The Labor Media Podcast: Recent Episodes
Labor Media
The Labor Media Podcast is an informational and entertaining podcast that will examine important news and events in the world of labor relations from a labor perspective. This podcast will also feature interviews with important figures in the field of labor relations. Uploads will be every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Hosted by Brendan.
In this episode, I discuss the history of one of the most iconic sights on a picket line, Scabby the Rat. I cover how Scabby was invented, what he is used for, and how he won First Amendment Rights.
Articles I referenced:
- For decades, Scabby the rat has stood for workers’ rights (chicagoreader.com)2. Scabby The Rat Wins Free Speech Rights As A Symbol Of Labor Protest : NPR
In this episode, I discuss the topics of several upcoming podcast episodes and talk about the Illinois AFL-CIO and Chicago Federation of Labor's upcoming webinar on the entertainment strikes.
You can register for the webinar using this link:
https://aflcio.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_U6Watg1RT6CCdKgxz_-sqA#/registration
On June 7th, 2022, approximately 300 members of the Internation Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 went on strike in Chicago against Vulcan Materials Co., Lehigh Hanson, and Lafarge Holcim, which collectively make up CAAPA, or the Chicago Area Aggregate Producers' Association. Prior to the beginning of the strike, IUOE Local 150 filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board against CAAPA over bad faith bargaining and violation of employees' federally protected rights. The strike ended on July 26, 2022, with IUOE Local 150 members unanimously approving a new contract which guaranteed a 16% pay increase over the course of the three-year contract.
Sources I used for this episode:
Local 150 Goes on Strike Against Lehigh Hanson, Vulcan Materials, and Lafarge Holcim - IUOE Local 150 | International Union Of Operating EngineersChicago-Area Road Work Could Slow Down as Quarry Workers Strike Continues | Chicago News | WTTWChicago traffic: International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 150 unanimously approves new contract, ending 7 week strike - ABC7 ChicagoWorkers' Mic Radio Show/Podcast with Ed Maher and Ken Edwards:
The Workers’ Mic | WGN Radio 720 - Chicago's Very Own
In today's episode, I analyze the midterm elections and how the results will affect workers' rights and unions over the next two years and beyond.
In this episode, I discuss how so-called "right to work" laws lead to lower wages, lower standards of living, poor working conditions, and a weaker economy.
Why the Illinois Ballot Measure for this election, better known as the Workers' Rights Amendment, will guarantee better working conditions, be beneficial to workers and the unions that represent them, and ensure that workers have the right to collectively bargain.