Generating Cash for Newspapers

While visiting friends in Sacramento two weeks ago I paid the Sacramento Bee a short visit, and discovered something different to generate some additional cash. As most newspapers have reached staffing limits through layoffs, many are seeking alternatives in locating lost revenue to the digital world. After the newsprint is spent the remaining newsprint and cores are recycled by weight at a very low rate, the Sacramento Bee has found a way to generate much more money by selling the used newsprint cores to the public. Without being specific I was told they sell many of the used cores to the public, something other newspapers may want to give a shot at as revenues for the hard copy of newspapers continue there slide downwards.

Los Angeles Times Pressmen Gatherings

Last Tuesday and Thursday the Pressmen and women from the Los Angeles Times gathered for cocktails and food at Weiland’s Brewery, and breakfast at Carroll’s Restaurant for breakfast.

Everyone had a great time reminiscing about the good old days before the Tribune Company tore the company apart.

The photographs from the two events can be viewed on Flickr by following this link.

  

Top photo: Harold Rios (left) and Eric Harrison
Middle Photo: George and Richard Fortiville
Bottom Photo: Victor Banuelos, Owen Brennan, Edward, Liz Mercado, and Tony Ramirez

Funny Church Moments

Who ever said church couldn’t be hilarious? Here are some of the best unorthodox church moments and faux pas ever, you’ll be rolling on the floor!

Today in Labor History

April 30
 
An explosion at the Everettville mine in Everettville, W. Va., kills 109 miners, many of whom lie in unmarked graves to this day - 1927

Obama Administration’s National Labor Relations Board implements new rules to speed up unionization elections. New rules are largely seen as a counter to employer manipulation of the law to prevent workers from unionizing - 2012

MAY IS ‘CALFRESH AWARENESS MONTH’

 

 

MAY IS ‘CALFRESH AWARENESS MONTH’
CAMPAIGN AIMS TO REDUCE HUNGER IN THE COUNTY OF L.A.

According to a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) report on food insecurity, the number of U.S. homes lacking adequate food more than tripled in the last four years. In Los Angeles County (home to 10.4 million residents), it’s estimated that only half of those eligible are receiving CalFresh – the supplemental nutrition food benefit previously called Food Stamps.

Despite a record high number of 1,061,000 individuals that received CalFresh benefits in January 2012, there are still many residents in immediate need of assistance that are unaware that they may be eligible for CalFresh.

This year, the campaign has enlisted the help of local supermarkets and farmer’s markets, food banks, and school districts, to educate the community about healthier food choices and the long-term benefits of exercise.

For more information on CalFresh benefits, visit www.dpssbenefits.lacounty.gov or call the DPSS Health and Nutrition Hotline at 1 (877) 597-4777.

Election Results

The election conducted via mail results are as follows:

Cesar Calderon 14 votes
Keith Denson 18 votes

Mike Brierley 15 votes
Tim Robinson 18 votes

Edward Padgett

Recording Secretary

GCC/IBT Local 140-N

In Newport Beach: New Doc about veterans HIGH GROUND

This Sunday at 6PM at Triangle Square in Costa Mesa, the Newport Beach Film Festival will be screening the new veteran documentary, HIGH GROUND.  Tickets are $13 and may be purchased here: High Ground : Festival Genius.
Tickets will be held at Will Call.

High Ground is a feature-length documentary about 11 wounded warriors and 1 Gold and Blue Star mother who climb Mt. Lobouche in the Himalayas. While recounting their war time experiences, the veterans find teamwork, friendship, and healing on the journey.  High Ground was produced by Don Hahn (The Lion King) and Directed by five time Everest climber and three time Emmy winner Michael Brown.

• Our website is: http://highgroundmovie.com  (Watch our Trailer, download our PressKit, & Images)
• Our Facebook page is: http://facebook.com/highgroundmovie

Through the Lens of a Child

If you get an opportunity please come out and see the great images captured by the students in the arts facet photography program sponsored by the Inglewood Pacific chapter of the Links incorporated at Inglewood High School in conjunction with (MPJI) Minority Photo/Journalism Institute. It is amazing what our young people can do when given an opportunity to do positive things! -Iconic history-making Photo/Journalist Haywood Galbreath

Today in Labor History

April 27

First strike for 10 hour day, by Boston carpenters - 1825

James Oppenheim’s poem “Bread and Roses” published in IWW newspaper “Industrial Solidarity” - 1946

President Dwight Eisenhower signs Executive Order 10450: Security Requirements for Government Employment. The order listed “sexual perversion” as a condition for firing a federal employee and for denying employment to potential applicants - 1953
[Reviving the Strike: How Working People can Regain Power and Transform America: If the American labor movement is to rise again, says author Joe Buns, it will not be as a result of electing Democrats, the passage of legislation, or improved methods of union organizing. Rather, workers will need to rediscover the power of the strike. Not the ineffectual strike of today, where employees meekly sit on picket lines waiting for scabs to take their jobs, but the type of strike capable of grinding industries to a halt—the kind employed up until the 1960s. In the UCS bookstore now.]




