Supermarket worker solidarity
“As a union, we stick together no matter where we work,” says UFCW Local 400. “So if your employer refuses to negotiate a fair contract, you can count on your fellow union members from across Local 400 and beyond to have your back.” That’s why Local 400 shop stewards at Giant and Safeway are hitting the streets this week to support fellow union members at Shoppers in their fight for a fair contract. The first took place yesterday (photo) at the Bowie Shoppers; another is set for Thursday at the New Carrollton Shoppers (details here). “We’re ready to mobilize our entire union to get the fair contract we deserve at Shoppers,” said Local 400.
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Commanding performance for CSA
The September 25th Labor Day with The Commanders football team was “a big success” reports CSA Executive Director Letycia Pastrana. CSA raised just over $5,000 for CSA’s Emergency Assistance Fund. “A special thank you to AFGE locals 1456 and 2798, AFSCME and to ATU 689 for their $5,000 contribution,” said Pastrana. Nearly 600 local union members and their families attended the event. AFGE hosted a well-attended tailgate party (photo) and among those in attendance was Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, who discussed labor’s priorities with local labor leaders, including MWC president Dyana Forester. “The Commanders event was such a success and so much fun that we’re working on another event with the team,” Pastrana said. “Stay tuned for details soon!”
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Tunisia public employees win 5 percent wage boost
Public employees across Tunisia won a 5 percent wage increase over three years plus financial benefits through revisions of the tax code, following a general strike and weeks of difficult negotiations, according to the Tunisian General Labor Union (UGTT). The agreement also increases the guaranteed minimum wage by 7 percent. The pact follows a one-day general strike in June by hundreds of thousands of public employees—including public employees, transportation workers, utility workers and health care workers from 159 state institutions and public companies across Tunisia. Find out more at Solidarity Center.
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Labor quote: Queen Elizabeth
“It’s all right, I was a mechanic during the war.”
During World War Two, at the age of eighteen, Elizabeth joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service and trained as a truck mechanic and driver. By the end of the war later that year, she had reached the rank of junior commander. The quote is from the first episode of ‘The Crown'; while on a trip to Kenya after the war, Elizabeth and Philip’s entourage struggles with a stalling car engine. Annoyed, the princess, played by Claire Foy, hops out of the car and tells them how to fix it. Thanks to Gillian Brockell, who covered this in her June 2019 article in The Washington Post.
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Today's Labor History
This week’s Labor History Today podcast: Socialist fairy tales. Last week’s show: Pueblo steelworkers’ historic strike.
Work begins on the carving of Mt. Rushmore (photo above), a task 400 craftsmen would eventually complete in 1941. Despite the dangerous nature of the project, not one worker died – 1927
President Truman orders the U.S. Navy to seize oil refineries, breaking a 20-state post-war strike - 1945
The United Mine Workers of America votes to reaffiliate with the AFL-CIO after years of on-and-off conflict with the federation. In 2009 the union’s leader, Richard Trumka, becomes AFL-CIO President – 1961
- David Prosten
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