4.26.2006
The Prostitutes' Union
I love this article from The Scientific American, which reports on an alternative form of collective bargaining: the negotiation of condoms by sex workers in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), India. In their case, solidarity is not channeled toward winning wages increases or better benefits, it is focused on supporting the use of condoms. According to the article, other HIV-prevention efforts, like education of sex workers, counseling, or condom distrbution don't work because "if a prostitute insisted on condom use, her customer just went to someone else."
The founder of the collective states, "Counseling, educating--it just doesn't work...Higher up in the social hierarchy, people are able to act on the information given to them. Not so in the lower levels." Basically, educate all you want, but if people don't have power to advocate for themselves, then nothing is going to change.
I think this "prostitutes' union" is inspiring because it highlights really innovative thinking about workers' rights, and shows an example of how unions can further the public good: by slowing HIV infection rates. Go worker power!
The founder of the collective states, "Counseling, educating--it just doesn't work...Higher up in the social hierarchy, people are able to act on the information given to them. Not so in the lower levels." Basically, educate all you want, but if people don't have power to advocate for themselves, then nothing is going to change.
I think this "prostitutes' union" is inspiring because it highlights really innovative thinking about workers' rights, and shows an example of how unions can further the public good: by slowing HIV infection rates. Go worker power!
3.27.2006
Retraining Laid-Off Workers, but for What?
Interesting article in the NYTimes about the closing of a United Airlines aircraft maintenance center in Indianapolis. It's a classic tale of union trying to assert its power and employer choosing outsourcing over negotiating with the union. The article isn't especially flattering of the union, but it strikes me that the union didn't really have any other choice. The "global economy" basically undermined any chance that the workers had of standing up to their employer. Some people might read the article and say that the workers shouldn't have been so "militant" or that they asked for too much, but what other options did they really have? I like this quote from the article in particular:
All in all, quite a sad story for these workers.
Saying that the country should solve the skills shortage through education and training became part of nearly every politician's stump speech, an innocuous way to address the politics of unemployment without strengthening either the bargaining leverage of workers or the federal government's role in bolstering labor markets.
All in all, quite a sad story for these workers.
3.06.2006
Back to Blogging
After a much too long sabbatical from blogging, I'm back. I just got internet access at my new apartment, so I should be able to blog anytime of the day or night without fear of my employer discovering my non-work-related activities. Prepare yourselves.
Anyway, I just wanted to highlight a couple of really exciting things that are going on with unions in the US - these are all very 'newsworthy' events, so you've probably come across them already...
1. UNITE!-HERE Hotel Worker's Rising Campaign is SO impressive and has been getting some really good publicity. They've identified Hilton as a major target and come out with an incredibly ambitious campaign plan for the next year. And this is a simple enough campaign to support - all you have to do is be a conscious consumer when you are making hotel arrangements. For more information on showing your solidarity with hotel workers who are striking, see http://www.unitehere.org/hotelguide/default.asp
2. The SEIU janitors at the University of Miami. These women and men are taking a huge risk by walking off the job without the protection of a union, but that's what they've got to do to get their union recognized. Donna Shalala, former Secretary of Health and Human Services under Clinton and current U of M President, acts more hypocritical every day in her refusal to support these workers' right to health insurance. And you've got to smile when you hear that her home gardeners walked off the job today in solidarity with the janitors!
3. And then there is the discussion over the immigration/guest worker bills. While the AFL-CIO and a number of other unions have come out against the McCain-Kennedy bill (which would allow undocumented workers to earn legal status), the SEIU and UNITE!-HERE are supporting it. Considering all the crazy talk going on around immigration these days (minutemen, building a fence on the border!), it makes me happy to see some unions taking a progressive stand on these issues.
So, in a time when there seems always to be so much bad news about unions, I thought I'd start back by talking about a few hopeful things.
Anyway, I just wanted to highlight a couple of really exciting things that are going on with unions in the US - these are all very 'newsworthy' events, so you've probably come across them already...