 

 SOURCE: Union Communications Services, Inc.

Thursday Night in the Blogosphere

TV Cafe being remodeled?

How tech’s giants want to re-invent journalism - Fit to Print

Newsday suffers under Cablevision ownership - Romenesko

Contra Costa Times paper to consolidate copy editing - Poynter

District 751 sponsors drive to aid local food bank - Machinists News

1992 Remembered: Prophets and Prisoners of War - Steven Mikulan

Exxon Mobil Among Corporations Helping Write State Laws - Bloomberg

LAT Editor Spotlights Famous Pair of Spring Street Scissors - Fishbowl LA

Traffic to Newspaper Websites Continues to Surge - Newspaper Death Watch

Can an Algorithm Write a Better News Story Than a Human Reporter? - Wired

New York Times Staffers Protest Contract Negotiations - Broadcast Union News

Information on the Tribune Company Bankruptcy

Tribune Company (Creditors' Committee)

Welcome to the Tribune Company, et al. Chapter 11 Official Creditors' Committee Information Website.

Main Debtor: Tribune Company - Case No. 08-13141 (KJC)

List of Debtors: Click here to view a list of the affiliate Debtors.

Filing Date: December 8, 2008

Bankruptcy Court: The United States Bankruptcy Court for District of Delaware (www.deb.uscourts.gov)

CONFIRMATION: On October 31, 2011, the Bankruptcy Court entered an Order denying confirmation (the "Confirmation Opinion") of each of the two competing plans of reorganization for the Debtors: the Second Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization for the Debtors Proposed by the Debtors, the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors, Oaktree Capital Management, L.P., Angelo, Gordon & Co., L.P., and JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. (as modified April 26, 2011) (the “Second Amended DCL Plan”) and the Third Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization for Tribune Company and its Subsidiaries Proposed by Aurelius Capital Management, LP, on Behalf of its Managed Entities, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, in its Capacity as Successor Indenture Trustee for Certain Series of Senior Notes, Law Debenture Trust Company of New York, in its Capacity as Successor Indenture Trustee for Certain Series of Senior Notes, and Wilmington Trust Company, in its Capacity as Successor Indenture Trustee for the PHONES Notes (the “Noteholder Plan”). On Friday, November 18, 2011, the Debtors, the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors, Oaktree Capital Management, L.P., Angelo, Gordon & Co., L.P., and JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. (the “DCL Plan Proponents”) filed the Third Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization For Tribune Company and Its Subsidiaries (the “Third Amended DCL Plan”), together with a supplement to the previously-approved disclosures respecting the Second Amended DCL Plan (the “Supplemental Disclosure Document"), which describes the modifications reflected in the Third Amended DCL Plan that were made to address the issues identified in the Confirmation Opinion as preventing confirmation of the Plan. Notice will be provided to creditors and parties in interest once the Bankruptcy Court schedules the date and time for the hearing to consider approval of the Supplemental Disclosure Document and establishment of procedures for certain creditors affected by the modifications reflected in the Third Amended DCL Plan to re-vote on and make elections under such Plan. Please click for links to the Confirmation Opinion and related order, the Third Amended DCL Plan, the Noteholder Plan, the Supplemental Disclosure Documents, and other confirmation related documents.

EXAMINER'S REPORT FILED: Please note that the statements and opinions expressed in the Examiner's report filed with the Bankruptcy Court and available on this Web Site are solely those of the Examiner, and neither the Debtors, the Creditors' Committee nor any of their affiliates make any representations or warranties, expressed or implied, or assume any legal liability or responsibility, for the veracity or completeness of the statements contained therein. The Debtors’ views with respect to the LBO-Related Causes of Action may be found in Article VII of the Disclosure Statement click here; however, it should be noted that such views are solely those of the Debtors and do not represent the opinions or views of the Creditors' Committee or its members. To access a copy of the Examiner’s Report, Exhibits to Report or Transcripts, click on the links below: Volume 1 - Summary of Principal Conclusions, Overview and Conduct of the Examination, and Factual Background Volume 2 - Findings and Conclusions Concerning Questions One Volume 3 - Findings and Conclusions Concerning Questions Two and Three Volume 4 - Glossary of Defined Terms Exhibits to Report Transcripts

Sammy Maloof at His Nesting Place

Last Saturday the Sammy Maloof Racing Team traveled to His Nesting Place in Long Beach, California to aid Pastor Al in raising funds for his unwed mothers home. Eleven young women at any given time are housed, clothed, and fed at this loving church.

