Labor Justice Radio

Christine Lewis, an organizer with Domestic Workers United, speaks about the working conditions that domestic workers face on a daily basis and shares a political analysis of the role that domestic work plays in our economy.

This interview was conducted by Kistine Carolan, and produced by Milena Velis.

On this month's show:

• Delaware Workers Fight Back Against Workplace Intimidation and Illegal Firings
• Willie Baptist on Building a Multiracial Movement to End Povert
• Temple Nurses Call Out Temple University Health System
• Taxi Drivers Organize for Workers Compensation Benefits
• History of Coal Miners' Unionizing in Appalachia
• Security Officers at Philadelphia Art Museum Form a Union
  

Plus music and other news.

On September 28th, nurses from the Pennsylvania Association of School Nurses And Practicioners (PASNAP) held a rally outside Temple Hospital at Broad and Tioga. The nurses are planning to strike over a contract dispute with Temple University Health System (TUHS).

The core concerns for nurses include Temple University Hospital System's refusal to negotiate over salary (including negotiations over cost of living increases); Temple's recent decision to phase out tuition reimbursement for dependents of hospital employees, and what PASNAP believes is an excessive increase in employee contribution to healthcare (TUHS is asking employee contributions to jump from $180 a month to $360 a month).

The strike, originally planned for the weekend of October 3rd, has been postponed. In the following clip, Bob Cruice of PASNAP talks about Temple's tactics to resist the worker's demands. This piece was produced by Rachel Goffe.

In August, Labor Justice Radio members and other members of Media Mobilizing Project traveled to West Virginia for a gathering of more than 160 leaders from across the country and around the world. During our time at the Leadership School, we studied together, taught one another, and worked towards Reigniting the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Poor People's Campaign today.

At the end of the week-long school, Amendu Evans spoke to Reverend Mavuso Mbhekiseni, who is a member of the Rural Network in South Africa and a part of the Shackdwellers Movement (Abahlali baseMjondolo). Amendu also talked to Chris Caruso, who is part of the Poverty Initiative at Union Theological Seminary. This audio piece captures some of their reflections on the school.

Edgar Romney, Secretary-Treasurer of Workers United discusses the why and how of the formation of this new union and the challenges that lay ahead. Produced by Charles B Clarke

On this show:

+ Organizers from around the world gather to strategize building a movement to end poverty.
+ Domestic workers fight to be protected under labor law.
+ Workers United speaks about their creation as a new union.
+ Poor & working people see loss of services under PA budget stalemate.

Plus music & other news.

The Domestic Worker's Bill of Rights is before the New York State Senate RIGHT NOW. Help make New York the first state in this country to respect and protect the lives and work of domestic workers. Domestic Workers United (DWU) has worked hard for the last 5 years to get this far, the House has passed the bill and the Governor has promised to sign it. Call your New York State Senator (or share this with New Yorkers who can make the call) and ask them to support S2311- otherwise known as The Domestic Worker's Bill of Rights.

Produced by Kistine Carolan.

Families face a shrinking social safety as political disagreements hold up the passage of a final state budget. This segment covers a rally by The Coalition for Essential Services in Media, PA. Speakers discussed potential cuts to Head Start, Pre-K, child care, housing assistance, adult education classes along with other social services.

Produced by Kistine Carolan.

On this show:

+ Unified Taxi Workers Alliance rally against drive-by ticketing
+ SEIU fights for better wages for Delaware workers
+ ACME workers contract battle

Plus music and other news.

In the last few months the local 1776 has been trying to work out a new contract with managment and they were able to get a new deal for all its membership to ratify.An emergency meeting was called so they could work it out.
This piece was done by Amendu evans

On this show:

+ Hahnemann Hospital Nurses Fight to Unionize
+ Anti-Casino Circus Spotlights Absurdity of Casino Plans
+ City Workers Struggle for a Fair Contract
+ Philadelphians Demand 'Healthcare for All'

Plus music & other news.

