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Labor Radio–Podcast Weekly: Immigrant Solidarity, Oral History and More
Labor Radio-Podcast Weekly
The latest episode of the "Labor Radio–Podcast Weekly" features immigrant solidarity, oral history and more. This week’s highlights from labor radio and podcast shows focusing on working people include:
“You know, I'm not just the epithet that they give me, we shape history every day and collective actions here could shape history in a new way,” Cristobal Cavazos of Immigrant Solidarity DuPage on "Labor Express Radio," Chicago's only English-language labor news and current affairs radio program.
“My Pietro. He worked in the sheds for 15 years. Always he was not satisfied. Always, he said someday he would find other work. But no other work he found.” That’s from the latest episode of "En Masse," where interdisciplinary artist, labor activist and political educator Liz Medina brings together oral histories and social theory with stories of struggle and hope from the working class.
In addition, sisters, who are members of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART),...
Save the News: Meet Andy Nguyen
The NewsGuild-CWA member Andy Nguyen didn’t think he was going to lose his job when he received the email for the “all-staff” meeting. But that is exactly what happened. Dozens of journalists got laid off, including him, because of the financial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Learn more about how journalists and the whole journalism industry are being affected during these dangerous times.
Kenneth Quinnell
Thu, 05/28/2020 - 11:18
Chinese American UNITE HERE Member Shares Her COVID-19 Story
This week we are lifting up Andee Huang, a laid-off Chinese American hotel worker from Boston and a member of UNITE HERE Local 26. She'd been working at the Westin Boston Waterfront for 13 years. Ever since she and all her co-workers lost their jobs in March, Huang has been helping other workers apply for unemployment, food assistance and other needs.
Huang says: "We need to stand up and fight until we win." That’s why we are fighting for major changes that will bring us through COVID-19 as safe as possible and build strong and prepared communities for the future.
Join us to support the Paycheck Guarantee Act to end mass unemployment and return millions of workers back to payroll and health care.
Join us to protect essential workers.
Kenneth Quinnell
Tue, 05/26/2020 - 10:55
Tags:
COVID-19, Community Service
Service + Solidarity: Meet Jennifer Cody
Jennifer Cody is an actress from New York and a member of the Actors' Equity. Her industry is 100% unemployed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Broadway is closed for the indefinite future. Learn more about how dancers, singers and the rest of her community are affected during these dangerous times.
Kenneth Quinnell
Fri, 05/22/2020 - 10:53
Tags:
COVID-19
Maine AFL-CIO Is Using All the Digital Tools in Its Toolbox to Help Workers
Maine AFL-CIO
With unprecedented numbers of Mainers out of work due to the coronavirus pandemic, the state’s labor movement is deploying digital tools in innovative ways to help workers who are being impacted by COVID-19. The Maine AFL-CIO is using a full range of online platforms to support those who are applying for unemployment insurance (UI) and pressure policymakers to fix the system.
Like many states, Maine’s UI system was unprepared for the crisis and has been overwhelmed by the volume of claims. President Cynthia Phinney (IBEW) of the Maine AFL-CIO explained: “After eight years with an anti-worker governor, there are so many hurdles that people have to jump through to access the benefits that they’re entitled to. The system was designed to prevent people from getting even a single dollar if they’re not supposed to, rather than have as its top priority helping workers who are unemployed.”
The state federation is responding to this challenge by using all the digital tools in its toolbox. There is a new page on its website devoted to...
Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Mine Workers Stand with Navajo People
AFL-CIO
During the COVID-19 pandemic, working people across the United States have stepped up to help out their friends, neighbors and communities. In our new Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we'll showcase one of those stories every day. Here's today's story.
Mine Workers (UMWA) President Cecil Roberts:
The coronavirus pandemic that has struck the United States has brought death and economic devastation in multiple regions, but none more so than the Navajo Nation, which has surpassed New York City as the region with the most COVID-19 cases per capita in America. We represent many thousands of Navajo workers, and our prayers are with those who have lost family members and those who are still struggling with this disease.
It is very troubling that critical federal support and supplies that were intended to go to the Navajo Nation were delayed or misdirected. The federal government has a special responsibility to provide support to Native American nations, many of which already suffered from chronic public health issues long before...
Labor Radio–Podcast Weekly: Essential Workers Bill of Rights, Kooper Caraway and More
Labor Radio-Podcast Weekly
The latest episode of the Labor Radio-Podcast Weekly features an Essential Workers Bill of Rights, Kooper Caraway and more. This week’s highlights include:
Belabored: Sarah Jaffe and Michelle Chen report on school employees in Minnesota fighting for safety on the job and an attempt to pass an Essential Workers Bill of Rights in New York City.
Stronger Together: The SEIU Local 503 podcast, where the latest episode focuses on the upcoming Oregon primary, which has both union members and strong union supporters running for office.
Workers Beat Radio: Host Gene Lantz talks with Sioux Falls Central Labor Council President Kooper Caraway, one of the youngest, most hopeful and most outspoken labor leaders in the country.
Labor History in 2:00: Brown v. Board of Education, the day the Supreme Court outlawed racial segregation in public education.
Check out all the Labor Radio/Podcast Network shows.
Kenneth Quinnell
Tue, 05/19/2020 - 12:41
Tags:...
Why Domestic Workers Like Nicanora Montenegro Should Be Considered Essential Workers
Nicanora Montenegro is a Filipina American in-home support services (IHSS) provider in San Diego and the district chair of United Domestic Workers of America (UDW)-AFSCME Local 3930. As an IHSS provider, she takes care of the most vulnerable folks in our community who are also the most at risk of COVID-19.
This pandemic has illustrated just how essential the often invisible and undervalued work that caregivers, like Montenegro, provide. Without them, front-line workers who are parents or have other family responsibilities wouldn’t be able to go to work, and older adults, people with disabilities and people with chronic illnesses would not be able to shelter in place.
Montenegro and her union have been fighting for the rights and respect that home care workers deserve like better wages, access to health care, paid sick days and more. It's well past time that we all recognize domestic workers as essential workers.
Join our calls to Congress to ensure ALL essential workers have the protections they need, the rights they are entitled to and the...
Fix Unemployment Programs: What Working People Are Doing This Week
AFL-CIO
Welcome to our regular feature, a look at what the various AFL-CIO unions and other working family organizations are doing across the country and beyond. The labor movement is big and active—here's a look at the broad range of activities we're engaged in this week.
Actors' Equity:
We are proud to do our part in support of the actors & stage managers out of work due to COVID-19, and have established the #CurtainUpFund. We hope that anyone who is able to support @TheActorsFund's vital social services and financial aid will join us - https://t.co/dbAvIoWxUM pic.twitter.com/XQMlnK1zxR
— Actors' Equity (@ActorsEquity) May 17, 2020
AFGE:
Not many people would trade jobs with those who have to keep watch over inmates in federal prisons. Now that job has become more dangerous as #COVID19 has spread in the prisons’ close quarters. #1u https://t.co/X7ZKgLGF3D
— AFGE (@AFGENational) May...
Worker Safety Must Come First: In the States Roundup
AFL-CIO
It's time once again to take a look at the ways working people are making progress in the states. Click on any of the links to follow the state federations on Twitter.
California Labor Federation:
“#AB3216 is critical legislation that prioritizes worker protections to meet the unprecedented challenges ahead. We must ensure that our North Star in reviving California’s economy is putting working people at the front of our recovery.” - @ArtPulaski