The racing team assembled at 10:00 am, but Sammy Maloof arrived much earlier and had already offloaded his 450 horse powered 1967 Chevy Camero into position for the stunt show. Sammy and his group is a tireless bunch that enjoys serving the community in many different endeavors.

The fundraiser was scheduled to run from 11:00 am through 3:00 pm, which Sammy completely ignored to insure every child was given the opportunity to take a ride in his muscle car. It was either run out of fuel or run out of riders on Saturday, and I’m happy to say, everyone was given a ride.

We wrapped up the last ride at 6:30 pm and left the event well spent, sunburned, yet pleased that we made some money for a worthy cause and made the day special for many children.

I captured 590 photographs over the two weekends we spent at His Nesting Place, which can be viewed on Flickr.

Today in Labor History

April 26
The U.S. House of Representatives passes House Joint Resolution No. 184, a constitutional amendment to prohibit the labor of persons under 18 years of age. The Senate approved by the measure a few weeks later, but it was never ratified by the states and is still technically pending - 1924

On the orders of President Roosevelt, the U.S. Army seizes the Chicago headquarters of the unionized Montgomery Ward & Co. after management defies the National Labor Relations Board - 1944


 SOURCE: Union Communications Services, Inc.

California Lottery going down for system upgrade

Upcoming System Maintenance

Beginning at 10:00pm on Saturday April 28, 2012 all Lottery terminals in authorized California Lottery Retailers will be down for maintenance to upgrade our system. This upgrade will improve our sales capacity and prepare us for future games.

Players will not be able to purchase any Lottery products during this time or claim prizes. The terminals will be down for at least 12 hours and we anticipate that we’ll be back in business by approximately 11:00am on Sunday April 29, 2012.

We apologize for this inconvenience and we thank you for your patience. For additional information and to check the latest winning numbers, please visit calottery.com. As always, we continually strive to improve our processes and systems for your enjoyment.

Thank you,

California Lottery Team

Breakfast with the LA Times Pressmen tomorrow

Emmett Jaime III with Dale Stoner in the middle.

LA Times Retirees Breakfast

From Emmett:

Its time again to make your plans to join us for breakfast get together on April 26th. It will be our last get together before summer and until sometime in November so you don't want to miss this one. Please try to be there. The last breakfast we had 43 people so lets hope we can better that number this month. So make your plans and come join us. 

Here's the date and time.


Where: Carrows Restaurant
21130 E.Golden Springs
Diamond Bar,Ca.91789
Phone: 909-598-5359
Date: April 26th
Time: 9:30am

Wednesday Morning in the Blogosphere

The Sacramento River

Local Editor Ponders Future - Fishbowl LA

McClatchy posts loss in first quarter - Sacramento Bee

‘Bridging the News Industry’s Digital Divide’ - Fit to Print

25 suburban newspapers blanket region - Columbus Dispatch

U-T San Diego memo: ‘With change, comes change’ - Romenesko

Journatic offered to pay employees not to talk to reporters - Poynter

E-Readers cannot replace paper-bound books - Tracy High School

Tribune Creditors Seek to Add $222 Million Claim in Lawsuits - Bloomberg

Tampa Tribune parent company posts $32 million loss in first quarter - Tampabay

Walmart Bribery Bombshell: Case Could Cost Company Billions - Steven Mikulan

Today in Labor History

April 25

The New York Times declares the struggle for an eight-hour workday to be “un-American” and calls public demonstrations for the shorter hours “labor disturbances brought about by foreigners.” Other publications declare that an eight-hour workday day would bring about “loafing and gambling, rioting, debauchery and drunkenness” - 1886

IWW Marine Transport Workers begin West Coast strike - 1923

The Rev. Ralph David Abernathy and 100 others are arrested while picketing a Charleston, S.C. hospital in a demand for union recognition - 1969

Supreme Court rules that employers may not require female employees to make larger contributions to pension plans in order to obtain the same monthly benefits as men - 1978


 SOURCE: Union Communications Services, Inc.