Since January, nurses inside Hahnemann Hospital in Center City Philadelphia have been working towards unionizing. Despite the union-busting tactics employed by Tenet management, nurses have organized in support of joining Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals (PASNAP).

Currently, Hahnemann workers are awaiting a decision from the National Labor Relations Board to find out if the results of their recent union vote will be counted.

In the midst of this uncertainty, one nurse agreed to an anonymous interview with Labor Justice Radio. He explains the events that led up to the union election, and what is at stake for nurses like himself.

This piece was produced by Megan Williamson.

Thousands of workers congregated at Love Park to let Mayor Nutter know that they are prepared to fight and potentially strike for a fair contract. The city worker's struggle is part of a larger fight to make sure the burden of Philadelphia's budget shortfall is not placed on the back of poor and working class communities.

Kistine Carolan produced this story.

Despite City Councils' recent unanimous approval of Foxwoods Casino, the fight to keep predatory gambling out of Philly is heating up. On June 25, the No Casino in the Heart of the City Coalition opened its new office-- right across from the proposed slots parlor at 8th & Market-- by hosting an Anti-Casino Circus!

Patrick Anamah was at the Anti-Casino Circus and interviewed three members of Asian Americans United: Olivia, Helen Gym & Ellen Somakawa.

On this show:

+ Northeastern Hospital Closing Causes Health Crisis in Philadelphia Neighborhoods
+ Inhumane Working Conditions for Cleaners in Center City
+ City's Ten Year Tax Abatement Places Burden on Working People
+ Taxi Union Looks Out for Drivers' Health
+ Stories of Gentrification & Displacement in Baltimore and Philly

Plus music and other news.

In this piece, Robin Tasco and Amendu Evans explore the ten year tax abatement that the city hands out to new developments, and how this policy affects the city as a whole. To hear some different perspectives on this issue, Amendu and Robin spoke to three people: Councilman Curtis Jones Jr., an ACORN organizer who works on affordable housing issues, and a Philly resident who has seen the effects first hand.

No talking. No humming. No pausing to drink water. Don't stop moving. Don't complain about lack of ventilation. Just keep cleaning.

These are the rules that workers like Darnell Dixon are expected to follow. Darnell is a cleaner in a prominent center city office building (which he chose not to name publicly.)

In this piece, he details the list of new rules for workers in his building and the ways that workers' human rights are being violated. John Mason conducted the interview for this piece.

Unified Taxi Workers Alliance (UTWA) recently held a health fair for cab drivers at the Philadelphia International Airport. The screenings, tests & medical advice that was provided to drivers was necessary because so few drivers have health insurance or proper access to medical care. Patrick Anamah reports on the event and UTWA's mission to support cab drivers' health.

This segment follows local organizing against the closure of Northeastern Hospital in Philadelphia; new fees for previously free health care services; and national organizing for federal health care reform. Each paint the same picture: access to health care is getting harder, particularly for poor and working class communities.

Produced by Kistine Carolan.

On this show:

+ United Workers Association Demands Dignity for Baltimore Workers
+ Vermont Workers Organize for Healthcare as a Human Right
+ Baltimore Residents Struggle to Re-Regulate Utilities
+ Predatory Gambling Targets Philadelphia Communities

Plus music & other news.

While in Baltimore, Amendu Evans spoke to Maria Alwine of the Maryland Coalition for BGE Reregulation. She explained the problems that Baltimore is facing with deregulation of utilities, causing utility fees more than double. And 84,000 Baltimore households to be slated for shut-offs. Alwine talks about the work that people in her city are doing to get Baltimore Gas & Electric re-regulated.

As the casino industry tries to push it's way into the heart of Philadelphia, communities are pushing back. In this piece, John Mason brings us highlights from a community forum hosted by Asian Americans United & Casino Free Philadelphia. The forum shed light on the predatory tactics used by the casino industry to encourage gambling addiction and target those who can least afford to lose.

