UCOMM Radio News
Fill out the form below to receive the UCOMM Radio News email newsletter from Jimmy & LaGrange. Plus, check out all the back issues of the UCOMM Radio News. Not only will you get a weekly email giving you a preview of the upcoming Sunday morning show - but you will also get local union news and bread & butter stories that matter to working people.
April 14, 2011: Issue 5
April 21, 2011: Issue 6
April 28, 2011: Issue 7
May 5, 2011: Issue 8
May 12, 2011: Issue 9
May 19, 2011: Issue 10
Sept 2, 2011: Issue 25
Next Weeks Show
May 19, 2013 - Striking Lawyers, Honorable Journalist & Equality
We got a bunch of audio from the 2nd Annual Workers Unite Film Festival in NYC, plus we get Lynn Ventura from UAW 2320, a union of attorneys, paralegals, secretaries, process servers, and other professionals employed at Legal Services NYC. She will be explaining why they are on strike. Plus Ellen Redmond of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers calls in to...
Making Progress? We got a tweet from Steve Greenhouse at the New York Times; Three weeks after a building collapse in Bangladesh that killed more than 1,100 workers, several of the world's largest apparel companies - including the retailing giant H&M and Inditex, owner of the Zara chain - agreed on Monday to sign a far-reaching and legally binding plan that requires retailers to help finance fire safety and building improvements in the factories they use in Bangladesh. Consumer and labor groups hailed the move by Sweden-based H&M - which is the largest purchaser of garments from Bangladesh - as an important step toward improving factory safety in Bangladesh, saying it would increase pressure on other Western retailers and apparel brands to do likewise.
Make 'em walk the plank. Ed Waters messaged us on facebook and said; Thought you might enjoy this Main Street vs. the fat cats type music video I produced, I Wanna Be A Pirate. It was screened at the Workers Unite! Film Festival this past week. While I "act" in the video, the great vocal was provided by Nick Nicholson. You might also like like our most recent video about continuing hard times on Main Street, Pass The Bag With The Bottle. It's on Youtube. UCOMM Radio editors note; If you don't like country music - this song will definitely make you a fan. Awesome thanks Ed!
Ask your Congressman how they voted. We got an email from the NJ AFL-CIO: The "Working Families Flexibility Act of 2013" also known as "comp time" legislation, passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 223 to 204 mostly along party lines on May 8, 2013. While this bill is unlikely to gain traction in the Senate and the President has promised to veto the legislation, it is alarming that such a bill could be passed by the House. This deceptively named legislation takes a significant step backwards for employees because it dilutes their ability to earn overtime pay while also undermining the 40-hour work week. This legislation provides employers with a financial incentive to establish a "comp time" system that shortchanges workers both financially and logistically in regard to work-week hours and scheduling. Under this bill, the benefit of flexibility would be granted only to employers - at the cost of employees.
NLRBi Appointments. The AFL-CIO has organized a user friendly email campaign. Corporate-funded politicians in the U.S. Senate are threatening to shut down the National Labor Relations Board, the government agency that protects workers' rights. Tell your senator to stop the corporate power grab and confirm the nominations now
Saturday at One. The Annual CWA Hockey Red/White Scrimmage is this Saturday, April 13th at 1 pm at the Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale Long Island.. Free Admission at 12 noon followed by a tailgate party. BBQ food will be served at 2:30 pm up until the Rangers / Islanders game at 7 pm. All are welcome. A Blood Drive is scheduled for 10 am to 4 pm in the lower lobby.
Saturday at Three. The Nassau PBA is hosting a benefit for 2 of its members they lost last year. On Saturday, April 13th at 3 pm at The Sands Atlantic Beach. Tickets are $40, food, drink, DJ & Raffle items. You can get tickets at the door or mail a check made out to "Hero Memorial Benefit", 89 East Jericho Tpke in Mineola 11501. UCOMM Radio's Brian Schneck and Ryan Birch will be there taking shots for ucommradio.com so come help raise money for the Lopez and Oliveri families.
We're Two. So time for a new song. We forgot to celebrate but UCOMM Radio just celebrated our second birthday. Hooray! So we thought it's time for a new intro song. If anyone has a good suggestion, email your pitch at feedback@ucommradio.com. Much respect to Spoon's Underdog but it's time to change it up and try on the big boy pants.