1. UNITE!-HERE Hotel Worker's Rising Campaign is SO impressive and has been getting some really good publicity. They've identified Hilton as a major target and come out with an incredibly ambitious campaign plan for the next year. And this is a simple enough campaign to support - all you have to do is be a conscious consumer when you are making hotel arrangements. For more information on showing your solidarity with hotel workers who are striking, see http://www.unitehere.org/hotelguide/default.asp
2. The SEIU janitors at the University of Miami. These women and men are taking a huge risk by walking off the job without the protection of a union, but that's what they've got to do to get their union recognized. Donna Shalala, former Secretary of Health and Human Services under Clinton and current U of M President, acts more hypocritical every day in her refusal to support these workers' right to health insurance. And you've got to smile when you hear that her home gardeners walked off the job today in solidarity with the janitors!
3. And then there is the discussion over the immigration/guest worker bills. While the AFL-CIO and a number of other unions have come out against the McCain-Kennedy bill (which would allow undocumented workers to earn legal status), the SEIU and UNITE!-HERE are supporting it. Considering all the crazy talk going on around immigration these days (minutemen, building a fence on the border!), it makes me happy to see some unions taking a progressive stand on these issues.
So, in a time when there seems always to be so much bad news about unions, I thought I'd start back by talking about a few hopeful things.
12.20.2005
NY Transit Strike
First the bad news:
"It's a pain in the neck," (a 28-year old foriegn currency analyst) said. "I'm very anti-union, especially this time of year. It's ridiculous. If you look what they're asking for, that's 50 years ago. Pensions don't work like that anymore."
Now the good news:
However, two other unions, which represent Metro-North ticket collectors and track workers, have vowed to show solidarity with Local 100 by refusing to cross picket lines, and they could conceivably delay, though not disrupt, regular train service.
12.13.2005
A Travelers Night - a poem by a NW airlines striker
A Travelers Night
By Mike Klemm
T’was the night before Christmas
as they stood side by side,
the weather was frigid but they walked with such pride.
I was traveling to Dallas, to Paris,
and Rome.
but stopped when I spotted these
marchers walking alone.
I looked at the travelers as they moved on their way,
they walked past our marchers
with nothing to say.
With bags filled with presents, for family and friends.
they moved through the airport
eager for their travels to end
Throughout the day and
into dusks waning light
the marchers held cadence
as they walked through the night.
While others stayed home all
snug and secure,
these marchers walked miles
Sub zero temps they endured.
On occasion a traveler would
glance toward these few,
and wonder what drives them
to come back each day anew.
I studied these marchers trying to listen to some,
what was their story,
from where had they come?
Mechanics, Cleaners, and Custodians
the signs they carried read,
these marchers were Union
a picket line they now tread.
Where once t’was their duty passenger safety they ensure,
now forced to the picket line
with conditions no one could endure
They struck for their jobs
for benefits and wages,
to battle mismanagement
that had plagued them for ages.
For on the backs of the workers
management will always lay blame,
unable to acknowledge it was their failure
their blunders
their shame.
I couldn’t help but wonder
of the picketers still home,
of these brave men and women
this Union marching alone.
As I stood watching these
brave picketers with such pride,
the thought of their struggle
brought forth tears
I could not hide.
For this battle is labor’s,
for workers of all kind,
but so many just stood silent, as if deaf and blind.
For Labor united,
cannot be undone,
how could they forget this lesson,
in blood labor had won.
As I stood there beside them
I could not help but weep,
not just for these workers
but all the others asleep.
For the Scabs, these betrayers
of their friends and of labor,
whose judgment is coming
for in hell they are favored.
I didn’t want to leave on
this cold winters night,
to leave these guardians of labor so willing to fight.
Then a picketer walked over
with a voice strong and true,
whispered
“Its alright Santa
we‘ve both work to do”.
“Remember our struggle, and how Labor still has fight”.
Watch out for stray parts from those Red Tails in flight.”
Merry Christmas,
to all
and
to all a good flight.