On April 19th, about 40 members of Media Mobilizing Project traveled down to Baltimore to stand with our allies, the United Workers Association (UWA), as they declared Baltimore's inner harbor a Human Rights Zone. This declaration launched UWA's campaign to reclaim dignity and fair treatment for the low-wage workers employed at the Inner Harbor's restaurants and stores.

Milena Velis was one of the MMP members who was at the historic Human Rights Zone March. She brings us this report.

On Friday, May 1, an estimated over 1000 people from across Vermont, including nurses and other healthcare workers, descended on the State Capital building in Montpelier for a "Healthcare is a Human Right" rally. The historic rally, organized by the Vermont Workers' Center, was aimed at changing not only what is "politically possible" with respect to healthcare reform, but at making the establishment of the human right to healthcare as a basic right "politically inescapable."

Anja Rudiger, of the Human Right to Health Program at the National Economic and Social Rights Initiative (NESRI), was there to document the historic event. This piece was produced by Phil Wider, of NESRI and Media Mobilizing Project.

When Mayor Nutter first announced his budget cuts, he slated many of the city's homeless shelters to have reduced staff, and cut back security guards' wages. Within one week of announcing his plan, he cut the wages and benefits of security guards who work in shelters and deal with dangerous conditions everyday. These workers had the choice of either taking pay cuts -- from $13/hr to $7/hr -- and losing benefits, or losing their jobs.

On March 5th, SEIU 32BJ held a rally outside city hall to demand respect and living wages from the Mayor. Amendu Evans brings us this report from the rally.

On this show:

+ Housing Organizers Frame the Economic Crisis
+ Community Responds to Northeastern Hospital Closure
+ Security Guards Speak Out about City Cuts to Wages
+ Cab Drivers Discuss Economic Survival under Rising Fees
+ Low Wage Workers continue to Organize in Baltimore

Plus music and other news.

When community members first learned of the potential closure, they planned a public meeting and invited the Temple University Health System (TUHS) administrators. TUHS did not attend the meeting and on March 23rd announced the closure of Northeastern Hospital. In this segment, we hear the concerns of doctors at the hospital as well as community members about the closure. Produced by Kistine Carolan.

On this show:

+ Community Responses to the Mayor's Budget Forums
+ Unified Taxi Workers Alliance Celebrates a Legal Victory
+ Thomas Robinson Speaks about Organizing Security Guards
+ Jobs with Justice Demonstrates outside Philly Art Museum
+ Taxi Drivers Discuss Poor Working Conditions Caused by Faulty GPS System

Plus music & other news!

The Philadelphia International Airport Authority is raising the egress fee for all taxis working at the airport. The increase, which would raise the fee from $1.50 to $2.25, is slated to go into effect at the end of March.

Unified Taxi Workers Alliance is concerned that this additional charge to the customer will make cabs too expensive for average people in this difficult economy, and ultimately decrease business.

Patrick Anamah gives a brief update about the situation and the UTWA's organized response.

On February 26th, students, workers, clergy and community members converged on the Philadelphia Museum of Art to rally around security guards working at the museum.

This diverse community of protestors came to demand, as Fabricio Rodriguez Executive Director of Philadelphia Jobs with Justice explained, "that the museum recognize the Philadelphia Security Officers Union as the legitimate bargaining agent for these workers."

Megan Williamson brings us highlights from the action.

In 2006, the Philadelphia Parking Authority mandated that GPS systems be installed in all of Philly's taxicabs. Aside from questions about the PPA's contract with Taxitronics for the GPS units -- Taxitronics had their GPS contract with the City of New York revoked after a government investigation uncovered corruption in how Taxitronics won the lucrative contract -- there are persistent problems with the GPS units.

Patrick Anamah & Femi Animashaun discuss the problems that cab drivers face due to these faulty GPS units, and appeal to the Philadelphia Parking Authority to correct its mistake.

Amendu Evans brings us a report from the Essential Services Coalition’s Press Conference that took place before the Mayor’s Budget forum in West Philadelphia.

Speakers at the press conference included a security guard from one of the city’s homeless shelters, facing deep wage and benefit cuts due to the Mayor's budget.

