Labor Lines

The so called “economic recovery” seem to be concentrated on Wall Street; the other 99% - on Main Street are still struggling. In this week’s program we focus on two campaigns about making the recovery work for everyone. First, we hear about a series of strikes and job actions that occurred around the country on Black Friday, focusing predominantly on Walmart for its mistreatment of workers. Then, members of the Fed Up campaign join us to talk about why the Federal Reserve has been so disconnected from Main Street. They argue the people should have a voice in Federal Reserve policy. You can subscribe to Labor-Lines Newsletter here, on I-Tunes / Stitcher or follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@LaborLines) Labor-Lines can be heard Saturday at 1:00 pm in NYC on AM-970 “The Answer” — 6:30 pm in Nassau County on AM -1240 WGBB — Sunday at 7:00 am in Suffolk County on WJVC 96.1 FM “My Country” – and at 8:00 am in Suff

Intro: From  the rank and file member  to the executive director of a Union, all great labor leaders need to build a strong understanding of labor history to develop a strong labor movement.  In a celebration of her life’s work, we talk to one of the iconic leaders of the Labor Movement, Lillian Roberts, who has announced her retirement as executive director of DC-37.  Then, we talk to Professor Kate Spaulding about how collaboration between IBEW local 3 and Empire State College assures workers  get their work  done while earning their Associates’ degrees.  

One generally assumes the struggle for better working conditions mainly occurs in the workplace. But the New York City Council has long championed workplace issues and now a former Union President is member of that body. Councilman Daneek Miller tells how his experience as a labor leader and former President of ATU Local 1056 has equipped him to advocate for workplace issues within the Council. Apurva Mehrotra, a policy analyst for the Community Service Society  has written an exhaustive study of how tipped workers struggle to make ends meet on a minimum wage far below that paid to most workers  He discusses his findings. It may shock you to learn that people in the country have to work for less than $3.00 an hour.

Many observers on the right and on the left expected it to be a “Republican Year.” But even Republicans were surprised at how well they did at the polls. This may have been a vote of no-confidence in the President, but will it come to bite back the voters who turned out a pro worker Senate?   Long Island’s Labor Leaders Provide Perspectives on Election   Roger Clayman is the Executive Director of the Long Island Federation of Labor, John R. Durso, President of RWDSU serves as the President of the Federation as well. They each independently discuss their concerns and observations over the election results. Admittedly labor took a “drubbing.” The people have spoken! We explore ways in which local labor leaders intend to deal with new Republican majorities in the U.S. Senate as well as the New York State Senate, and learn about labor’s relationships with newly elected officials, many of whom did not get labor’s endorsement. We discuss the surprises and upsets a

Today’s labor leaders face new challenges daily. To keep labor issues on the forefront, every labor leader should be well- armed with the necessary tools to develop strong labor campaigns. Gene Carroll, co-director of the NY State AFLCIO/Cornell Union Leadership Institute addressed how Cornell programs have been honing the skills that every labor leader needs. Jon Lentz, the Albany Bureau chief for “City and State” discusses programs designed to encourage women and minority entrepreneurs You can subscribe to Labor-Lines on I-Tunes / Stitcher or follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@LaborLines) Labor-Lines can be heard Saturday at 1:00 pm in NYC on AM-970 “The Answer” — 6:30 pm in Nassau County on AM -1240 WGBB — Sunday at 7:00 am in Suffolk County on WJVC 96.1 FM “My Country” – and at 8:00 am in Suffolk on WRCN “LI News Radio” 103.9 FM

