Fofo's Backyard Boogie, a set on Flickr.
Battle of the DJ's was a blast with different styles and sounds.
Monday, July 02, 2012
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Today in Labor History
June 30
Alabama outlaws the leasing of convicts to mine coal, a practice that had been in place since 1848. In 1898, 73 percent of the state's total revenue came from this source. 25 percent of all black leased convicts died - 1928
The Walsh-Healey Act took effect today. It requires companies that supply goods to the government to pay wages according to a schedule set by the Secretary of Labor - 1936
The storied Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers, a union whose roots traced back to the militant Western Federation of Miners, and which helped found the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), merges into the United Steelworkers of America - 1967
Up to 40,000 New York construction workers demonstrated in midtown Manhattan, protesting the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s awarding of a $33 million contract to a nonunion company. Eighteen police and three demonstrators were injured. "There were some scattered incidents and some minor violence," Police Commissioner Howard Safir told the New York Post. "Generally, it was a pretty well-behaved crowd." - 1998
SOURCE: Union Communications Services, Inc.
Alabama outlaws the leasing of convicts to mine coal, a practice that had been in place since 1848. In 1898, 73 percent of the state's total revenue came from this source. 25 percent of all black leased convicts died - 1928
The Walsh-Healey Act took effect today. It requires companies that supply goods to the government to pay wages according to a schedule set by the Secretary of Labor - 1936
The storied Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers, a union whose roots traced back to the militant Western Federation of Miners, and which helped found the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), merges into the United Steelworkers of America - 1967
Up to 40,000 New York construction workers demonstrated in midtown Manhattan, protesting the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s awarding of a $33 million contract to a nonunion company. Eighteen police and three demonstrators were injured. "There were some scattered incidents and some minor violence," Police Commissioner Howard Safir told the New York Post. "Generally, it was a pretty well-behaved crowd." - 1998
SOURCE: Union Communications Services, Inc.
Buyouts at the Los Angeles Times
On Thursday June 28th the Los Angeles Times
offered a buyout package to full time pressroom personnel, with twenty-six weeks
of severance pay, which also carries the stipulation that you have no right to
sue for injuries after you depart the company. If you’re a long term employee I
would recommend speaking with attorney Vernon Goldschmid at 213.251.5914 before
accepting the terms of the buyout.
The company is attempting to trim costs by eliminating the
highest paid workers with lower paid apprentices, which will definitely not be
paid what a journeyman pressman earns.
As Freedom shed its newspapers the San Diego Union Tribune
was an interested party in purchasing the Orange County Register, and if this
sale had been made the Los Angeles Times was selected to produce their rival.
Unfortunately the OCR was sold to a firm from Boston, which will also begin
printing three newspapers from the San Bernadino Sun as they shutter their
production facility.
The question at hand now; will Rupert Murdoch purchase the
Los Angeles Times?
Friday, June 29, 2012
Today in Labor History
June 29
What is to be a 7-day streetcar strike begins in Chicago after several workers are unfairly fired. Wrote the police chief at the time, describing the strikers’ response to scabs: "One of my men said he was at the corner of Halsted and Madison Streets, and although he could see fifty stones in the air, he couldn't tell where they were coming from." The strike was settled to the workers’ satisfaction - 1885
An Executive Order signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt establishes the National Labor Relations Board. A predecessor organization, the National Labor Board, established by the Depression-era National Industrial Recovery Act in 1933, had been struck down by the Supreme Court - 1934
IWW strikes Weyerhauser and other Idaho lumber camps - 1936
Jesus Pallares, founder of the 8,000-member coal miners union, Liga Obrera de Habla Espanola, is deported as an "undesirable alien." The union operated in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado - 1936
The Boilermaker and Blacksmith unions merge to become International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers - 1954
The newly-formed Jobs With Justice stages its first big support action, backing 3,000 picketing Eastern Airlines mechanics at Miami Airport - 1987
The U.S. Supreme Court rules in CWA v. Beck that, in a union security agreement, a union can collect as dues from non-members only that money necessary to perform its duties as a collective bargaining representative - 1988
[An Introduction to Labor Law, 2nd Edition: This is a good introduction to labor law basics for local union leaders and activists. Published by the School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University, it focuses on the nation’s primary labor law -- the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). A good book for union people who need a solid introduction to labor law, and a handy resource for the more seasoned professionals who could use a brush-up of their knowledge. In the UCS bookstore now.]