Los Angeles Times Employees Party

Los Angeles Times Get Together "TODAY"

The Pressmen’s Twenty Year Club will be hosting a cocktail party at Weiland’s Brewery on Tuesday April 24^th, 2012 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and this event is open to everyone that would be interested in attending.

The cost is what ever you purchase; the brewery offers a full bar and great food.

  

I’ll see you there.

400 E. 1^st Street

Los Angeles, CA. 90012

213.680.2881

Located at 1^st and Alameda

Let's make Mayday in NYC a day to remember!

Today in Labor History

April 24
The International Longshoremen’s and Warehousemen’s Union halts shipping on the West Coast in solidarity with Mumia Abu-Jamal, a Philadelphia journalist whom many believed was on death row because he was an outspoken African-American - 1999








SOURCE: Union Communications Services, Inc.

Comedy For Cure

Please, if you have a heart. Share this event with your friends. It's for a brave little boy in the battle of his life. This Sunday, we're doing this for Angel. Please be there.

The Value of Our Pension and What's at Risk

This memo was sent to New York Times staffers: 

Subject: your colleagues on Guild pension video, now up on YouTube

A few weeks ago, the Guild asked a number of the paper’s journalists to sit down and talk on video about the negotiations, the issues important to them, how they feel about working at the Times, and so on.

The first video is finally ready. It is about several issues, but particularly about pensions: why they are so valuable, and how much the Times is trying to take from us by demanding a pension freeze.

 The original target audience is inside our own building –members who may have doubts about fighting to save the pension.

But it’s powerful enough – I think – to be shown to any audience.

Please have a look – it includes David Dunlap, Jim Dwyer, Clyde Haberman, John Schwartz, Nadia Taha, Joyce Wadler, George Vecsey, Willy Rashbaum, Claiborne Ray, Erik Piepenburg, Andrea Kannapell, Karen Grzelewski, Jennifer Mascia, Kevin Sack and myself. Others also spoke and I gather the plan is to use them in future videos

Changes Changes Changes

Blogger has made a complete overhaul of the way we create and post information, so bear with me as I become accustom to the new format.

Monday Morning in the Blogosphere

California Capital Building

From the Chicago Tribune... - LAObserved

A Union Buster Strikes Out - Frying Pan News

Here's the now-famous 'f**k' photograph - Gannett Blog

Chicago Tribune outsources hyperlocal news - Romenesko

AP’s copyright lawsuit threatens all search engines - Steve Myers

New York Times explains decline in digital ad dollars - Fit To Print

Community Newspapers Find New Life On the Web - PR Web

Media General continues to struggle with print revenue losses - Poytner

Let's make Mayday in NYC a day to remember - Broadcast Union News

LA Times Reporter Frames Horrific Aghanistan Photo Scoop - Fishbowl LA

Today in Labor History

April 23

Death of Ida Mae Stull, nationally recognized as the country’s first woman coal miner - 1980

United Farm Workers of America founder Cesar Chavez dies in San Luis, Ariz., at age 66 - 1993
[Remembering Cesar: The Legacy of Cesar Chavez:  Chavez was a migrant farmworker by birth and by trade. Yet this quiet and unobtrusive man founded and was president of the United Farm Workers of America, leading the union during the grape and lettuce boycotts that drew the attention and support of millions of concerned Americans. This is a collection of remembrances by those who knew Cesar Chavez best, a portrait of an uncommonly complex man, both driven and focused, yet humble, empathetic and exceedingly principled. In the UCS bookstore now.]
 
SOURCE: Union Communications Services, Inc.

Blog may be silent for three days

I'm leaving for Sacramento in the morning, and may or may not have a chance to blog the next three days, unless something big happens. If you follow me on Twitter, Facebook, or Foursquare you'll see where my travels lead me.

Regular blogging to resume on Monday...Cheers!

Join Sammy Maloof this Sat. and Sun in Long Beach

THIS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY Join Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol / Fast & Furious Hollywood stuntman Sammy Maloof and our team for His Nesting Place Spring Community Outreach Event.

Sammy will be speaking, giving rides and signing autographs. THIS IS A FREE EVENT so tell a friend and bring the entire family for food, games, raffles, live music, classic cars, giveaways & rides with Sammy!