Amendu also shares his perspective on the Budget Forum, asking the question, "Were these forums really meant to empower us, or were they designed to divide the community and keep us quiet?"

On Friday February 20th, The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled in the case of the Taxi Workers Alliance vs. The Philadelphia Parking Authority. The court ruled in favor of the Unified Taxi Workers Alliance (UTWA) giving the Commonwealth Court jurisdiction over PPA and offering taxi drivers a place to have their voice heard in regards to PPA regulations.

Members of the Unified Taxi Workers Alliance celebrated the victory as an important step in winning back simple workers rights in the industry.

Megan Williamson talked to Ron Blount, President of the Unified Taxi Workers Alliance, about this important victory.

Charles Clarke speaks to Thomas Robinson, chair of the Philadelphia Officers & Workers Rising (POWR) Campaign. Thomas talks about organizing the security guards at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the struggle for healthcare, living wages, and dignity on the job.

On this show we hear:

+ interview with legendary labor organizer Dolores Huerta
+ international perspective on union organizing
+ story about the Coalition of Labor Union Women
+ report from Baltimore about the United Workers' campaign
+ update on the Employee Free Choice Act
+ analysis of President Obama's pick for Labor Secretary
+ review of Media Mobilizing Project's video training

Plus music and other news!

Jim Grogan is an organizer with Unite Here International Union who just returned to the United States after a year working in Ireland. In this interview he gives a perspective on the role of unions in general society and the importance of the Employee Free Choice Act.
Produced by Charles B. Clarke

Learn about the Philadelphia Chapter of the Coalition of Labor Union (CLUW) Women. Kathy Black, Health and Safety Director for AFSCME District Council 47 and President of the Philadelphia Chapter of CLUW describes some of their efforts, including national campaigns for pay equity through the recently-passed Lily Ledbetter Act; the ongoing push for the Employee Free Choice Act; and local organizing to guarentee that contraceptives are covered in workplace health plans.

Visit www.cluw.org for more information.

This segment was produced by Kistine Carolan.

On January 5th, the Nutter Administration closed seven fire companies in Philadelphia neighborhoods. These closures, along with cuts to neighborhood library branches and recreation centers, are part of city budget cuts that are primarily affecting Philadelphia's poor and working class residents.

Erika Almiron, of Media Mobilizing Project, interviewed Dave Kearney of the Philadelphia Firefighters’ Union. He explains how the mayor’s cuts to firestations will affect firefighters and Philadelphians. For more information on their ongoing fight, go to the Philadelphia Firefighters' Union webpage: <http://www.iaff22.org/>

Today we’ll be talking about how the nurses’ union is organizing to keep Northeastern Hospital open. We’ll also hear an interview with a member of the firefighters’ union about the mayor’s cuts to firestations, a report about dangerous working conditions faced by cab drivers and an update about recent progress in the struggle to save Philadelphia’s neighborhood libraries. Plus we’ll hear music and other news.

With the potential closure of Northeastern Hospital, we hear from Jerry Silberman, a representative of the hospital's nurses union.

He explains the situation and announces a community meeting to save Northeastern on January 6th, 7:00 p.m. at the Samuel Recreation Center (2501 East Tioga).

For information on closing maternity units in Southeastern Pennsylvania, visit Maternity Care Coalition's website at www.momobile.org.

A report by Kistine Carolan

Charles Clarke reports from Baltimore on UNITE HERE's boycott of the Baltimore Sheraton hotel. This boyoctt is part of a larger campaign against Columbia Sussex, a management company that is mistreating workers at hotels and casinos across the US.

On this month's show: Philadelphia's budget cuts and how they are affecting neighborhood rec centers and libraries. We’ll also hear about a push for more paid sick days for Philly workers, and about Baltimore hotel workers’ fight for justice. Plus we’ll have music and other news.