By Mike Klemm
T’was the night before Christmas
as they stood side by side,
the weather was frigid but they walked with such pride.
I was traveling to Dallas, to Paris,
and Rome.
but stopped when I spotted these
marchers walking alone.
I looked at the travelers as they moved on their way,
they walked past our marchers
with nothing to say.
With bags filled with presents, for family and friends.
they moved through the airport
eager for their travels to end
Throughout the day and
into dusks waning light
the marchers held cadence
as they walked through the night.
While others stayed home all
snug and secure,
these marchers walked miles
Sub zero temps they endured.
On occasion a traveler would
glance toward these few,
and wonder what drives them
to come back each day anew.
I studied these marchers trying to listen to some,
what was their story,
from where had they come?
Mechanics, Cleaners, and Custodians
the signs they carried read,
these marchers were Union
a picket line they now tread.
Where once t’was their duty passenger safety they ensure,
now forced to the picket line
with conditions no one could endure
They struck for their jobs
for benefits and wages,
to battle mismanagement
that had plagued them for ages.
For on the backs of the workers
management will always lay blame,
unable to acknowledge it was their failure
their blunders
their shame.
I couldn’t help but wonder
of the picketers still home,
of these brave men and women
this Union marching alone.
As I stood watching these
brave picketers with such pride,
the thought of their struggle
brought forth tears
I could not hide.
For this battle is labor’s,
for workers of all kind,
but so many just stood silent, as if deaf and blind.
For Labor united,
cannot be undone,
how could they forget this lesson,
in blood labor had won.
As I stood there beside them
I could not help but weep,
not just for these workers
but all the others asleep.
For the Scabs, these betrayers
of their friends and of labor,
whose judgment is coming
for in hell they are favored.
I didn’t want to leave on
this cold winters night,
to leave these guardians of labor so willing to fight.
Then a picketer walked over
with a voice strong and true,
whispered
“Its alright Santa
we‘ve both work to do”.
“Remember our struggle, and how Labor still has fight”.
Watch out for stray parts from those Red Tails in flight.”
Merry Christmas,
to all
and
to all a good flight.
**Thank you to Peter Rachleff for sharing this poem with the Working Class listserv**
11.21.2005
Why is being anti-union not embarrassing for progressive people?
Last week I met some friends at a local bar and a recurring problem popped up that I've been meaning to share with the blog-o-sphere. I met a friend of mine and her coworkers, and the topic of unions came up (as it always seems to with me). Two twenty-something guys I was with each said something like, oh, I don't support unions.
Now, one of these men admitted that he was a former hospital executive, so I guess his anti-union attitude is easy to explain (and ultimately, to dismiss). But the other is a young, progressive guy, who works on international development, is from a union-friendly place (Philadelphia) and even had family members who belonged to a union. And he's not alone - I meet people just like him probably weekly who just don't like unions.
So there are really two issues that come to mind for me here. First, why is this guy anti-union? This is clearly an important question, but I am going to leave it aside for now (primarily because I don't know the answer yet!). But the second issue is also perplexing: why is it politically correct in 2005 to openly say that you are anti-union? There are many progressive causes that have won the battle of political correctness (as least in progressive circles). It's not acceptable (almost regardless of your true feelings) to publicly state that 'I hate women,' or 'I hate gay people,' or 'I don't support civil rights." So, why is it ok for this generation of young progressives to run around saying they are anti-union?
One interesting thing to note, I think, is that people obviously differentiate between "union" and "worker." I doubt that even these progressive folks would say that they don't support the working class, or that they don't support workers, but they seem to feel fine saying that they don't support unions.
I'm not saying that the fight for political correctness is the most important fight of the day for labor, but I do think that have union-support among progressive people is really the baseline that we need to start building from. What do others think?
Now, one of these men admitted that he was a former hospital executive, so I guess his anti-union attitude is easy to explain (and ultimately, to dismiss). But the other is a young, progressive guy, who works on international development, is from a union-friendly place (Philadelphia) and even had family members who belonged to a union. And he's not alone - I meet people just like him probably weekly who just don't like unions.