June 28
Birthday of machinist Matthew Maguire, who many believe first suggested Labor Day. Others believe it was Peter McGuire, a carpenter - 1850
President Grover Cleveland signs legislation declaring Labor Day an official U.S. holiday - 1894
The federal government sues the Teamsters to force reforms on the union, the nation's largest. The following March, the government and the union sign a consent decree requiring direct election of the union's president and creation of an Independent Review Board - 1988
SOURCE: Union Communications Services, Inc.
What is to be a 7-day streetcar strike begins in Chicago after several workers are unfairly fired. Wrote the police chief at the time, describing the strikers’ response to scabs: "One of my men said he was at the corner of Halsted and Madison Streets, and although he could see fifty stones in the air, he couldn't tell where they were coming from." The strike was settled to the workers’ satisfaction - 1885
An Executive Order signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt establishes the National Labor Relations Board. A predecessor organization, the National Labor Board, established by the Depression-era National Industrial Recovery Act in 1933, had been struck down by the Supreme Court - 1934
IWW strikes Weyerhauser and other Idaho lumber camps - 1936
Jesus Pallares, founder of the 8,000-member coal miners union, Liga Obrera de Habla Espanola, is deported as an "undesirable alien." The union operated in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado - 1936
The Boilermaker and Blacksmith unions merge to become International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers - 1954
The newly-formed Jobs With Justice stages its first big support action, backing 3,000 picketing Eastern Airlines mechanics at Miami Airport - 1987
The U.S. Supreme Court rules in CWA v. Beck that, in a union security agreement, a union can collect as dues from non-members only that money necessary to perform its duties as a collective bargaining representative - 1988
[An Introduction to Labor Law, 2nd Edition: This is a good introduction to labor law basics for local union leaders and activists. Published by the School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University, it focuses on the nation’s primary labor law -- the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). A good book for union people who need a solid introduction to labor law, and a handy resource for the more seasoned professionals who could use a brush-up of their knowledge. In the UCS bookstore now.]
June 28
Birthday of machinist Matthew Maguire, who many believe first suggested Labor Day. Others believe it was Peter McGuire, a carpenter - 1850
President Grover Cleveland signs legislation declaring Labor Day an official U.S. holiday - 1894
The federal government sues the Teamsters to force reforms on the union, the nation's largest. The following March, the government and the union sign a consent decree requiring direct election of the union's president and creation of an Independent Review Board - 1988
SOURCE: Union Communications Services, Inc.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Today in Labor History
June 27Emma Goldman, women's rights activist and radical, born in Lithuania. She came to the U.S. at age 17 - 1869
The Industrial Workers of the World, also known as the "Wobblies," is founded at a 12-days-long convention in Chicago. The Wobblie motto: "An injury to one is an injury to all." - 1905
Congress passes the National Labor Relations Act, creating the structure for collective bargaining in the United States - 1935
A 26-day strike of New York City hotels by 26,000 workers – the first such walkout in 50 years – ends with a five-year contract calling for big wage and benefit gains - 1985
A.E. Staley locks out 763 workers in Decatur, Ill. The lockout was to last two and one-half years – 1993
SOURCE: Union Communications Services, Inc.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
African-American Firefighters Museum
African-American Firefighters Museum, a set on Flickr.
Dedicated to collecting, conserving and sharing the heritage of African American firefighters.
Tuesday Afternoon in the Blogosphere
 |
Puddingstone Lake / Dam - San Dimas California |
Jail explains ban on local newspapers - KOAM
LA Times Hires Pulitzer Winner Paige St. John - Fishbowl LA
News Corp. closer to spinning off newspaper division - Poynter
J.P. Morgan makes billions in profits from food stamps - Examiner
Panera drops ads over emails encouraging click fraud - Romenesko
The successful life pursuits of ex-newspaper people - Kevin Roderick
Investors See Some Value in Newspaper Companies - Wall Street Journal
Mythbusters: The Legend of Overpaid Public Workers - Frying Pan News
With paywalls, weekday circulation down 7%, Sunday is off 5% - Gannett Blog
Today in Labor History
June 26
Members of the American Railway Union, led by Eugene V. Debs, refuse to handle Pullman cars, in solidarity with Pullman strikers. Two dozen strikers were killed over the course of the strike - 1894
The 189-mile-long St. Lawrence Seaway opens, making the Great Lakes accessible to Atlantic shipping. Thousands of laborers toiled for decades to make it happen; indirectly and directly, the Seaway today supports 75,000 jobs in Canada and 150,000 in the U.S. - 1959
SOURCE: Union Communications Services, Inc.
