, including precinct walks, mailings and phone-banking where possible; please contact Alya Solomon at asolomon@dclabor.org or 202-974-8222 for DC or Rick Powell at rpowell@dclabor.org or 202-974-8154 for MD to volunteer. Click here for details on Saturday’s GOTV efforts, and here for the full list of labor-endorsed candidates.

LABOR ON THE MOVE: Durazo & Andrews Elected To AFL-CIO Executive Council: The AFL-CIO recently elected Maria Elena Durazo (left), Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Los Angeles County AFL-CIO, and James Andrews (below), President of the North Carolina AFL-CIO, to two newly-created seats on the AFL-CIO’s Executive Council. "The new members of the Executive Council represent workers in all professions across the country who are working to make their workplaces and communities better," said AFL-CIO President Richard L. Trumka. "I look forward to working with our new members who bring great experience, energy and new ideas to the AFL-CIO Executive Council.” Before leading the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, Durazo served as President of UNITE HERE Local 11. In 1996, she became the first Latina elected to the Executive Board of HERE International and in 2004 she became Executive Vice President of UNITE HERE International. Andrews served as the North Carolina State AFL-CIO’s Secretary-Treasurer for 13 years before being elected President. Originally from Warren County, NC, he helped organize a union at his plant in Henderson before becoming Director of NC Frontlash in 1974. A Vietnam veteran and recipient of the Purple Heart, James is the first full-time elected African-American state federation president in the country’s history. The new positions were created by the AFL-CIO Executive Council “for the purpose of promoting and establishing diversity as well as giving a greater role to state and local labor leaders,” reports the AFL-CIO. – photo (left) courtesy YWCA, (right) courtesy NC AFL-CIO

TODAY'S LABOR HISTORY: The Air Line Pilots Association is founded at a meeting in Chicago attended by 24 activists from across the country (1931); President Roosevelt signs amendments to the 1935 Social Security Act, broadening the program to include dependents and survivors' benefits (1939); Construction on the St. Lawrence Seaway begins. Ultimately 22,000 workers spent five years building the 2,342 mile route from the Atlantic to the northernmost part of the Great Lakes (1954); I.W. Abel (left), president of the United Steel Workers of America from 1965 to 1977, dies at age 79 (1987); More info & ammo for unionists is available online from Union Communication Services.
- photo courtesy USW

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Material published in UNION CITY may be freely reproduced by any recipient; please credit the Council as the source.

Published by the Metropolitan Washington Council, an AFL-CIO "Union City" Central Labor Council whose 200 affiliated union locals represent 150,000 area union members. JOSLYN N. WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT.

Story suggestions, event announcements, campaign reports, Letters to the Editor and other material are welcome, subject to editing for clarity and space, and should be directed to:

Editor: Chris Garlock
Assistant Editor: Adam Wright
streetheat@dclabor.org
Voice: 202-974-8153
Fax: 202-974-8152

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UNION CITY! 08/09/2010

2010-08-09T03:00:00.000-07:00

TODAY'S LABOR NEWS

Para-Professionals,
Clerical Staff To
“Rally For Justice”
NBC-Universal
Workers’ Fight Continues
Today’s Labor History

ON THE LINE
Today, August 9 8A:
Walk The Line With
Striking Daycon Workers!

Monday, August 9, 2010

PARA-PROFESSIONALS, CLERICAL STAFF TO “RALLY FOR JUSTICE”: Members and staff of AFSCME Local 2921 – which represents Para-professionals and clerical staff at DCPS, Head Start, OPEFM and OSSE – will rally at 10A this Friday outside DCPS headquarters to protest being “targeted and run over by management and their lawyers.” AFSCME Local 2921 President Michael Flood told Union City that workers have been the target of attacks by management that have led to tenured workers being “RIF’ed, excessed, fired and reclassified out of union jobs.” He added, “AFSCME Local 2921 is faced with the paramount task of fighting for the rights and dignity of our members who have been targeted and fired along with DCPS teachers. We have lost several hundred members in the past two years and we need the labor community’s help this Friday to make the public aware of the serious problem that we are facing.” Click here for details. - Essie Ablavsky, AFL-CIO Union Summer Intern