So there are really two issues that come to mind for me here. First, why is this guy anti-union? This is clearly an important question, but I am going to leave it aside for now (primarily because I don't know the answer yet!). But the second issue is also perplexing: why is it politically correct in 2005 to openly say that you are anti-union? There are many progressive causes that have won the battle of political correctness (as least in progressive circles). It's not acceptable (almost regardless of your true feelings) to publicly state that 'I hate women,' or 'I hate gay people,' or 'I don't support civil rights." So, why is it ok for this generation of young progressives to run around saying they are anti-union?
One interesting thing to note, I think, is that people obviously differentiate between "union" and "worker." I doubt that even these progressive folks would say that they don't support the working class, or that they don't support workers, but they seem to feel fine saying that they don't support unions.
I'm not saying that the fight for political correctness is the most important fight of the day for labor, but I do think that have union-support among progressive people is really the baseline that we need to start building from. What do others think?
11.08.2005
Bad News about the Circulator
Those of us who live in and around DC have likely seen the new red buses, the Circulators, that travel a downtown loop from Union Station to Georgetown. My first impression was that this was a neat idea by metro to expand service and encourage the barrage of tourists to use our public transporation system.
Sadly, I learned this weekend (thanks to t.func) that there is a sad sad story behind these cute red buses. Even though you can use your smarttrip pass on the buses, these are not WMATA buses. In fact, this is the latest example of government contracting out services to private, anti-union, anti-worker businesses. In this case, these 29 buses are operated by FirstStudent of the UK. Yes, this is the same FirstStudent that is the target of SEIU and the UK Transport and General Workers Union joint campaign.
There are a lot of bad things about FirstStudent... here are just a few facts from the SEIU and TGW website:
Sadly, I learned this weekend (thanks to t.func) that there is a sad sad story behind these cute red buses. Even though you can use your smarttrip pass on the buses, these are not WMATA buses. In fact, this is the latest example of government contracting out services to private, anti-union, anti-worker businesses. In this case, these 29 buses are operated by FirstStudent of the UK. Yes, this is the same FirstStudent that is the target of SEIU and the UK Transport and General Workers Union joint campaign.
There are a lot of bad things about FirstStudent... here are just a few facts from the SEIU and TGW website:
-In a recent SEIU survey of First Student employees around the United States, 95 percent said that the company's health care plan was unaffordable, or poor and in need of improvement.So, what do we do? As a DC resident, I am certainly not going to recommend anyone use the Circulator. And we should all let the DC government know that we don't want cheaper services in exchange for lower standards. I think more public transport is a good idea, but I don't want private anti-worker companies providing these services. I guess that I don't really know what to do about this, but I'll start by telling everyone I know who is really providing these bus services, and at what cost.
-In Florida, First Student recently sent to employees three letters denigrating unions and encouraging workers to refuse to sign a union card if asked to do so by co-workers or union organizers.
-First Student recently held a training session in Florida in which company managers were encouraged to stop unionization among their employees. One document given to First Student managers stated: "Unions no longer serve any useful purpose. Their time has passed."
10.24.2005
Happy Take Back Your Time Day!
Today, October 24th, is Take Back Your Time Day! Take Back Your Time is a US/Canadian initative against "overwork, over-scheduling, and time poverty." The theme of this years Take Back Your Time Day is "40 is Enough" because today marks the 65th anniversary of the 40-hour workweek.
To find out more, click here.
10.21.2005
Interesting Debate Going on at Working Life
Tasini at Working Life opened a post about union democracy (quite a hot topic!) and asked the conversation to "get beyond the usual stuff."