Members of the American Railway Union, led by Eugene V. Debs, refuse to handle Pullman cars, in solidarity with Pullman strikers. Two dozen strikers were killed over the course of the strike - 1894
The 189-mile-long St. Lawrence Seaway opens, making the Great Lakes accessible to Atlantic shipping. Thousands of laborers toiled for decades to make it happen; indirectly and directly, the Seaway today supports 75,000 jobs in Canada and 150,000 in the U.S. - 1959
SOURCE: Union Communications Services, Inc.
Downtown News Launches ‘Support Local Journalism’ Campaign - Los Angeles Downtown News - For Everything Downtown L.A.!: News
Downtown News Launches ‘Support Local Journalism’ Campaign - Los Angeles Downtown News - For Everything Downtown L.A.!: News: DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES - In response to the changing economics of the media industry, Los Angeles Downtown News is launching a “Support Local Jo…
Monday, June 25, 2012
African American Firefighters Museum
Dedicated
to collecting, conserving and sharing the heritage of African American firefighters.
I’m always amazed at what is missed while driving, especially the quaint little restaurants or antique shops that have the oddest items on display. As I travel to Skid Row Los Angeles to feed the homeless with Sammy Maloof I exit at Central Avenue and drive north to Crocker Street, always note the Coca-Cola building, as it resembles a ship and not the factory producing soft drinks. This path is also followed when heading to the Teamsters building of Local 360 where we hold our union meetings, so I pass by a fire station that never really grabbed my attention, yet is a treasure trove of African-American Firefighter History.
What brought this magnificent firehouse to the forefront of my attention was an invitation by James Bolden to his birthday party, which was held inside this spacious warehouse of memorabilia. 
This is not your run of the mill firehouse, this is the African-American Firefighters Museum, and there are no others throughout the land. Why was it, after working in downtown Los Angeles for forty years I was not aware of this special museum, I kept asking myself?
Being the extrovert that I am, my date for the night Lynnae Nelson and I walked to every table introducing ourselves, and asking the guests if they were aware of the museum before the event? Seventy percent answered with a negative, and were as shocked as myself learning about this building and the contents within.
As I ventured upstairs I was amazed at the beauty of the wooden floors, and handrails, shined to a state of a mirror. As the second story is entered the walls are covered with photographs from years ago showing the men and women as they were promoted in what once was predominately a white world. A large table in the middle of the room holds newspaper clippings from years ago to the present, with a movie playing on a loop in the room adjacent to the main museum room. Several firemen uniforms are also displayed from dress blues to actual clothing to fight fires, all very impressive to say the least. I’ve captured a few photographs, which can be viewed by following this link. Someone needs to contact Huell Howser and get some airplay for this museum? For a small recommended fee of $5.00 this would make for a great field trip, and be certain to call ahead before visiting for hours of operation.
1401 South Central Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90021 (213) 744-1730
Being the extrovert that I am, my date for the night Lynnae Nelson and I walked to every table introducing ourselves, and asking the guests if they were aware of the museum before the event? Seventy percent answered with a negative, and were as shocked as myself learning about this building and the contents within.
As I ventured upstairs I was amazed at the beauty of the wooden floors, and handrails, shined to a state of a mirror. As the second story is entered the walls are covered with photographs from years ago showing the men and women as they were promoted in what once was predominately a white world. A large table in the middle of the room holds newspaper clippings from years ago to the present, with a movie playing on a loop in the room adjacent to the main museum room. Several firemen uniforms are also displayed from dress blues to actual clothing to fight fires, all very impressive to say the least. I’ve captured a few photographs, which can be viewed by following this link. Someone needs to contact Huell Howser and get some airplay for this museum? For a small recommended fee of $5.00 this would make for a great field trip, and be certain to call ahead before visiting for hours of operation.
1401 South Central Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90021 (213) 744-1730
Fit to Print Trailer
FIT TO PRINT TRAILER from Nancy Wolfe on Vimeo. NEW Trailer for "Fit To Print" featuring Stephen Janis, Al Neuharth, David Barstow, Candace Heckman, Ken Paulson, Geneva Overholser, Jim McMillan, McNelly Torres, John Marelius and Mark Feldstein. Please help us finish the film by visiting: Fit to Print
Today in Labor History
June 25
More than 8,000 people attend the dedication ceremony for The Haymarket Martyrs Monument in Chicago, honoring those framed and executed for the bombing at Haymarket Square on May 4, 1886 - 1893
[Staley: The Fight for a New American Labor Movement: In
1993 the A.E. Staley corn processing plant in Decatur, Illinois locked out 762
unionized workers and demanded the right to contract out every job and
implement rotating 12-hour shifts. The workers rebelled, and this book does a
fine job of chronicling one of the most hard-fought struggles in recent labor
history. "One of the best accounts of a labor conflict ever written.