His Nesting Place is a Christian church and home for unwed mothers and their children offering pregnancy help, counseling, work skills and a thrift store, whose reason for existence is to be an advocate for the unborn and minister to the needs of women in a crisis pregnancy who feel they have no where else to turn. This wonderful, loving ministry has taken in over 6,000 homeless mothers and their children since 1983 and provides a church home to the Long Beach area community. This is good ground to sow into: http://hisnestingplace.org/
350 East Market Street Long Beach, CA 90805. (562) 422-2137

Watch some of what we'll be doing:

Tuesday Afternoon in the Blogosphere

Redondo Beach before the storm last week

• Lee reports lousy quarter - Romenesko
• Huffington Post Wins a Pulitzer - Matthew Fleischer
• Memo reportedly confirms print expletive - Gannett Blog
• Tribune bankruptcy plan moves forward - Business Week
• LAT publisher congratulates non-winners - Kevin Roderick
• Gannett’s poor 1st quarter results bode ill for newspapers - Fit to Print
• Chatsworth Patch Expands to Northridge, Porter Ranch - Fishbowl LA
• Newspapers Are Fastest-Shrinking U.S. Industry - Newspaper Death Watch
• Let's close down GE's tax hole at Rockefeller Center - Broadcast Union News
• Tribune Judge Rules on Distribution Rights Under Reorganization - Bloomberg
  

Los Angeles Times Hiring Pressmen

As the Los Angeles Times prepares to take on the production of USA Today in less than three weeks at the Olympic Production Facility, it appears they may also absorb the remaining three newspapers currently produced at the Sun-Bulletin.

I can’t recall the last time an apprentice was hired in the pressroom; it has been at least two decades or longer. The following memo was posted in the Mailroom at the Olympic Facility last Friday.

Los Angeles Times - Olympic
Internal Job Posting
April 13, 2012

PRESSPERSON, APPRENTICE - UNION
Pressroom Department
No Experience Necessary - Will Train

RESPONSIBILITIES
As part of a press crew, performs and works with other crewmembers to perform all duties required to operate the web presses which include: webbing, plating, color balance, compensation, supplying newsprint, cleaning and maintenance of the equipment, etc., as directed by the Press Operator.

DUTIES;
Changing the reel assemblies as necessary to the size of newsprint rolls to be used according to production requirements as follows:
• Handling of rolls, such as removing from the reel, moving them to storage, preparing and reloading them to reel spindles.
• Adding, removing and/or moving the belt(s) to be used for tension and/or drive control.
• Making the pasters.
• Monitors the reel, tension and paster system throughout the press run.
Other duties:
• Engaging and/or disengaging units and the folder.
• Processing starting webs (paper) through the unit to the folder properly.
• Engages the color printing cylinder; changes or cleans the ink pumps (boxes or containers); plates-up for color position; pre-register color (done manually).
• As necessary, changing the cam action (controls), knife spacing (cut-off) and/or band adjustments (size of product) on the folder(s) for the proper production requirements.
• Handling plates to and from the plate cylinder.
• Setting the ink and fountain solution.
• Replacing, changing and/or adjusting the blankets, rollers and solution equipment as required.
• Fills any crew positions and performs other miscellaneous and related duties as assigned or required.
• Cleaning and maintaining the equipment and surrounding areas.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed rather than to be an exhaustive list of all duties.

REQUIREMENTS
• Must have 0good communication skills
• Ability to learn quickly
• Ability to follow instructions and work in a team environment
• Must be able to lift 75 lbs
• Must be flexible and able to work multiple shifts and weekends

Starting Pay; $15.00 - (to be evaluated based on performance, every six months, for the
first four years).

Sammy Maloof at His Nesting Place

Pastor Al meets Sammy Maloof

Sammy Maloof and his team ventured a bit south to Long Beach last Sunday to spread the positive word to the residents of His Nesting Place. Greeted by the feisty Pastor Al everyone was made to feel extremely welcome as this small but friendly church was filled to capacity.

After making introductions Pastor Al turned the church over to the Maloof Racing Team, which began the service with the beautiful Janeen Ferdinand singing several songs with her angel like voice.

A short video was played showing the crowd many of the stunts Sammy has completed, which left the group with their mouths wide open, wondering how he survived such stunts.

Sammy was at his best last Sunday as he delivered a very positive message that I’m certain no one will soon forget as he touched on the spirit of division, watching whom you associate with, and always speaking with positive words.

But don’t take my word for it, come down to San Gabriel some Sunday at 11:00 am and see for yourself at Sammy’s Racing Shop, which is filled to capacity each Sunday.