The post and the comments are interesting, but I am going to single out one commenter who seems to hit the nail on the head. He calls the debate over leadership and democracy a "false dichotomy" and states:
The post and the comments are interesting, but I am going to single out one commenter who seems to hit the nail on the head. He calls the debate over leadership and democracy a "false dichotomy" and states:
Definitely check out his post if you have time -- he makes some very valid points and sets up a really cogent argument. This is a fine balance to strike, no doubt, but if we could just stop debating whether leaders should lead or the movement should be grassroots, then maybe we can start making some headway towards actually striking the balance.My experience with UNITE-HERE and SEIU have taught me that strong leadership and membership involvement are not in conflict with one another--neither can exist without the other. (Ty, of Sindicalista)
Guide to Bargaining For Work/Life Policies
The Labor Project for Working Families released what I think is a pretty novel guide of how to organize around and bargain for work/life issues. I haven't seen the full guide (the Labor Project is selling it for $10), but it includes model contract language and strategies for organizing around these issues. Clearly, unions have been central in getting the limited work/life benefits that some of us do have (i.e. 40 hour work week, paid leave policies), but I think they have a crucially important role in getting better policies both with individual employers and on the state and national level. Child care and paid sick leave are to me, some of the most important issues for unions to face. And, good work/life policies are not just important for people with children, they are important for anyone who wants to have a life outside of work.
In any case, I don't know how widely this guide is being used, but I wanted to highlight it as an important resource for organizers, workers, and anyone else. I think this area touches on Brother Josh's recent post about how labor needs some big national program to rally around, some vision for all workers, not just union workers. The policies that I can think of that fit this bill are health care and work/life policies. Health care doesn't seem to be that promising, so maybe work/life policies are the key!
In any case, I don't know how widely this guide is being used, but I wanted to highlight it as an important resource for organizers, workers, and anyone else. I think this area touches on Brother Josh's recent post about how labor needs some big national program to rally around, some vision for all workers, not just union workers. The policies that I can think of that fit this bill are health care and work/life policies. Health care doesn't seem to be that promising, so maybe work/life policies are the key!
10.12.2005
Recently won gains...
I just learned that federal workers only gained collective bargaining rights in 1978!! (thanks to the Federal Labor Relations Act). Prior to that, only postal employees had collective bargaining rights, which they won through an illegal strike in 1970.
And what about state workers, you ask? Well, I am looking at a report from 1998 that says only 26 states guarantee collective bargaining rights to state workers. The number is even lower today, as Republican governors keep cutting workers' rights at every turn. Almost immediately after taking office Matt Blunt of Missouri and Mitch Daniels cut their state workers rights to bargain collectively. Ernie Fletcher cut these rights for Kentucky state workers. I have to admit that I took public sector bargaining rights for granted... how much more wrong could I have been!?
And what about state workers, you ask? Well, I am looking at a report from 1998 that says only 26 states guarantee collective bargaining rights to state workers. The number is even lower today, as Republican governors keep cutting workers' rights at every turn. Almost immediately after taking office Matt Blunt of Missouri and Mitch Daniels cut their state workers rights to bargain collectively. Ernie Fletcher cut these rights for Kentucky state workers. I have to admit that I took public sector bargaining rights for granted... how much more wrong could I have been!?
10.05.2005
Union Network Targets Korea's Wal-Mart Branches
Interesting article today in the Korea Times about attempts by workers in Korean Wal-Marts to form a union with Union Network International (UNI) . I had not really heard of the UNI before, so I checked out their website, which states:
After just two years of negotiations a new trade union International was born on January 1 2000.UNI - Union Network International - is the skills and services International for the 21st century with 15.5 million members.UNI was created in response to the huge changes going on in the global economy and because of the impact of technology on increasingly overlapping industries.It brings together about 900 unions, the world’s largest grouping of individual trade unions.Great mission - I don't know how much success they've had, but I'll definitely keep my eyes open for what they are up to. In any case, the Korea Times story echoes the same concerns that U.S. unions bring up against Wal-Mart (low wages, low benefits, no unions) and say that Wal-Mart is using the same model in Korea. The UNI has an interesting take on how Wal-Mart's practices are especially dangerous in a country like Korea:
"On one side, they are like hedge funds. They try to make fast money (in South Korea) and go away," said Jan Furstenborg, director of UNI’s commerce sector. ``I want to say that Wal-Mart is a modern-day imperialist."I think this is an important criticism to keep in mind. Of course, Wal-Mart's spokespeople say the workers aren't interested in forming a union and imply that the UNI is a U.S.-led operation (suggesting that the union might really be the imperialistic force, which I doubt.)