Mayor nutter made statement that in his budget cuts he will haft to close some libarys and some pools causeing people rally in the steets In South philadelphia at seventh and snyder ave thier is the ford center and thier pool is going to be closed and i had a chance to talk to some of the residents listen to what they had to say. produced by Amendu evans

Area unions and women's groups are pushing City Council to pass a bill that would guarantee paid sick days for all workers in Philadelphia.

The choice to work while sick or stay home and lose wages is no choice at all.

To support this effort, call your City Council person and ask them to pass this bill!

A report by Kistine Carolan

Philly residents around the city are mobilizing to say no to mayor Nutter's plan to close eleven public library branches.

About a month ago, the mayor announced drastic budget cuts to make up for a shortfall in revenue of 180 million dollars in this fiscal year, and a projected 1 billion dollar budget shortfall over the next five years.

The mayor is cutting back on other basic services, including firefighters, police and youth services, as well as closing down pools and homeless shelters.

A report by Milena Velis

On this edition of Labor Justice Radio:
+ Residents struggle to keep casinos out of Philadelphia
+ Jobs With Justice works to close sweatshops
+ A breakdown of the Employee Free Choice Act
+ United Workers make Baltimore’s harbor a Human Rights Zone + Updates about the stories you heard in last month’s show
+ Plus music and other news

Every day, corporations deny workers the freedom to form unions. They routinely intimidate, harass, coerce and even fire workers who try to form unions and bargain for economic well-being.
The Employee Free Choice Act (H.R. 800, S. 1041) would allow employees to form unions by signing union cards. It would also set stronger penalties for companies that violate the rights of workers who are organizing.
Charles Clarke produced this piece.

After years of pushing to build a casino on South Philadelphia’s waterfront and being met with massive local opposition, Foxwoods Casino is trying to build a slots parlor in Philadelphia's Chinatown.
On November 1st, over 1000 people marched down market street, declaring that Chinatown should not be transformed into a gambling district.
At the public meeting that followed the march, Philadelphia City Council unanimously voted to to recommend approval of the zoning bills that would pave the way for Foxwoods Casino. Produced by Megan Williamson.
To learn more or to get involved, visit www.aaunited.org and www.casinofreephila.org

Today these is a human rights crisis in Florida's fields. There, tomato pickers earn subpoverty wages, and lack basic labor protections and benefits.
But in recent years, a new hope for reform in Florida's fields has emerged: the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW). The CIW's current campaign is aimed at Subway and Chipotle, two fast food companies that refuse to recognize the human rights abuses in Florida's fields, even as they make billions off of the tomato pickers' labor.
To learn more, visit: www.ciw-online.org
This campaign update was produced by Desi Burnette.

We have a packed show this month. Listen for a piece about home healthcare workers' struggle to get health coverage; an interview with a lead organizer for Jobs with Justice; a conversation between two taxi drivers about the problem of 'drive-by ticketing by the Philadelphia Parking Authority; a story about supervisor harassment faced by cleaners with ABM Industries; a report on immigrant parents organizing to get more translators in South Philly public schools; and a feature about UNITE HERE's campaign against Aramark. Plus we'll have music and news from working peoples' perspectives.

The Philadelphia Parking Authority is using abusive ticketing practices to wring more money out of taxi workers' pockets. Dubbed "drive-by ticketing" by cab divers, this practice includes ticketing cabs while they drop off or pick up passengers --even at designated cab stands-- and mailing tickets up to weeks later, making it very difficult to for drivers to contest these violations and forcing drivers to pay large fines. In this piece, Femi Animashaun and Patrick Anamah, members of the Taxi Workers' Alliance of PA, discuss the issue.

ABM Industries has recently become infamous with workers after collaborating with Immigrations & Customs Enforcement (ICE) to entrap and arrest 42 of their undocumented employees in a July 31st raid. But what is work like for people that are still working for ABM Industries? Darnell Dixon interviewed ABM employees who clean the Bell Atlantic building in Center City Philadelphia to find out what they experience while they're on the job.