Labor Unions: America's Last Hope. Yes, union jobs offer about 15-percent higher wages and benefits, and yes, union safety programs are infinitely superior to non-union programs, and these by themselves are tremendous advantages to becoming a union member. But a union also offers something less tangible. A union contract provides an employee with dignity -- with the right to come to work and be treated with respect. And that is no small thing. If anyone is able to name another institution that can provide America's working class with the built-in dignity and economic advantages a union can, I'd love to hear it, because it ain't the federal government and it ain't philanthropic organizations. This is all about resistance. Without resistance, workers have no leverage. Without labor unions, the bullies will continue to win. Read David Macaray's entire article at huffingtonpost.com
Workers Memorial Mass Workers Memorial Mass. Monday, April 29th at 5:30 pm at St. Patrick's Church in Bay Shore, NY 11706. Reception to follow. Please bring your hardhat /uniform/ work gear for a blessing.
Sample letter to send to Andy about the Safe Patient Handling Bill
Hon. Andrew M. Cuomo
Governor
The Capitol
Albany, NY 12224
Dear Governor Cuomo:
I am joining with my health care union brothers and sisters in asking for your support of the NYS Safe Patient Handling Act (A. 2180-A /S. 1123-A). This bill passed in the Senate last year but didn’t get to your desk. Please sign this bill if it is passed by the legislature this year.
Health care workers are being injured at a higher rate than workers in any other industry in our state. New Jersey and six other states now have comprehensive Safe Patient Handling laws that have greatly reduced worker injuries, improved patient quality of care, and allowed health care facilities to realize a return on investment in equipment by reducing workers’ compensation and lost workdays.
Fast Food Nation. Acting US Secretary of Labor Seth Harris was in Philadelphia on Valentine’s Day to discuss the president's plan to raise the federal minimum wage to $9. Harris met with workers from the fast food sector. The workers shared their stories of sacrifice and hardship, and emphasized that no one who works full-time should have to raise a family in poverty. The president's plan will boost wages for about 15 million American workers. In New Jersey, the State Assembly passed SCR-1 which increases the minimum wage to $8.25 and includes the COLA. In the Empire State, the Assembly once again is at the forefront with legislation that mirrors the President’s State of the Union proposal. For somebody who works a forty-hour week, and earns the minimum wage of $7.25, their annual salary is $15,080 a year. Chubby New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who already vetoed an increase in minimum wage, spends over $15,080 a year on donuts and cheeseburgers.
Freeze this NIFA. The Nassau Interim Finance Authority – which is charged with running the Nassau County government because nobody has a clue what they are doing, was ordered by a Federal judge to lift a wage freeze imposed on the County workforce. County employees have been suffering under the NIFA imposed wage freeze since March of 2011. Since March 2011, Nassau County hired 113 full-time and 28 part-time and seasonal workers, at a cost of more than $7 million. They include two $70,000-a-year special assistants for the county executive and his staff, a $65,000 community service representative for the traffic violations bureau and 17 new full-time political hacks at the county Board of Elections.
Congress went home. Tens of thousands of working people called their member of Congress on St. Valentine’s Day to urge the overpaid and underworked shills of 1% to protect Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid from benefit cuts by repealing the “sequester” and close loopholes for Wall Street and the wealthiest 2% of Americans. These calls must have fell on deaf ears because Congress went home. SO if you see your member of Congress out and about – tell them to get their asses back to Washington, they have work to do!
Edith’s in heaven. The founder of the Flight Attendants Union, Edith Lauterbach, died at 91 years old on February 4th. Lauterbach fought for non-discriminatory hiring, job security, regulations in the airline industry over a long-standing career beginning in 1944.
Did you read the New York Times? The article was titled “At Cablevision, Norma Rae’s Benn Escorted Out.” Michael Powell wrote; Cablevision takes pride in its open-door policy for employees. So two weeks ago, a tight-knit band of cable television installers gathered at a company depot in Canarsie, Brooklyn, to pick up route sheets and put ladders and tools in their vans. Then they trooped inside to ask a vice president for a few minutes of his time.{ } They wanted to ask the vice president if Cablevision was serious about a contract agreement, or if it wanted only to break their union. They waited for 20 minutes to talk, then 20 more. Then the vice president walked in { } “Ladies and gentlemen I am sorry to tell you that you’ve all been permanently replaced.” Read the entire story. Newsday is refusing to report the full story, ask them why at letters@newsday.com
Laborers 66 on National TV. Watch Letterman this Monday, Jan. 28th to see a member of the rank & file from Laborers Local 66 give the infamous top ten. Who is it? That's all we can tell you right now so tune in and spread the word.
