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Fairfax County Public Employee Rally: Tue, October 5, 3pm – 5pm

12000 Government Center Pkwy, Fairfax, VA 22035, USA (map)

Unions and community members are hosting a Collective Bargaining Rally at 3:00 pm outside the Fairfax County Government Center before the Public Hearing at 4:00 pm on collective bargaining.
To speak at the public hearing in support of meaningful collective bargaining at 4 pm, sign up here.

NoVA Volunteer Phone Bank: Tue, October 5, 6pm – 8pm

We will be calling fellow union members about this important election! Please click the below link to register:
Post cards and lit are available for pick up at the NoVA Labor office.
For more info contact Bob Zabel. [email protected]. 317-489-2501

WEBINAR: Farmworkers and Food Justice: Tue, October 5, 7pm – 8pm

Since the time of Cesar Chavez, the Catholic Church and the labor movement have been working together to uplift farm workers. But in too many places across the United States, those who work in the fields lack the protections of basic labor laws. In fact, farm workers often can't even afford to buy for their own families the fresh fruits and vegetables that they pick for us.

What's happening to farm workers today? Join Julie Taylor of the National Farm Worker Ministry for FARM WORKERS AND FOOD JUSTICE to find out.

CLICK TO REGISTER

IATSE members overwhelmingly authorize strike
The Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) announced Monday that 60,000 members who work in television and film production across the country have voted—by a nearly unanimous margin—to grant IATSE International President Matthew Loeb the authority to call a strike. This is the first time in IATSE’s 128-year history that members of the union have authorized a nationwide strike. “The members have spoken loud and clear,” said Loeb. “This vote is about the quality of life, as well as the health and safety of those who work in the film and television industry. Our people have basic human needs like time for meal breaks, adequate sleep and a weekend. For those at the bottom of the pay scale, they deserve nothing less than a living wage.” Overall voter turnout was nearly 90%, and support for strike authorization was more than 98%.

Women’s soccer players score major wins
The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) canceled its matches last weekend in response to pressure from the NWSL Players Association (NWSLPA) amid reports in which several coaches were accused of abusing players. "Players are speaking up," tweeted the NWSLPA. "We are taking our power back." Professional women’s soccer players said they had simply had enough: one head coach in their league had finally been fired last week, accused of coercing a player on his team into sex. His dismissal came two days after Washington Spirit coach Richie Burke was fired; he’d been accused of subjecting players to “a torrent of threats, criticism and personal insults.” And by Friday night, league commissioner Lisa Baird had resigned. The players association demanded the league undertake an independent investigation into the allegations of abuse, and suspend any staff member who violated or failed to report a violation of their anti-harassment policy. The NWSLPA also set up an anonymous hotline for players to report abuse and is offering psychiatric assistance for current, former or future players.

CLUW Correction
The caption on yesterday’s photo from the October 2 women’s march was incorrect. It should have been (l-r) CLUW president Elise Bryant, DC CLUW chapter president Donna Brockington, and Natalie, one of the youngest supporters.

Today's Labor Quote: Matthew Loeb

“I hope that the studios will see and understand the resolve of our members. The ball is in their court. If they want to avoid a strike, they will return to the bargaining table and make us a reasonable offer.”

Loeb is president of IATSE.

TODAY'S LABOR HISTORY

This week’s Labor History Today podcast: This week's show: Sharecroppers’ struggles for rights and power. Last week's show: Feathers and Pennies - the 1888 Matchgirls and us.

A strike by set decorators turns into a bloody riot at the gates of Warner Brothers Studios in Burbank, Calif. when scabs try to cross the picket line. The incident is still identified as "Hollywood Black Friday" and "The Battle of Burbank" - 1945

The UAW ends a three-week strike against Ford Motor Co. when the company agrees to a contract that includes more vacation days and better retirement and unemployment benefits - 1976

Polish Solidarity union founder Lech Walesa wins the Nobel Peace Prize - 1983

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2,100 supermarket janitors in California, mostly from Mexico, win a $22.4 million settlement over unpaid overtime. Many said they worked 70 or more hours a week, often seven nights a week from 10 p.m. to 9 a.m. Cleaner Jesus Lopez told the New York Times he only had three days off in five years - 2004

- David Prosten.

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Published by the Metropolitan Washington Council, an AFL-CIO "Union City" Central Labor Council whose 200 affiliated union locals represent 150,000 area union members.

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