9.16.2005
Mardi Gras: Made in China
I was fortunate to attend a screening of Mardi Gras: Made in China at the DC Labor Film Fest last week. The movie documents the path of mardi gras beads from "the factory to the festival." I wanted to mention what I thought was one of the most interesting points made in the film -- many sweatshop owners often try to recruit young female workers because of their supposed docility and ability to handle monotony. One of the owners interviewed in the film was forthright in discussing the benefits of hiring women: he liked hiring women because "they are easier to control." That particular factory around 95 percent female, and a few men were only hired to perform heavy lifting and manual labor that the women couldn't handle. While the high numbers of females employed in factories globally may have positive effects for women's independence, it also may put women in increased danger (for example, the women murdered in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico). In any case, this is a complicated issue that I just wanted to bring up briefly here. For more information on this issue, check out Miriam Ching Louie or Leslie Salzinger's work.
9.13.2005
Quoting Bible, Cutting Worker Pay
Dan Haar, a business columnist for the Hartford Courant, brings some important issues about Bush's recent actions to harm workers to light in his Saturday column. He criticizes President Bush for suspending the Davis-Bacon Act of 1931, which was supposed to protect workers from exactly this sort of slashing of worker's rights during difficult economic times.
He closes up his column with a much needed attack on Bush. I've heard so many times over the past week how we didn't know such poverty existed, etc., etc., but it seems to me at least that it should be the Bush administration's responsibility to know what the economic situation is for the millions of workers on the Gulf Coast. Saying that no one knew the people were impoverished, had no means to evaculate, etc. is not an excuse.
Bush used his powers to suspend a law that for 74 years has guaranteed a decent wage to construction workers in federal contracts. The suspension applies to more than 100 counties and parishes in the states hit by Katrina - indefinitely, for all contracts, whether or not they are meant to clean up and rebuild devastated areas.
The order cancels "prevailing wages," which assure that workers on federal jobs receive hourly pay akin to workers doing similar work in those areas. Prevailing wages in the Deep South states are barely above poverty: $9.55 an hour, for example, for a construction laborer in New Orleans.
He closes up his column with a much needed attack on Bush. I've heard so many times over the past week how we didn't know such poverty existed, etc., etc., but it seems to me at least that it should be the Bush administration's responsibility to know what the economic situation is for the millions of workers on the Gulf Coast. Saying that no one knew the people were impoverished, had no means to evaculate, etc. is not an excuse.
Much has been said these past two weeks about how Katrina has laid bare America's racial and economic divide. Hogwash. The divide has long been obvious to everyone. Bush, never complacent, has acted to make it worse.
9.09.2005
Breaking News
8.31.2005
Going Toe-to-Toe
Today's Washington Post tells the story of Nikkia Parish, an accomplished ballet dancer who was fired from the Washington Ballet for her union activities. The NLRB is holding a hearing on September 12th investigate the matter.
The dancers who formed a union have real concerns, about pay and working conditions. This is another good example of "professional" workers turning to a union to improve their workplace conditions.
Parish's union, the American Guild of Musical Artists, has represented the Washington Ballet's dancers since last winter.
So Parish, who says that speaking up for better working conditions is what got her in trouble, is unusual. But she's used to that. Standing out is nothing new for her, a black ballet dancer in one of the world's least-integrated fields. Of the Washington Ballet's 22 dancers, she was the only African American woman.
The dancers who formed a union have real concerns, about pay and working conditions. This is another good example of "professional" workers turning to a union to improve their workplace conditions.
The dancers are getting older and don't want to live paycheck to paycheck," says dancer Erin Mahoney. "We've grown. People are starting to think of their own future. In the U.S., people automatically think 'artist' translates to suffering, starving, broke. Why should it be that way?"