AFL-CIO wants your feedback. What Do You Want in the Next Secretary of Labor? Secretary Hilda Solis is leaving her post as Secretary of Labor, and the AFL-CIO wants someone as committed to Workers' Rights the next time around. What makes a good labor secretary? What do you want them to accomplish? Let the AFL-CIO know in this neat questionnaire page they created and they will run your feedback up the flagpole. We will miss you Hilda thanks for your dedication and your service.
Wow, its awesome. On MLK Day 2013, IBEW 94 based in Hightstown NJ launched their new website. With high resolution graphic banner images, a video & photo gallery, social networking links, RSS news feeds from the IBEW & AFL-CIO, newsletter submission forms, recent news updates, and an easy to use navigation menu bar, this site is on the cusp of modern union communications. Check the site out on your tablets and smartphones too. Business Manager Chip Gerrity is informally inviting the community to sign up for 94's blast text messaging so go check it out now at ibew94.org.
A righteous party! Dressed to impress and feeling victorious, more than 400 people came out on a cold January 21 night to enjoy an "Evening of Elegance" at the 2013 Central New York Presidential Inaugural Gala at the Syracuse OnCenter in upstate New York. Hosted by 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, this inaugural gala was to designed not only to celebrate the re-election of President Obama and honor the life and dreams of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but to thank 1199SEIU members and Central New York's devoted volunteers for their hard work during the election season. "I think it's a good way to bring a national election home to the community," said Marty Liquori, union chairman for the maintenance and clerical division at Crouse Hospital, "the hard work we put in and the votes that we cast did make a difference." (Thanks for the feed from the CNY Area Labor Federation).
It's freaking cold dude! News from OSHAi; January's frigid temperatures are sweeping across much of the nation, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is on the case. Outdoor workers engaged in activities during extreme cold are at risk of trench foot, frostbite, hypothermia and other illnesses. OSHA has life-saving information available for employers and workers. If you're involved in emergency response after severe winter weather or everyday work happening outdoors, OSHA has information for you. Click here and be safe out there.
66's ultimate gift. On January 24th, the General Building and Construction Laborers Local 66 held a blood drive before their General Membership meeting and collected 24 pints of blood. Their Blood Drive & BBQ in the summer yields more pints but at least the union responds to the need to give all year round with little or no recognition. Good work 66 you probably saved a life today!
New York's New Labor Blood. The NYS Assembly has made Amy Paulin of Westchester the new Energy Committee Chair and Carl Heastie of the Bronx the new Labor Committee Chair. These politicians have always been strong advocates for working people and we hope to see good things from them in the 2013 legislative session.
Mayor Mike Sucks. The NYS AFL-CIO released a statement about the NYC School Bus Strike, it reads: "Once again, the Mayor has failed New York City school children. First, he threw the lives of children and their parents in turmoil through his unwillingness to include critical safeguards in school bus bids, and now as the teacher evaluation agreement falls apart, he is costing City schools millions of dollars in desperately needed aid. The Mayor is displaying a shocking inability to lead, and children are paying the price. As much as he may try to distance himself from the strike or compare teachers to the NRA in order to distract from his failures, the simple truth is New York City voters elected him to get things done, and clearly he is not delivering." Watch this video on ucommradio.com and text SAFETY1ST to 878787 to stay in the loop on this issue.
Well put Charlie. The NJ AFL-CIO's Charles Wowkanech put this out about MLK Day and is worth a read; " Dr. King's dream is a challenge to our country to live up to its potential. He dismissed the notion that failure was even an option. He also realized that in order to move forward, our country needs to be unified. These lessons are timeless and remain critical to our progress as a nation. Our work's not done. Let us carry on the legacy of Dr. King together."
Did you see the new corvette! At the 2013 North American International Auto Show, it's all about cars, drivers, an accelerating industry and a jobs renaissance. US Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis traveled to Detroit for the show, where she was joined by Bob King, president of United Auto Workers, and met UAW members who built the cars on display. Several of those UAW members have credited the Obama administration's efforts to rescue the Big Three automakers as well as its strong emphasis on in-sourcing manufacturing as essential to bolstering their jobs and the industry. During the tour, Solis saw the latest products and technology being introduced by General Motors, Ford and Chrysler and also had an opportunity to test drive a new Chevy Volt. UCOMM Communication's web designer Ryan Birch drives the Chevy Volt.
Just in from the White House and a great thing to do with your kids. On Saturday, Jan. 19th, President Obama and the First Lady, will be taking part in an event that's become a tradition -- a National Day of Service on the weekend of Martin Luther King Day to celebrate Dr. King's legacy. No matter where you are in America, you have an opportunity to join this effort and serve your community. The Presidential Inaugural Committee has helped to organize events all over the country. Visit their site to find a service opportunity near you.