Improving standards of work life requires a consorted effort from legislators and grassroots organizers and in these hard economic times, we are seeing both. First, Leticia James, Public Advocate for New York City, discusses the major issues for which she is advocating and explains why it is so important to have someone in the public sphere pushing for these causes. Then, three panelists involved in the wage rage rally that brought together low wage workers from various industries to demand a livable wage and better work conditions, explain what these workers have in common, and what has brought them together. You can subscribe to Labor-Lines on I-Tunes / Stitcher or follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@LaborLines) Labor-Lines can be heard Saturday at 1:00 pm in NYC on AM-970 “The Answer” — 6:30 pm in Nassau County on AM -1240 WGBB — Sunday at 7:00 am in Suffolk County on WJVC 96.1 FM “My Country” – and at 8:00 am in Suffolk on WRCN “LI News Radio” 103.9 F

As Election Day get closer, political contests become more and more heated. With the November 4th election less than a month away, we interviewed two labor supported candidates running tough races on Long Island. Congressman Tim Bishop discusses his close race to maintain his House seat. Adrienne Esposito, environmental activist for many years, is running for NY State Senate, as a Democrat in a very Republican District encompassing Brookhaven and Islip. Next, we (in the 99%) change gears to get some financial-planning tips from Stu Stein of North Shore Financial. You can subscribe to Labor-Lines on I-Tunes / Stitcher or follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@LaborLines) Labor-Lines can be heard Saturday at 1:00 pm in NYC on AM-970 “The Answer” — 6:30 pm in Nassau County on AM -1240 WGBB — Sunday at 7:00 am in Suffolk County on WJVC 96.1 FM “My Country” – and at 8:00 am in Suffolk on WRCN “LI News Radio” 103.9 FM

Every once in a while good government  reform proposals will be passed,. Unfortunately these occasions are few and far between.  This weeks program takes at look a  good piece of legislation that is being held up by the governor, on the one hand, and on the other,  a bad reform that is being promoted under the guise of “good government”.   Few New Yorkers have heard about “Prop 1.” Few know they will be asked to vote on this so called “reform proposal when they go into the voting booth in November. First we learn about Proposition 1 and a campaign in opposition to educate the public to understand this proposition is designed to institutionalize political cronyism. Next, we hear about the importance of the Veterans Equality bill and question why it is just sitting on the governor’s desk even though it passed with bi-partisan support in both the Assembly and the Senate.

From organizing on the ground to medical advocacy, advocates from vastly different perspectives call for safer and healthier workplaces. Ergonomist Dr. Jonathan Dropkin of North Shore LIJ is concerned that the need for ergonomically safe workplaces has taken a back step to other concerns since 9/11. Next, Nazma Akter an organizer from Bangladesh reveals how the 2013 Rana Plaza disaster has spurred workers to step-up mobilizing for basic worker rights and workplace safety. Finally, younger   IBEW local 3 members discuss how best to engage and educate a new generation in the labor movement. ou can subscribe to Labor-Lines on I-Tunes / Stitcher or follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@LaborLines) Labor-Lines can be heard Saturday at 1:00 pm in NYC on AM-970 “The Answer” — 6:30 pm in Nassau County on AM -1240 WGBB — Sunday at 7:00 am in Suffolk County on WJVC 96.1 FM “My Country” – and at 8:00 am in Suffolk on WRCN “LI News Radio” 103.9 FM

It’s an ongoing challenge to get labor’s story told in the press or in the classroom. Arguably, working people have been increasingly taken advantage of, in part, because of the lack of labor coverage. Dr. Angelica Santamauro, director of the American Labor Museum tells us about the founding of the museum and its ongoing mission to further the study of labor history. Then, we explore challenges faced by the media in trying to tell labor’s side of the story with Labor Press Reporter, Marc Bussanich,  who’s been increasingly turning to video to make Labor’s message more accessible. You can subscribe to Labor-Lines on I-Tunes / Stitcher or follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@LaborLines) Labor-Lines can be heard Saturday at 1:00 pm in NYC on AM-970 “The Answer” — 6:30 pm in Nassau County on AM -1240 WGBB — Sunday at 7:00 am in Suffolk County on WJVC 96.1 FM “My Country” – and at 8:00 am in Suffolk