We finished the day by dining with the Pastor and his resident’s on two varieties of chili beans and corn bread, which was very tasty indeed.

The Maloof Racing Team will be returning to His Nesting place this Saturday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm with a stunt car show to help raise funds for the home.

His Nesting Place

350 East Market Street

Long Beach, CA 90805.

(562) 984-5034.

Photos from last Sunday can be viewed on Flickr.

Today in Labor History

April 17
The Supreme Court holds that a maximum hours law for New York bakery workers is unconstitutional under the due process clause of the 14th amendment - 1905





SOURCE: Union Communications Services, Inc.

Teamsters Rally Against Initiative

Ronnie Pineda with Randy Korgan

Ronnie Pineda and myself, with 1,400 other Teamsters from San Diego to Santa Barbara, rallied last Saturday (April 14^th, 2012) against a ballot initiative that would keep unions from participating in politics. This is yet another attempt by corporate America to undermine workingmen and women.

The San Gabriel Valley Tribune ran a story on the rally, which can be read here.


Additional photos can be viewed on Flickr.

Bruce Jingles Celebrates 420 Day at Flappers Claremont

My first encounter with comic Bruce Jingles was at the Pasadena Ice House some eight years ago when they ran Urban Comedy Nights at 9:00 pm. Several of my colleagues and I would rush from the Los Angeles Times at 8:30 pm to make the show, and we always had a great time.

As time went by I spoke with Bruce many times and he invited me to a pizza parlor in Upland where he would work out his new material, what was nice they allowed my grandson to sit in.

While the years rolled by Bruce worked his way up by hosting many comedy events to working with some big names as the second fiddle, never the headliner. So I was extremely happy when Bruce began headlining, and selling out places such as the Ontario Improv.

Bruce was featured on the front page of three newspapers this weekend, here’s one of the articles.

It's Jingles all the way By Diana Sholley

To all the stoners out there. Come celebrate our favorite" holiday" with ME at Flapper's Comedy Club in Claremont. Friday and Saturday 8 and 10PM. RON SWALLOW (MadTV and ABC's "Ugly Betty") is your host. Along with MARCUS HAWKINS and special guests each night. There will also be door prizes provided by G3 Hollistic. Tickets are $17 and Flapper's does sell booze now. http://www.comedycasting.com/h2fnew/index.php FOLLOW THIS LINK TO ORDER TICKETS

BRUCE JINGLES HEADLINES FLAPPERS CLAREMONT 4/20 WEEKEND

Friday, April 20 at 8:00pm

Join

Today in Labor History

April 16
Employers lock out 25,000 New York City garment workers in a dispute over hiring practices. The International Ladies’ Garment Workers Union calls a general strike; after 14 weeks, 60,000 strikers win union recognition and the contractual right to strike - 1916

500 workers in Texas City, Texas die in a series of huge oil refinery and chemical plant explosions and fires - 1947

An estimated 20,000 global justice activists blockade Washington, D.C. meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund - 2000
[The Steward’s Pocket Reference & Diary is a handy pocket-sized reference booklet packed with vital information and tools important to every steward. Included are quick references for Weingarten Rights, FMLA and ADA, Duty of Fair Representation, Interviewing basics, Past Practice elements and the Steward’s Ten Commandments. PLUS: A year’s worth of handy steward tips and important dates in labor history! Just $6 each (inquire about discounts for multiple copies and about imprinting your union name on 100 copies or more); in the UCS bookstore now.]

SOURCE: Union Communications Services, Inc.

Monday Morning in the Blogosphere

Los Angeles Times Pressman Richard Olmeda

• LAObserved has a new look - LAObserved
• Wall Street Journal & Women - Romenesko
• Economic Recovery for Whom? - Frying Pan News
• Q1 earnings fall 25%; shares dive 7% - Gannett Blog
• How the Texas Tribune is making $5K a month - Fit to Print
• Pulitzer winners to be announced at 3 p.m. EDT today - Poynter
• Things People Do When They Actually Have No Money - Billfold
• Epic Hypocrisy at the New York Times - Broadcast Union News
• Teamsters rally against ballot initiative in El Monte - SGV Tribune
• Hollywood union reaches tentative deal with studios - Mark Lacter

Today in Labor History

April 15

A. Philip Randolph, civil rights leader and founder of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, born in Crescent City, Fla. - 1889
[A. Philip Randolph: A Biographical Portrait is a fascinating biography of a great American hero. A. Philip Randolph (1889-1979) was not only the most famous African American labor leader of his time, he was also a key figure in the civil rights movement. In the UCS bookstore now.]