Parish's union, the American Guild of Musical Artists, has represented the Washington Ballet's dancers since last winter.
As organized labor has become more and more disorganized -- witness the recent split in the AFL-CIO, reflecting unions' loss of influence and falling membership nationwide -- it may come as a surprise that a dancers' guild is trying to throw its weight around. Other unions may be losing might, but men (and women) in tights are organizing.
8.26.2005
Toronto Bike Messengers on the Road to Forming a Union
NOW Toronto reports that bike couriers in Toronto are making moves toward forming a union with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW).
How rough is the road out there for couriers? While some can make up to $150 a day, the majority earn $70 to $100. Most messengers routinely work more than nine hours a day, and aren't paid overtime or for vacations, statutory holidays or sick days.In doing so, they are joining a movement made famous by the San Francisco bike messengers, who unionized in 1998, and by the New York bike messengers.
They’ve been called urban cowboys, daredevils, and street samurai, but in fact San Francisco’s bike messengers and their car-driving co-workers toil in sweatshops on wheels.As a urban bike rider myself, I can sympathize with the Toronto biker's health concerns.
Now the Sierra Legal Defence Fund is considering bringing suit against the province and feds for failing to curtail the smog that several studies show is having adverse long-term effects on couriers' health.Seems like another step in the trend of seemingly isolated workers (for example, home health care workers) finding some common ground and advantages to joining together to fight for their rights.
Albert Koehl, a lawyer with the group, says an argument for damages could be made. He points out that under section 14 of Ontario's Environmental Protection Act (EPA), it's an offence "to discharge a contaminant into the natural environment that causes an adverse effect." The EPA defines this as, among other things, "an adverse effect on the health of any person" or "interference with normal conduct of business."
8.22.2005
DC Labor Film Fest 2005
From Thursday, September 15th, through Wednesday, September 21st, the Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO, the Debs-Jones-Douglass Institute, and the American Film Institute are teaming up to present 11 labor films at AFI's Silver Spring theatre.Jane Fonda will be there to attend the 25th anniversary screening of her film, "Nine to Five" and Barbara Kopple will be there to present her documentary, "Harlan County, USA."
This looks like a fun event, for those of us in DC!
8.18.2005
Good News for Day Laborers in DC Metro Area!
According to today's Washington Post, the Herndon Town Council approved the creation of a "formal, taxpayer-funded gathering spot for day laborers" after much controversy last night.
Many of the city council members expressed concern over spending taxpayer money on undocumented immigrants:
Again, like for the female day laborers in NYC, providing an organized place for day laborers is a basic issue of safety. One of the Virginia day laborers explains:
Many of the city council members expressed concern over spending taxpayer money on undocumented immigrants:
The dissenters said a vote to spend public money on a laborer site would amount to an endorsement of illegal immigration.Wow, who knew that day laborers - people who are just trying to make a living and support their families - are responsible for all of that!?
Opponents from Herndon and as far away as Colorado called for stepped-up police enforcement, legislative changes and an end to the hiring of undocumented workers. Some homeowners said the day laborers are sinking property values. And they said that by using public money to help the workers, Herndon would be committing a crime by supporting illegal immigration.
Again, like for the female day laborers in NYC, providing an organized place for day laborers is a basic issue of safety. One of the Virginia day laborers explains:
"We want a secure site, because our lives are in danger when the contractors leave us on the road," Eric Arauz said through an interpreter. "We are honest workers, not criminals, like they say."
8.15.2005
Women Shut Out from Top Union Positions
Lots on good information in this article by Kari Lyderson. She takes a close look at the causes and consequences of women's exclusion from positions of power in the labor movement. I'd definitely recommend reading the whole article. It's quite a mental exercise to imagine if women ran the world, what the labor movement would look like??
However, the article states that:
Out of 56 unions in the AFL-CIO, only two—the Screen Actors Guild and American Nurses Association—are headed by women. Women are equally unrepresented in other top union jobs, making up less than a fifth of top leadership.Lyderson raises a serious issue that I have with the U.S. based union movement (at least). Almost everyone acknowledges that women and people of color are the future of the labor movement, yet unions are cutting their women's departments left and right and women still haven't made it into the top leadership positions.