Our first guest is Robert Holst, IBEW 3 member and co-founder of the Middle Class Action Project or MCAP which lobbies on behalf of working and advocates for an economy that strengthens the middle class. Then, we’ll speak with Adam Haber, a successful business owner running for New York State Senate. Middle Class Action Project Robert Holst is a member of IBEW local 3 and one of the co-founders of the Middle Class Action Project or MCAP. Holst tells us how the Middle Class Action Project is working across the political lines to strengthen the middle class and make sure that the economy works for everyone. He discusses some of the key campaign issues of MCAP such as encouraging everyone to buy American. Adam Haber, NY Senate Candidate Democratic candidate for New York State Senate Adam Haber, is a successful  entrepreneur.  After making his fortune on Wall Street, he established and continues to operate several multiple restaurants. He hopes to use his skills to develop the Long Island economy.

Super-storm Sandy was an unfortunate reminder that, whatever the cause, climate change is real and the repercussions affect each of us.  We all need to act now to do whatever we can to decelerate climate change.  We’ll speak with several labor activists to discuss the increasing role organized labor is taking in the environmental movement.  The Peoples’ Climate March takes place September 21st in NYC.  People from all walks of life will march in New York City to press our elected leaders to more seriously address the climate crisis. In the first half of this week’s program we’ll hear rank and file workers tell us about their experiences dealing with climate change related events. In the second half we will speak with three labor policy advocates to learn how labor can play an increasingly positive role in forming comprehensive climate policy. You can subscribe to Labor-Lines on I-Tunes / Stitcher or follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@LaborLines) Labor-Lines c

The World Trade Center attacks occurred 13 years ago. Responders and survivors are still struggling to get treated for ailments that resulted from their connections to the World Trade Center.  Some of the challengers are of their own making. This week we provide information to ensure that the responders have access to resources to help attain a degree of recovery.  Our guests: Dr. Jaqueline Moline, Chair and Vice President of the Department of Population Health at North Shore LIJ and a pioneer in the setting up of the World Trade Center Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program; Mildred Carter, a retired member of DC 37, made ill by her work near the World Trade Center during and after the attack, Liam Lynch, 9/11 Outreach Coordinator from DC 37, and Dr. Nomi Levy-Carrick, of NYU, Mental health director for the World Trade Center-Environmental Health Center. They share with us how they have seen treatment programs develop over the years and the efforts that were needed to develop the progra

Labor Day is that special day of the year when we celebrate the victories of the labor movement by enjoying a day of relaxation, before jumping back into the fray of fighting to protect the rights and benefits of working people. In recognition of this auspicious day we hear from Chris Erikson, the Business Manager for IBEW Local 3 and Grand Marshall for this years’ NYC Labor Day parade, being held on September 6th. Chris urges workers to join and become active in the labor movement or lose what they have. Chris is joined by Peter Meringolo, Chair of the Public Employee Conference and Richard Mulvaney, a noted labor attorney. They urge unions to support one another to keep the labor movement strong. Next we hear from Assemblyman Peter Abbate, a ling-time champion for Government Employees, for an update on public employee issues and a discussion of the Triborough Amendment, a labor provision under attack by some government officials You can subscribe to Labor-Lines on I-Tunes / Stitcher or follow us on Fa

The first phase of the affordable care act, a/k/a Obamacre, has come and gone. This fall, enter stage two. Dan Persons, formerly of Local 1451 (DC 37) and Rueben Quintero join us to talk discuss the intricacies and interlationships of Medicare, Obamacare and explain what the approaching deadlines mean for the average worker. Next, Chris Perez examines “Labor Rights as Civil Rights” a book which offers a unique solution to the anti-union discrimination that has become so prevalent in the United States. Finally, several aspiring union women labor broadcasters interviewed each other about training female leaders in the union movement. You can subscribe to Labor-Lines on I-Tunes / Stitcher or follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@LaborLines) Labor-Lines can be heard Saturday at 1:00 pm in NYC on AM-970 “The Answer” — 6:30 pm in Nassau County on AM -1240 WGBB — Sunday at 7:00 am in Suffolk County on WJVC 96.1 FM “My Country” – and at 8:00 am in Suffolk County on