Home healthcare workers and other SEIU members gathered in Hershy, PA recently to rally for the creation of a Consumers Healthcare Council. This Council would ensure that healthcare workers (including people who provide care at patients' homes, as well as in nursing homes and rehab centers) get proper health benefits themsleves. Amendu Evans interviewed homecare workers and produced this piece.

Juntos, an immigrant workers organization, is organizing parents around the serious lack of translators in Philadelphia public schools, especially in South Philly, where many parents speak little or no English. Milena Velis spoke to parents about their campaign.

Since this piece was aired, members of JUNTOS succeeded in getting 4 deputies of the Philadelphia School District to meet with them and listen to their demands. But parents are still waiting to hear whether the school district will create an office of translation to address the need for more interpreters. Juntos plans to hold a public action soon to bring more attention to this issue.

Taxi drivers in Philadelphia are forced to work without workers' compensation, despite the fact that they face dangerous working conditions and many suffer from job-related health problems. Maggie Von Vogt interviews members of the Unified Taxi Workers Alliance who have been driving cabs and organizing for many years, to learn more more about the issue of workers' compensation for Philly cab divers.

Fabricio Rodriguez, director of Jobs with Justice, talks about the mission of the coalition and its current campaigns, including organizing security guards at Penn, Temple and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Charles Clarke produced this piece.

UNITE HERE recently stepped up their campaign against Aramark, a corporation that provides food service to prisons, conference centers, and -- until last year when their contract was cut due to public pressure-- the Philadelphia School District. Dan Jones, high school junior and Philadelphia Student Union member, produced this piece about Aramark workers' campaign for better conditions. This piece originally aired on Philadelphia Student Union's youth-produced radio show On Blast. http://onblast.podomatic.com

During our September show, we brought you coverage of an immigration raid that took place on July 31st (see story below). Of the 42 workers arrested, seven women have been released from detention to care for their children while they await trial in immigration court. Milena Velis produced this brief update from Margaret Sawyer, a leader of the New Sanctuary Movement.

On July 31st, 42 members of SEIU 32BJ were arrested during an immigration raid at ABM Industries. The week of the raid, ABM replaced the janitors' paychecks with a letter telling them to report to a mandatory meeting. When workers arrived, Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested all non-US citizens on the spot. On August 7th, SEIU 32BJ held a rally in Norristown to protest the actions of ABM & ICE. Highlights were recorded by Darnell Dixon & Amendu Evans.

Taxi drivers have been organizing for many years, but until recently, there was not one unified voice that represented cab drivers in the city. This July, an historic election brought together two cabbie unions and created a new entity, Unified Taxi Workers Alliance of Pennsylvania, to organize and represent Philadelphia taxi drivers' needs and rights as workers. Produced by Kistine Carolan.

Workers at the Embassy Suites, together with UNITE HERE, have been staging a boycott of the hotel since December of 2007. They are asking supporters not to eat, sleep, or meet at the Embassy Suites until a fair settlement is reached. In October of 2007, Embassy Suites "permanently replaced" thirty-one workers. These workers had honored a picket line of building trades unions protesting non-union construction work at their hotel. Workers are demanding affordable healthcare, a fair contract, and respect on the job.

Every day, thousands of people go to work in Center City. But few people stop to think about what it is like for the janitors who keep Center City's office buildings clean and running smoothly. In this piece, Kirk Shelton talks to his fellow cleaners, and members of SEIU 32 BJ, about what they face on a daily basis at their jobs.

This summer, organizers from across Philly came together for a weekend of dialogue, political education and community building at an event hosted by Media Mobilizing Project. Participating groups included Philadelphia Student Union, Juntos, Head Start & Casino Free Philadelphia, among others (see group photo). Produced by Amendu Evans & Darnell Dixon.

On the first episode of Labor Justice Radio we'll be talking about the creation of the Unified Taxi Workers Alliance of Pennsylvania, the daily job of a cleaner in center city, Media Mobilizing Project's leadership school, and workers comp for cab drivers. Plus we'll have music and news from working peoples' perspectives.