Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law staff unionize
Saying that “Uncertainty is a crucial time to ensure employees are protected and represented,” the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU) announced yesterday that the staff at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law have organized with NPEU to form Lawyers’ Committee United. “We believe that the principles and values that we promote and defend through our work should govern our workplace as well: justice, equity, transparency, cooperation, and respect,” Lawyers’ Committee United said. The union has asked Lawyers’ Committee management for voluntary recognition.
Got bubble wrap?
The folks at SMART Local 100 are running low on supplies to mail out the face mask nose clips (SMART’S Nose For Solidarity) and would appreciate it “if folks would like to donate packaging, preferably with bubble wrap,” reports Business Rep Tom Killeen. They’re looking for 8"x11" envelopes and small boxes, 4x4x8, 6x6x4 or 8x8x4. Email Tom at [email protected]
Building Trades Council invests in CSA to meet local need
The Baltimore-DC Building Trades Council has contributed $5,000 to the Community Services Agency’s Emergency Assistance Fund. “Every day, and especially through this pandemic, we want to do as much as we can to help as many union members as possible,” said Council President and Executive Director Stephen Courtien. “We feel that the Community Services Agency is the best vehicle to help fellow union members during this situation.” The contribution will “help keep families in their homes, the lights on and food on the table as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc with local workers,” said CSA Executive Director Sonte DuCote. "Thank you to the Council and all its affiliated trades.”
Loach’s “Sorry We Missed You” screens online tonight
Washington Post film critic Ann Hornaday -- a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism -- will be introducing tonight’s DC LaborFest virtual screening of Ken Loach’s latest film, SORRY WE MISSED YOU. See Calendar (above) for details on how you can watch this acclaimed drama safely from home, while supporting longtime LaborFest partner AFI Silver during their temporary closure. Tom Zaniello, author of "Working Stiffs, Union Maids, Reds, and Riffraff: An Expanded Guide to Films about Labor" will conduct Q&A on Zoom during and after the film.
Today's Labor Quote: John Steinbeck
“And in the eyes of the people there is the failure; and in the eyes of the hungry there is a growing wrath. In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage.”
John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath” was published on this date in 1939.
Today's Labor History
This week’s Labor History Today podcast: Organizing during historic crises
On this week’s show, labor historians Dorothy Sue Cobble and Michael Merrill talk with the NoVA Coalition to Repeal Right to Work about how workers engaged in mass uprisings and organizing during previous historical crises. Plus American Prospect Editor at Large Harold Meyerson, on The Return of the Breadline and retired nurse and novelist Tim Sheard visits a New York City hospital during the pandemic.
Last week’s show: Coronavirus essential workers’ rights
More than 100 Mexican and Filipino farm workers are arrested for union activities, Imperial Valley, Calif. Eight were convicted of “criminal syndicalism” - 1930
- David Prosten; photo GENE J. PUSKAR/AP PHOTO courtesy The American Prospect
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