Thu 17 Jan 2008
I wrote some nasty things about writers earlier this week, and, as I was considering whether I owe anybody an apology, it occured to me that there is precious little written in disparagement of writers. (more…)
labor
Archived Posts from this Category
Mon 14 Jan 2008
By Steve Thornton
The writers are on strike. Jon Stewart is a scab. Who cares? There’s still plenty to watch on TV and at the movies. Even if my favorite shows are re-runs, there’s always Netflix, right?
Well, the strike of 12,000 members of the Writers Guild of America, which began November 5th, should be important to us, and here’s why:
1. The strike is about the future of work. It’s old news that American industry has been shipped to foreign shores. Connecticut lost as many as 200,000 manufacturing jobs in the last three decades. Tomorrow’s jobs – our children’s work – could very well be in information technology. The writers are fighting for their fair share of the pie when it is served across the internet, through iTunes and other new digital media. What they are able to win now, our kids may not have to fight so hard for in the future.
2. It gets people talking about unions. When Tina Fey in New York and Jack Black in Hollywood walk the picket line in solidarity with striking writers, it’s news (sad but true). Since only one in ten U.S. workers is presently in a union, labor organizing is not a daily topic of conversation. That’s good for business leaders, but bad for the rest of us. In an age when we are bombarded with Paris Hilton’s jail time and Martha Stewart’s recipes, discussions and even arguments about the value of unions are a good thing. (more…)
Sun 6 Jan 2008
Support Immigrant Workers Struggling for Justice and Dignity
Posted by jerimarie liesegang under labor , immigrationNo Comments
An Evening of Solidarity
Support Immigrant Workers Struggling for Justice and Dignity
Friday, January 11th 2008
1199 King-Davis Center
77 Huyshope Avenue, Hartford
5:30 PM Doors Open and 6:00 PM Dinner Served (more…)
Wed 15 Aug 2007
Emergency call for solidarity for Rhode Island activists under police attack
Posted by Peter G under labor , activism1 Comment
You may already have read an account of how members of the Providence, Rhode Island branch of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) and their supporters were attacked by the police while conducting a peaceful and lawful demonstration in support of workers’ rights. One of the marches was seriously maced and another had her leg broken by the police. If you would like a full account, there is a link to a report here.
The Northeast Region of the National Lawyers Guild was asked to prepare a statement of solidarity and we as a region as well as several local chapters (Connecticut, Massachusetts and Maine) have done so. Following is the text of the statement (which incidentally in this draft repeats the common mistake of referring to the IWW as International rather than Industrial Workers of the World). We decided, however, that we would seek to broaden the statement and though it has been initiated by the NLG we invite other organizations in the Northeast to sign on. If you wish to add your organization’s name to the list of signatories, please email me as soon as possible at pdgoselin@lapm.org.
Peter Goselin
Northeast Region co-vp
National Lawyers Guild (more…)
Thu 2 Aug 2007
Gimme a shot of Keillor, no chaser
Posted by yossarian under economics , labor , immigration , required reading[4] Comments
Garrison Keillor’s musings on his Republican father’s take on illegal immigrants is refreshing. Makes a nice palate cleanser after reading some of the anti-immigrant rants by the usual suspects. His empathy for the angst of old guys dealing with the current job market and his gentle pokes at young folks’ employment aspirations is sure to give fellow geezers a chuckle.
Fri 8 Jun 2007
Bring Back the CCC, Our Parks Are Falling Apart
Posted by yossarian under environment , government , justice , labor , education1 Comment
Our state parks suffer from neglect, city kids need something to do this summer. What to do? During the Depression, the Civilian Conservation Corps put idle young folks to work in state and national parks. Their work should be carried on by a new generation, as suggested in a letter in today’s Courant: (more…)
Tue 15 May 2007
The Standing Stone Irish Pub (111 Allyn Street, Downtown Hartford) sold (allegedly) for $125,000 according to its bartenders. As of Friday, all but one of those bartenders were scheduled to be fired/“let go” at the end of next week in a house cleaning by the new owner.
In the words of one patron, “They only kept the big titted, blonde bimbo.” Personally, I can’t speak to that, having never met her. Friday was the first time in years that I walked into the Standing Stone. And, the bartenders on duty seemed to have a good opinion of the girl that made the cut. (more…)
Sat 5 May 2007
HARTFORD: The lead-up to today’s rally for universal health care promised a turn-out equaling that of the Ax the Tax rally during the Weicker administration. This was hype that actually did not disappoint. The area of Bushnell Park by the Corning Fountain was filled with an extremely diverse gathering of people–many kids and mostly people of color–who came out to support quality health care for all. According to the press kit made available at the rally, over “400,000 Connecticut residents are without health insurance” and “84% of Connecticut’s voters want universal health care.” (more…)
Fri 23 Feb 2007
Today is the last day for the job (scab) fairs, plus negotiations have now been pushed to their latest deadline: midnight tonight.
Keep up with the calls to Stop & Shop: 1-800-767-7772
Tell them that you support the employees and you won’t cross a picket line.
Tue 20 Feb 2007
*UPDATE* THURSDAY: The talks continued through the night. They have been “positive”, but “the itch to strike remains strong.” Keep calling and head to the job (scab) fairs! Also, if you have a story about a scab fair send it to himc@riseup.net
(more…)