Making Progress. The AFL-CIO recently sent out a communication saying we have momentum on the Senate Filibuster Rules Reform issue. If you haven't done so, now is the perfect time to call a staffer down in DC to urge them to tell their boss to get their shit together. Learn more and call now 1-877-782-8274.
Join Team UCOMM. ucommblog.com is looking for contributing writers, reporters and columnist to join the team. Please send your writing samples to feedback@ucommradio.com and we will plug you into the details. All professions and industries welcome. The launch date is coming...sometime soon, we think.
Good luck Hilda. UCOMM Radio would like to commend a member of President Obama's cabinet for her hardwork, dedication and perseverance. On Jan. 9th, US Dept of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis resigned from her position as a steadfast advocate of working people. She will truly be missed and we wish her the very best.
Senate Reform on everyone's "to do" list. It seems like every union in the United States is urging their Senator to pass Senate Rule Reforms. Thousands have been writing, calling and emailing their Senators to support some common sense reforms. In a letter that is circulating, it reads; "Whereas Senators once resorted to filibustering only in rare and exceptional instances of intense opposition, rampant obstruction has now transformed standard operating procedure. If Senate Rules do not change, then the Koch brothers, Mitt Romney and the teabaggers will delay any progress to be made in Washington. Make a call folks at 1-888-966-9836 and when you do, dispense with the pleasantries and tell the lawmakers enough is enough and get their act together and co-sponsor Senate Resolution 4 & 6. If you go to ucommradio.com right now, you can watch a video of just how dysfunctional the Senate is.
Another Front Organization. The AFL-CIO reported for several months now that the "Fix the Debt" group is a front organization that cynically calls for cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits in the name of "deficit reduction". They advocate for lower taxes for corporations and businesses that ship jobs overseas.
The New York Times reports that Erskine Bowles, a co-founder of Fix the Debt, was paid $345,000 in stock and cash in 2011 as a board member at Morgan Stanley, while Judd Gregg, a former Republican senator from New Hampshire and a co-chairman of Fix the Debt, is a paid adviser to Goldman Sachs.
New Leader in the Long Island Building Trades. Last month the President of the Nassau Suffolk Building & Constriction Trades Council announced his retirement. In an article in Newsday on December 20th, Jimmy Catellane, a former organizer with Insulators Local 12 who ran the trades council for 6 years, is recommending Ironworkers Local 361's Richard O'Kane as his successor when he leaves the post in June 2013.
Contributing writers needed. As we dot our i's and cross our t's, ucommblog.com is looking for contributing writers, reporters, columnist and opinion-ist to join the team. Please send your very best writing samples to feedback@ucommradio.com and we will plug you into the details. The launch date is coming...we just to know when. Soon we promise..kinda.
It's not too late! IBEW 1049, the men and woman at National Grid on Long Island, are organizing a Toy and Food Drive. Toys will be distributed to kids in areas hit hard by Sandy. All are welcome to give, go to ibew1049.org/ToyandFoodDrive for details. 1049 will be delivering the massive amounts of toys next week and UCOMM Radio will be there to witness God's work. Good job 1049!
An amazin' socially conscience resource. Check out this Made in America, union-made gift guide. Some highlights from the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor's resource site, Labor411.org include quality products like Apparel and Accessories, Toys, Sporting Equipment and Wine & Beer. UCOMM Radio's official beer is Miller Highlife - just in case your wondering what to get us for Christmas. See the entire list here.
Nice work Alvin. It is rare that we read something we agree with in Cablevision Corp's Newsday, but this very accurate column by Newsday Editorial Board member Alvin Bessent hit the nail right on the head on the consequences of the Right to Work for Less law recently passed in Michigan. It's titled: Bad news for unions is bad news for workers. The article was read and tweeted out by the AFL-CIO's Richard Trumka too; @RichTrunka Reading - Bessent: Michigan's union news is bad news for middle classhttp://bit.ly/QX0hl5
FEMA extends deadline.. in New York from December 31, 2012 to January 28, 2013. Assistance for individuals and families can include money for rental assistance, essential home repairs, personal property losses and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance. Residents in the following counties are eligible for assistance: Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Richmond, Rockland, Westchester, Suffolk, Queens, Orange, Putnam, Sullivan and Ulster.
Individuals can register online at disasterassistance.gov.
ucommblog.com is coming to town. We are looking for columnist and advertisers. It is poetry in motion folks and is our next project that is bound to get us sued sooner or later, inquire at feedback@ucommradio.com
Michigan. UAW President Bob King was interviewed on WDET in Detroit one day after Republicans in the Michigan House and Senate turned their backs on working families and rewarded their corporate cronies by passing union-busting legislation that Gov. Rick Snyder says he will sign.