NBC-UNIVERSAL WORKERS’ FIGHT CONTINUES: Workers at NBC Washington – who have been without a contract since Spring 2009 – are still embroiled in ongoing contract negotiations, reports NABET-CWA Staff Representative Carrie Biggs-Adams (at left). “There are rumors that we’re about to close a deal, but we still don’t have anything to vote on,” Biggs-Adams told Union City late last week. “The major sticking point in the negotiations is the issue of jurisdiction - NBC-Universal has been combining the positions of camera people, those who write and produce the news and editors.” The union has filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board and workers are picketing outside NBC studios in the District’s Northwest every Sunday. “This is a vigil for our labor rights as much as it is a protest,” says Biggs-Adams. “We are thankful for the support shown by the community. Unfortunately, the protracted negotiations have been hard on workers, who have not seen a raise in two years.” The union urges people to help support the workers by signing a pledge to “turn off channel 4,” which will be distributed to passersby every Sunday between 7:30A and 10A; click here for details. - Essie Ablavsky, AFL-CIO Union Summer Intern; photo by Adam Wright

TODAY’S LABOR HISTORY: Twenty people, including at least nine firefighters, are killed in Boston’s worst fire. It consumed 65 downtown acres and 776 buildings over 12 hours (1872); Knights of Labor strike New York Central railroad, ultimately to be defeated by scabbing (1890); Nine men and one woman meet in Oakland, Calif. to form what was to become the 230,000-member California School Employees Association, representing school support staff throughout the state (1927); United Papermakers & Paperworkers merge with Int'l Brotherhood of Pulp, Sulphite & Paper Mill Workers of the US & Canada to become United Paperworkers International Union (1972); 73,000 Bell Atlantic workers end a successful two-day strike over wages and limits on contracting out of work (1998); The United Steel Workers and Amicus, the largest manufacturing union in the United Kingdom, announce formation of a strategic alliance to work on a range of mutual concerns (2005); More info & ammo for unionists is available online from Union Communication Services.

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Material published in UNION CITY may be freely reproduced by any recipient; please credit the Council as the source.

Published by the Metropolitan Washington Council, an AFL-CIO "Union City" Central Labor Council whose 200 affiliated union locals represent 150,000 area union members. JOSLYN N. WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT.

Story suggestions, event announcements, campaign reports, Letters to the Editor and other material are welcome, subject to editing for clarity and space, and should be directed to:

Editor: Chris Garlock
Assistant Editor: Adam Wright
streetheat@dclabor.org
Voice: 202-974-8153
Fax: 202-974-8152

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UNION CITY! 08/06/2010

2010-08-06T03:56:00.000-07:00

TODAY'S LABOR NEWS

Gray Defeats Fenty
In Straw Poll
Engineers Win Election
At FDA Federal Center
Singing Out
For Your Union
Weekend Labor History

ON THE LINE
Today, August 6 8A:
Walk The Line With
Striking Daycon Workers!

Friday, August 6, 2010

GRAY DEFEATS FENTY IN STRAW POLL: District police were called out to direct traffic and maintain order as hundreds of Ward 4 residents – many of them union members – turned out in droves to vote for Vince Gray for DC Mayor in Wednesday night's Ward 4 Democratic straw poll at Saint Georges Church. Gray served up an embarrassing loss to Mayor Adrian Fenty in his home base, winning the poll with 581 votes to Fenty’s 401. “Tension filled the air as people stood in line, which was wrapped around the block, in the sweltering heat, for two hours chanting in support of their candidate,” Alya Solomon, Assistant Political Coordinator for the Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO told Union City. “This overwhelming victory for Gray shows us that Fenty has lost his base and can be beaten come September 14.” Click here for coverage in The Georgetown Dish. – photo: Vicent Gray leaving Ward 4 endorsement forum; photo by RJ Smith/The Georgetown Dish