Essential reading," says Jeremy Brecher, author of Strike! In the UCS
bookstore now.]
Fair Labor Standards Act passes Congress, banning child labor and setting the 40-hour work week - 1938
At the urging of black labor and civil rights leader A. Philip Randolph, Franklin Roosevelt issues an executive order barring discrimination in defense industries - 1941
Congress passes the Smith-Connally War Labor Disputes Act over Pres. Franklin Roosevelt’s veto. It allows the federal government to seize and operate industries threatened by strikes that would interfere with war production. It was hurriedly created after the third coal strike in seven weeks - 1943
21 workers are killed when a fireworks factory near Hallett, Okla. explodes - 1985
Decatur, Ill. police pepper-gas workers at A.E. Staley plant gate one year into the company's two and one-half year lockout of Paperworkers Local 7837 - 1994
SOURCE: Union Communications Services, Inc.
More than 8,000 people attend the dedication ceremony for The Haymarket Martyrs Monument in Chicago, honoring those framed and executed for the bombing at Haymarket Square on May 4, 1886 - 1893
[Staley: The Fight for a New American Labor Movement: In
1993 the A.E. Staley corn processing plant in Decatur, Illinois locked out 762
unionized workers and demanded the right to contract out every job and
implement rotating 12-hour shifts. The workers rebelled, and this book does a
fine job of chronicling one of the most hard-fought struggles in recent labor
history. "One of the best accounts of a labor conflict ever written.
Essential reading," says Jeremy Brecher, author of Strike! In the UCS
bookstore now.]Fair Labor Standards Act passes Congress, banning child labor and setting the 40-hour work week - 1938
At the urging of black labor and civil rights leader A. Philip Randolph, Franklin Roosevelt issues an executive order barring discrimination in defense industries - 1941
Congress passes the Smith-Connally War Labor Disputes Act over Pres. Franklin Roosevelt’s veto. It allows the federal government to seize and operate industries threatened by strikes that would interfere with war production. It was hurriedly created after the third coal strike in seven weeks - 1943
21 workers are killed when a fireworks factory near Hallett, Okla. explodes - 1985
Decatur, Ill. police pepper-gas workers at A.E. Staley plant gate one year into the company's two and one-half year lockout of Paperworkers Local 7837 - 1994
SOURCE: Union Communications Services, Inc.
Monday Afternoon in the Blogosphere
 |
| Darrell Kunitomi runs into Edward |
Buffett's spirit for newspapers - The Australian
What happens to former newspaper reporters? - Passerby
Sun Herald publisher: We’re not pulling back on print - Poynter
LA Times, KPCC Crown LA Press Club Awards - Fishbowl LA
Des Moines | In building deal, end of an era nears - Gannett Blog
Ice Cream Workers Fired Before Contract Vote - Frying Pan News
Change angers New York Times crossword puzzle fans - Romenesko
Newspaper Ad Revenues Drop 6.9% Y-O-Y in Q1 - Marketing Charts
Downtown News asks readers to please pay something - Kevin Roderick
The Observer will publish on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays - The Observer
Friday, June 22, 2012
Today in Labor History
June 22
Eighty-six
passengers on a train carrying members of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus
are killed, another 127 injured in a wreck near Hammond, Indiana. Five
days later the dead are buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Forest Park,
Ill., in an area set aside as Showmen’s Rest, purchased only a few
months earlier by the Showmen’s League of America - 1918
Violence erupted during a coal mine strike at Herrin, Ill. Thirty-six were killed, 21 of them non-union miners - 1922
SOURCE: Union Communications Services, Inc.
Eighty-six
passengers on a train carrying members of the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus
are killed, another 127 injured in a wreck near Hammond, Indiana. Five
days later the dead are buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Forest Park,
Ill., in an area set aside as Showmen’s Rest, purchased only a few
months earlier by the Showmen’s League of America - 1918Violence erupted during a coal mine strike at Herrin, Ill. Thirty-six were killed, 21 of them non-union miners - 1922
SOURCE: Union Communications Services, Inc.
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