Don't ever buy News Corp's NYPost. But just in case you did you may have read the article about CWA 1109 protesting outside an event at the Hard Rock Cafe at a fundraising event that Cablevision CEO J. Dolan was having. In typical fashion the Post ran a factually untrue anti-union article. The truth is CWA 1109 did not disrupt event in any way shape or form. 1109 had a band from Local 802 musician's Union playing Christmas Carols and 1109 handed out flyer describing the good work of the Lustgarten Foundation while pointing out Cable's record of greed and worker intimidation. Cablevision uses this awful disease and exploits its victims to put themselves in a positive light, and it's sad that innocent people are used as a PR tool while while Jimmy Dolan hides behind them. So UCOMM Radio sent a nasty email to the writer - bsanderson@nypost.com, and asked him to come onto the show and explain himself. So take a wild guess whose not going to be on the show next Sunday. Cowards.
Food, Toys and a Newsday Ad. In case you missed it, last Sunday IBEW 1049 had a color advertisement in Newsday thanking Long Islanders for their patience and praising their members for a job well done. 1049 is organizing a toy and food drive. Toys will be distributied to kids in areas hit hard by Sandy. All are welcome to give, go to ibew1049.org/ToyandFoodDrive for details and don't be cheap! Buy a good expensive union made toy...
Union Made in the USA. The New Jersey State AFL-CIO has released a list of toys that kids will love and that don't exploit children in the third world. At Christmas, kids should be opening up toys with a smile, not making toys in a sweatshop with tears.
Child slaves freed in India. Click here to read the saddest Christmas story ever told. Makes you think twice about buying anything from India again and those decorations on your tree...where did they come from?
NHL Lockouti going grassroots. News from the Bleacher Report - The classic way of protesting with picket signs and chants outside the NHL headquarters in NYC, it worked with some success in the '60s, why not now? Get a chance to find out this Saturday December 1st at 1 pm in the Big Apple. Some fans are trying to organize a protest outside the NHL headquarters, like the UAW's George Albro, so if you happen to be in the city and want to protest - stop by and get rowdy. Suck it Gary Betteman!
The Fiscal Cliff is bull crap. Right now, legislators in Washington are negotiating a deal to avoid a "fiscal cliff." The truth is, there's no cliff-this is just an excuse to cut programs working people depend on like Medicare and Social Security, and protect tax cuts for the wealthy. We need to pressure our elected officials to make sure they don't give in to political pressure and support a bad deal just to avoid the phony "cliff." CALL YOUR CONGRESS PERSON, Dial 888-659-9401, You'll hear a short message and then be prompted to enter your zip code. When you're connected, tell your legislators this message on cwa1109.org/EndtheBushTaxCuts
IBEW 1049 to run an ad in Newsday on Sunday. We don't want to spoil the surprise but here is a sneak peak at some of the text of the union that worked tirelessly to restore power to millions on Long Island. Some of the ad reads: "The members of our union deserve to be recognized for their professionalism and dedication. IBEW 1049 handled this difficult situation under tremendous duress, but the love of our community and our selfless dedication to our neighbors far outweighed the long hours and our personal sacrifices." It is an extremely powerful message and we are proud of 1049 for doing the right thing. Look for it on Sunday in Newsday's Long Island edition.
Rest in Peace brother Reader submission to feedback@ucommradio.com: Every time a professional athlete cashes one of his multimillion dollar checks he should stop and thank Marvin Miller. Marvin Julian Miller died this week at the age of 95 and while he might not be a household name to younger generations anyone who values the labor movement should take the time to understand what he meant to it. Miller's experience with unions was far reaching in his career where he spent stints with the Machinist Union, the UAW, and the United Steel Workers. In 1966 Miller took over as the executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association and this is where he changed the labor relations of professional sports forever. The terms of being a MLB player in 1966 are a far cry from what we see today. Players were bound to teams for life and had a minimum salary of $6,000.00 a year. In 1968 Miller negotiated the first ever CBA with owners which instantly raised the minimum salary to $10,000.00 a year which was the first raise in over two decades.
It also granted players access to arbitration which they
had never had before. In 1975 under Miller's careful guidance players gained
the right to free agency which changed the sports landscape forever. Miller
has been called one of the most important people in baseball history and his
contributions that helped forge one of the strongest unions this country has
ever seen should not be forgotten.