However, the article states that:
[W]hile men have maintained a firm grip on official leadership positions in organized labor, women are gaining power and attention in different ways. A handful of vocal, female-dominated unions have become more daring, non-traditional and holistic in their approach to fighting for workers’ rights and in uniting union members with the general community.Lyderson's example of this is the California Nurses Association. Personally, I am interested in what kind of militancy and activism women workers may be engaged in outside of the traditional labor movement. If the unions can't meet their needs, do the women workers go elsewhere?
8.14.2005
Invisible to Most, Immigrant Women Line Up for Day Labor
Make sure to check out this NYTimes article on immigrant Latina and Polish women who work in housekeeping and other day labor in New York City.
At a time when male day laborers have become the most public and contentious face of economic immigration to the United States, these two rare female shape-ups have doubled in size almost unobserved in recent years. Their growth reflects a larger overlooked reality: Women make up 44 percent of the nation's low-wage immigrant work force, and worldwide, studies show, more and more women are migrating for work.I think the issue of violence against these women, raised near the end of the article, is especially important. Nina Berstein states that these are "places where women are willing to put their personal safety in jeapordy for a days work." To me, it doesn't seem fair to portray this as a simple choice for the women, because they are forced to risk their own safety, and are likely at greater risk of violence, because of their economic desperation.
...Ms. [Rhacel Salazar] Parreñas [a sociologist] and other researchers find that women who migrate for work are likely to be single mothers supporting children in their native countries. Compared with their male counterparts, they earn less, despite higher levels of education, according to a 2002 study of the United States' low-wage immigrant work force by the Urban Institute, a research group in Washington, which estimated that two million foreign-born women made less than the minimum wage. Yet women are also more likely to remain in America, and they send home a higher proportion of their earnings.
8.12.2005
Heathrow workers show some solidarity!
British Airways staff returned to work today drawing national attention and closing down Heathrow Airport when baggage handlers, loaders, and cargo staff joined catering workers in a 24-hour walkout. The workers are all represented by the same union (the Transport and General Workers' Union). The union reported on August 10:
The BBC also reports that the dispute is costing British Airways £10m per day. What I'd like to know, is how this price tag compares with the cost of treating their workers better and negotiating fairly?
The airline caterer Gate Gourmet, which this morning sacked over three hundred catering workers at Heathrow, was this afternoon accused by the T&G of designing and manufacturing the situation. The union made it clear that the flashpoint issue - the hiring of 130 seasonal workers - was a provocative move because never before had such extra staff been taken on while permanent staff were under threat of redundancy.In a letter to customers, the employees state:
On Wednesday, August 10th, 2005, Gate Gourmet sacked 800 workers employed at Heathrow. Fellow workers reporting for duty on Thursday 11th August 2005 were faced with the ultimatum of signing a new contract which would slash pay and conditions or face the sack.The AP reports how management is reacting to the unexpected show of solidarity:As catering assistants we are paid just £12,000 a year. As drivers we are paid less than £16,000 per year.
These are very low wages by any standards, but especially in one of the most expensive cities in the world. Yet Gate Gourmet is seeking to push them even lower, and us even closer to poverty.
"This is not our dispute," [British Airways Chief Executive Rod] Eddington said. "Our customers must come first and everyone involved in creating this chaotic situation must come to their senses."Interestingly, most of the articles I've seen talking about the strike (BBC, AP) don't even touch on what the real issues are underlying the strike. If they mention the catering workers at all, it is buried beneath paragraphs of text lamenting the frustrations of the passengers. To me, the news story is that Gate Gourmet is not being fair to it's workers, not that customers faced a day of inconvenience. The stories even give the impression that that the workers are at fault for the "disturbance."
The BBC also reports that the dispute is costing British Airways £10m per day. What I'd like to know, is how this price tag compares with the cost of treating their workers better and negotiating fairly?