IWW union Agricultural Workers Organization formed in Kansas City, Mo. - 1915

Teacher unionists gather at the City Club on Plymouth Court in Chicago to form a new national union: the American Federation of Teachers – 1916

Start of ultimately successful six-day strike across New England by what has been described as the first women-led American union, the Telephone Operators Department of IBEW - 1919

Transport Workers Union founded – 1934

The first McDonald’s Restaurant opens, in Des Plaines, Ill., setting the stage years later for sociologist Amitai Etzioni to coin the term "McJob." As defined by the Oxford English Dictionary, a McJob is "An unstimulating, low-paid job with few prospects, especially one created by the expansion of the service sector." - 1955


SOURCE: Union Communications Services, Inc.

Sammy Maloof and Team to hold benefit

Join Sammy Maloof tomorrow SUNDAY as he shares a message of faith and hope at His Nesting Place in Long Beach CA. This wonderful ministry has been helping homeless women and children for over 30 years. They are in desperate need of finances and other donations. If you are able to help, please contact Rica at http://www.HisNestingPlace.org/ 350 East Market Street Long Beach, CA 90805. (562) 984-5034.

Here are some of their immediate needs: volunteers, such as plumbers, electricians, carpenters, handyman, and groups such as eagle scouts, boy scouts or youth groups that can help them do repairs. Also, the materials and supplies needed to do the following projects:

• New Windows throughout the entire ministry
• Ceilings to be repaired in offices
• 2 Screen Doors
• 4 New Sink Cabinets for Restrooms
• Re-Paint Stairs
• New Cabinet Doors
• New Light Fixtures
• 6 Ceiling Fans
• 4 Built Sheds
• Carpet Installed throughout facility
• Chairs for Sanctuary to replace pews
Gift Certificates to the following are favored:
• Grocery Stores • Department Stores • Christian Book Stores • Fast Food
• Stocks and Bonds • Shoe Stores (Payless) • Scholarships
Mothers (all sizes)
• They especially need “One-Year” Bibles • Bibles • Christian Music • Dress Clothes
• Sweat Outfits • Socks, Slippers • Casual Wear, Jeans • Shoes (Dress, Tennis) • Jackets, scarves, gloves • Purses, Wallets • Make-up, Nail Sets • Jewelry, Watches
• Bath Products, Salts • Powders, Lotions • Deodorant, Perfume • Nylons, Slips
• Bras, Underwear • Blow Dryers, Curling Irons, Hot Curlers • Brushes, Combs • Hair Accessories • Vacuums • Radios, TV’s, Clocks • Bedding, Pillows

You can also make financial donations to this wonderful ministry to help http://www.hisnestingplace.org/donations-2

We are in agreement with you that as you give YOUR needs will be met also:

Thursday Night in the Blogosphere

The rumors of the passing of Manual Rojas are untrue as you can see from
today's photograph. Manual owns and operates El Tepeyac's.

Joanna Padgett, Manual Rojas, and Leah Doyle

• Newsprint made from recycled human waste - Poynter
• American Airlines sues former flight attendant - MSNBC
• 1992 Remembered: The Artist’s Story - Steven Mikulan
• Patch editor-in-chief Brian Farnham resigns - Romenesko
• KFI’s Unlikeliest Correspondent: Jungle Kid 55 - Fishbowl LA
• Teamster harbor victory may have broad impact - Bill Boyarsky
• CEO Gatto's memo to staff: Rivals are eating your lunch - Gannett Blog
• NYT Reporter Blasts Boss In Email to 150 of His Friends - Broadcast UN
• Drug smugglers recruiting in Mexican newspapers - New York Daily News
• LAT corrects tweet that urged support for George Zimmerman - LAObserved

Today in Labor History

April 12

A group of "puddlers" -- craftsmen who manipulated pig iron to create steel -- met in a Pitsburgh bar and formed The Iron City Forge of the Sons of Vulcan. It was the strongest union in the U.S. in the 1870s, later merging with two other unions to form what was to be the forerunner of the United Steel Workers - 1858

Birth of Florence Reece, active in Harlan County, Ky. coal strikes and author of famed labor song “Which Side Are You On?” - 1900

The Union Label and Service Trades Department is founded by the American Federation of Labor. Its mission: promote the products and services of union members - 1909

SOURCE: Union Communications Services, Inc.