The Great Recession caused many businesses and workers to reconsider how they do business. One of the rediscovered tools for economic empowerment is worker cooperatives. San Francisco may lead the country in terms of worker cooperatives but recent legislative changes in New York may help incubate more worker owned cooperatives. Chris Michael, a lawyer, and doctoral candidate at CUNY is a founding director of the New York City Network of Worker Cooperatives. He joins us along with Shannon, an architect and founder of a design-build firm called “Build with Prospect.” Shannon, with Michael’s guidance, recently transitioned his company to a worker cooperative. We’ll learn how worker cooperatives can be good for business and for workers. Then, we hear about a report developed by Brandworkers which details the working conditions for the people who make our food. Lawrence Goun is a student at the Cornell Institute for Labor Relations and Diana Marino is an organizer with Brandworkers. They&rs

Fighting to raise the minimum wage; advocating for immigration reform ; challenging inequality. What do all of these have in common? They were all themes at “Justice Works 2014,” an annual conference convened by Citizen Action of New York.  Progressive minds from around New York State met in Albany to unravel some of the most pressing problems facing New Yorkers.  Kristina Andreotta , the New York City Campaign Manager for Citizen Action spoke with us about the purpose of “ Justice Works” and described how Citizen Action of New York hopes to address a range of issues at the state and local level. Next we learn about a very sad paradox, restaurant workers who cannot afford a healthy meal. We speak with Raul Saksena , the Policy Director for Restaurant Opportunities Center of New York (ROC NY),  Diana Robinson, campaign and education coordinator for Food Chain Worker Alliance and Carolina Portillo, a waitress at a restaurant in Manhattan, to learn about how restaurant work

During the final years of the Bloomberg Administration the majority of union contracts in New York City were allowed to expire. Negotiations were virtually non-existent. Eventually most unions gave up any hope obtaining new contracts. Labor leaders held out hope of reaching a fair deal with the incoming administration. The hope was not misplaced. To date, DeBlasio’s administration has been amenable to contract negotiations. Key contracts, such as the Teachers and the Transport Workers have been resolved. This week we talk to principals of two unions that recently resolved their contract disputes, one in the public and one in the private sector. David Paskin, Associate Director of DC 37 AFSCME Research and Negotiations department, will discuss the challenges of negotiating under Bloomberg (or lack thereof) and how this recently negotiated contract will benefit DC 37 members and New York City as a whole. George Gresham, the President of 1199 SEIU, one of the largest unions in the state (over 430,000 membe

The United States Infrastructure is failing and rather than Congress stepping in to fix the problem there’s simply more deadlock. Our guest ,Richard Greer , Director of Strategic Communications for the Laborers International Union of North America, (“LiUNA”),  details how dangerously deteriorated our infrastructure has become. Next, John Coverdale, retired  Regional Director of NYSUT in Nassau County, tells us how he is utilizing his labor-union skill set in his new role as a consultant,  helping labor and management resolve labor relations issues in the workplace.

Labor Lines regularly reports on the challenges facing the labor movement, and the exciting plans labor leaders have to effect positive change. In this week’s program we explore how creative filmmakers and writers are brining labor’s story to the big screen and to your book shelves. Capturing Labor’s Story in Films Labor-Lines has frequently focused on the handiworks of labor oriented filmmakers. “Brothers on the Line,” “American Made” and various other films have been the subjects of our shows. In collaboration with Sasha Reuther, writer/director of Brothers on the Line, we assembled a panel of filmmakers to discuss three films at various stages of production to show what is involved in bringing powerful labor stories to the big screen. Sara Ziff, a professional model and founder of the Model Alliance, is an activist pushing for better working conditions in Bangladesh. She’s developing a film called “Tangled Thread.” The recently released trailer