ENGINEERS WIN ELECTION AT FDA FEDERAL CENTER: On Monday August 2, twelve engineers won a union election at Brooks & Brooks Services Inc., joining the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 99 at the FDA Federal Center in White Oak, Maryland. The plant is part of a 50-year plan at that location and provides power, steam, and chilled water for the 78-acre facility. Although the union had originally secured a card-check agreement with Brooks & Brooks Services Inc., the company pushed for an election instead but refused to allow an on-site vote, forcing the election to be conducted by mail. “Despite the relatively small size of this unit, it’s a huge victory that gives a foothold in a state-of-the-art plant that will provide good jobs for decades to come,” said IUOE 99 Business Manager Michael Murphy. “We congratulate the employees and welcome them into our union.” The workers won the election by a margin of better than 2:1. – Essie Ablavsky, AFL-CIO Union Summer Intern

SINGING OUT FOR YOUR UNION: Are you a union member with musical talent? Union Plus is sponsoring the Union Song Contest where entrants can win a $2000 cash prize. To enter, simply write a song about the things you like about your union and submit it online by September 6, 2010. The Union Song Contest is brought to you by Union Privilege, the provider of Union Plus benefits founded by the AFL-CIO in 1986. Union members, retirees and their families are automatically eligible for their union’s Union Plus benefits, including scholarships, legal services, financial services and discounts on everything from travel to flowers. Click here for more details and to submit your song.
- Joseph Daniels, AFL-CIO Union Summer Intern

WEEKEND LABOR HISTORY: Cigarmakers' International Union of America merges with Retail, Wholesale & Department Store Union (8/6/1974); American Railway Supervisors Association merges with Brotherhood of Railway, Airline & Steamship Clerks, Freight Handlers, Express & Station Employees (8/6/1980); Brotherhood of Railway Carmen of the US & Canada merges with Brotherhood of Railway, Airline & Steamship Clerks, Freight Handlers, Express & Station Employees (8/6/1986); Elizabeth Gurley Flynn (l), Wobblie organizer, born (8/7/1890); Eugene Debs and three other trade unionists arrested after Pullman Strike (8/7/1894); Actors Equity is recognized by producers after stagehands honor their picket lines, shutting down almost every professional stage production in the country. Before unionizing, it was common practice for actors to pay for their own costumes, rehearse long hours without pay, and be fired without notice (8/7/1919); United Slate, Tile & Composition Roofers, Damp & Waterproof Workers Association change name to Roofers, Waterproofers & Allied Workers (8/7/1978); Some 675,000 employees struck ATT Corp. over wages, job security, pension plan changes and better health insurance. It was the last time CWA negotiated at one table for all its Bell System members: divestiture came a few months later. The strike was won after 22 days (8/7/1983); Television writers, members of The Writers Guild of America, end a 22-week strike with a compromise settlement (8/7/1988); Delegates to the St. Paul Trades and Labor Assembly elect 35-year-old Charles James (r), leader of the Boot and Shoe Workers local union, as their president. He was the first African-American elected to that leadership post in St. Paul, many believe the first in the nation (8/8/1902); Cripple Creek, Colo. miners strike begins (8/8/1903); Amalgamated Meat Cutters & Butcher Workmen of North America merge with Retail Clerks International Union to become United Food & Commercial Workers (8/8/1979); Cesar Chavez is posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Bill Clinton, becoming the first Mexican-American ever to receive the honor (8/8/1994); More info & ammo for unionists is available online from Union Communication Services. - photo (left) courtesy Library of Congress, (right) courtesy Workday Minnesota

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Material published in UNION CITY may be freely reproduced by any recipient; please credit the Council as the source.

Published by the Metropolitan Washington Council, an AFL-CIO "Union City" Central Labor Council whose 200 affiliated union locals represent 150,000 area union members. JOSLYN N. WILLIAMS, PRESIDENT.

Story suggestions, event announcements, campaign reports, Letters to the Editor and other material are welcome, subject to editing for clarity and space, and should be directed to:

Editor: Chris Garlock
Assistant Editor: Adam Wright
streetheat@dclabor.org
Voice: 202-974-8153
Fax: 202-974-8152

Forward UNION CITY! to all your friends and colleagues or click here to spread the word!

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