George Carlin ~ The American Dream

"You have to be asleep to believe it."

A short excerpt from the video "Life Is Worth Losing" (2005).

Words are Powerful - Use them Wisely

'You will notice that those who speak most of prosperity, have it.
Those who speak most of health, have it.
Those who speak most of sickness, have it.
Those who speak most of poverty, have it.
It is Law.

It can be no other way…

The way you feel is your point of attraction, and so, the Law of Attraction is most understood when you see yourself as a magnet getting more and more of the way you feel.

When you feel lonely, you attract more loneliness.
When you feel poor, you attract more poverty.
When you feel sick, you attract more sickness.
When you feel unhappy, you attract more unhappiness.
When you feel healthy and vital and alive and prosperous—you attract more of all of those things' ~

Abraham-Hicks™

Today in Labor History

April 11

Ford Motor Company signs first contract with United Auto Workers - 1941

Jackie Robinson, first black ballplayer hired by a major league team, plays his first game with the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbetts Field - 1947

United Mine Workers President W. A. "Tony" Boyle is found guilty of first-degree murder, for ordering the 1969 assassination of union reformer Joseph A. "Jock" Yablonski. Yablonski, his wife and daughter were murdered on December 30, 1969. Boyle had defeated Yablonski in the UMW election earlier in the year -- an election marred by intimidation and vote fraud. That election was set aside and a later vote was won by reformer Arnold Miller - 1974

34,000 New York City Transit Authority workers, eleven days into a strike for higher wages, end their walkout with agreement on a 9 percent increase in the first year and 8 percent in the second, along with cost-of-living protections - 1980

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issues regulations prohibiting sexual harassment of workers by supervisors in the workplace - 1980

Police in Austin, Minn. tear-gas striking Hormel meatpacking workers. Seventeen strikers are arrested on felony riot charges - 1986

Some 25,000 marchers in Watsonville, Calif. show support for United Farm Workers organizing campaign among strawberry workers, others - 1997

SOURCE: Union Communications Services, Inc.

Wednesday Night in the Blogosphere

Kanani Fong shared this photo she captured while visiting Tribune Towers yesterday

• Finally, some good Sam Zell news - LAObserved
• Who will replace Hunke as publisher? - Gannett Blog
• Justice for former slaves 162 years later - VV Daily Press
• Four Ways Newspapers Are Failing at Digital - Fit to Print
• Bloomberg’s Manual of Success - Newspaper Death Watch
• Just four jobs are worse than being a newspaper reporter - Poytner
• THR's 35 Most Powerful People in Media - Broadcast Union News
• Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Facebook: Doomed Rights? - Jim Lair Beard
• National Press Photographers Association Sue Suffolk County - Fishbowl NY
• St Louis Post-Dispatch Employees to protest outside newspaper - Romenesko
  
  

Meet Sammy Maloof and his Team this Sunday

Cortney and Sammy, one of the many friends of Sammy Maloof

Join us this Sunday, April 15, 2012 at 9:30 am at 350 E Market St. in Long Beach CA 90805.

Sammy will be sharing a message of faith & encouragement with the staff and residents of "His Nesting Place." For over 30 years, Dr. Al and his bride Judy have been teaching the principles of the Bible, life skills and providing a safe, maternity home & alternative solution to abortion for women and their babies who feel they have no where else to turn.

This wonderful organization is also in much need of funding and other items.

Please visit http://www.hisnestingplace.org/wp-content/newsletters/december2011.pdf for a list of their needs.

Speaker Sammy Maloof at His Nesting Place

Sunday, April 15 at 9:30am

Today in Labor History

April 10

Birth date of Frances Perkins, named Secretary of Labor under President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933, becoming the first woman to hold a cabinet-level office - 1880

133 people, mostly women and girls, are killed when an explosion in the loading room tears apart the Eddystone Ammunition Works in Eddystone, Pa., near Chester. Fifty-five of the dead were never identified - 1917

Birth of Dolores Huerta, a co-founder, with Cesar Chavez, of the United Farm Workers - 1930

Dancers from the Lusty Lady Club in San Francisco’s North Beach ratify their first-ever union contract by a vote of 57-15, having won representaion by SEIU Local 790 the previous summer. The club later became a worker-owned cooperative - 1997

Tens of thousands of immigrants demonstrate in 100 U.S. cities in a national day of action billed as a campaign for immigrants’ dignity. Some 200,000 gathered in Washington, D.C. - 2006

SOURCE: Union Communications Services, Inc.

Obamacare