Labor Express Radio

This is the full 6-14-2020 episode of the Labor Express Radio program. On this episode of Labor Express Radio, REBELLION 2020!: Uprisings against racism and police brutality erupt across the nation in response to the murder of yet another Black man, George Floyd at the hands of yet another White cop, Derek Chauvin.  But this time the African-American community and its allies have come out into the streets day after day, week after week, across the nation to say enough is enough.  And this time, at least one union, the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), is doing more than just issuing a statement of support for the protesters.  They are making their solidarity real and concrete by telling their members that the union has their backs if the drivers refuse to be conscripted by the police into shuttling them to protest locations and taking arrested protesters to detention facilities.  But as CTA bus driver and elected Executive Board member of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 241 Erek Slater will tell you, at least in Chicago, the ATU International presidents statement means little to CTA management who is willing to punish bus drivers who refuse to cooperate with police in regards to the demonstrations.  Drivers have faced harassment and intimidation, and in the case of Slater, suspension, for simply discussing the issue with his co-workers. Labor Express Radio is Chicago's only English language labor news and current affairs radio program. News for working people, by working people. Labor Express Radio airs every Sunday at 8:00 PM on WLPN in Chicago, 105.5 FM. For more information, see our Facebook page...   laborexpress.org and our homepage on Archive.org at: http://www.archive.org/details/LaborExpressRadio

Labor Express Radio Audio Extra: Chicago bus driver and elected ATU Local 241 board member denounces CTA management’s suspension for discussing solidarity with anti-police brutality protesters. CTA Bus Driver and elected executive board member of ATU Local 241 Erek Slater is fighting an unlawful suspension by CTA management who have repeatedly harassed him and his fellow bus drivers, denying them their 1st amendment rights as well as violating labor law and union contract protections.  It appears that at the heart of the harassment is the bus drivers' discussions of how they should respond to the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) International's position that bus drivers have a right not to cooperate with police in their operations against anti-police brutality protesters.  Around the country, especially in NYC and in Minneapolis, bus drivers, in solidarity with the protesters, have refused to cooperate with the police.  A unknown number of Chicago bus drivers have done the same but have faced varying levels of disciplining or threats from CTA management.  It appears that CTA management is uncomfortable with employees even discussing the issue on their own time and in spaces designated for union discussions.  At a press conference at Federal Plaza on Monday, Erek Slater spoke along with his lawyer and other assembled supporters about the situation.  Erek covers a lot of ground in his speech speaking to not only the ATU's position on the anti-police brutality protesters, but also the ongoing concerns over COVID-19 which has claimed the lives of an inordinate number of transit workers around the country. Erek Slater speaks here in his own capacity and not representing the CTA or ATU. Thanks to Labor Express Radio reporter Michelle Burke for capturing the audio of the press conference. Labor Express Radio is Chicago's only English language labor news and current affairs radio program. News for working people, by working people. Labor Express Radio airs every Sunday at 8:00 PM on WLPN in Chicago, 105.5 FM. For more information, see our Facebook page...   laborexpress.org and our homepage on Archive.org at: http://www.archive.org/details/LaborExpressRadio

This is the full 5-31-2020 episode of the Labor Express Radio program. On this episode of Labor Express Radio, we continue our ongoing examination of how unions and social movements are responding to the COVID-19 crisis and how the working class has responded to this crisis with an historic level of self-activity, militancy and creativity.  Labor Journalist Mike Elk discusses his Payday Report website which hosts the COVID-19 Strike Wave Tracker and Interactive Map, which has so far documented over 230 strikes related to the COVID-19 crisis since early March.  We also take a look at how teachers are responding to the crisis.  Randi Weingarten discusses the situation in the U.S. and Fatima da Silva, the General Secretary of CNTE discusses the situation in Brazil.  The CTU sues Betsy DeVos over Special Education policy and Elijah Edwards, President AFSCME Local 2858, talks about what's in the ''HEROES Act'' passed by the House and now being considered in the U.S. Senate. Labor Express Radio is Chicago's only English language labor news and current affairs radio program. News for working people, by working people. Labor Express Radio airs every Sunday at 8:00 PM on WLPN in Chicago, 105.5 FM. For more information, see our Facebook page...   laborexpress.org and our homepage on Archive.org at: http://www.archive.org/details/LaborExpressRadio

This is the full 5-17-2020 episode of the Labor Express Radio program. On this episode of Labor Express Radio, we highlight the work of Immigrant Solidarity DuPage and their Workers Center, especially their mutual aid efforts during the COVID-19 crisis.  Cristobal Cavazos explains the history of the organization, the unique role of workers centers in the labor movement, and how they can organize to support workers during this crisis.  He describes several recent victories including the two week shutdown of the Smithfield meatpacking plant in St. Charles, IL.  Also in the program, does Amazonians United demonstrate the complex interaction between organizing and spontaneity in this recent explosion of worker self-activity? Labor Express Radio is Chicago's only English language labor news and current affairs radio program. News for working people, by working people. Labor Express Radio airs every Sunday at 8:00 PM on WLPN in Chicago, 105.5 FM. For more information, see our Facebook page...   laborexpress.org and our homepage on Archive.org at: http://www.archive.org/details/LaborExpressRadio

This is the full 5-5-2020 episode of the Labor Express Radio program. On this episode of Labor Express Radio, nurses at Stroger hospital, members of NNU, protest hospital administrators refusal to follow CDC guidelines, putting employees and patients at risk.* Moises Zavala and Eric Basir are back. This time Moises is talking about organizing in the cannabis industry and Eric is discussing his own battle with COVID-19 and with his employer, the CTA, over testing and sick leave. And Marianela D'Aprile, member of the National Political Committee of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), discusses the “Bernie bump”. The Bernie Sanders for president campaign may be over but just like in 2016, that campaign has swelled the ranks of the DSA which is full steam ahead on its work for Medicare4All, a Green New Deal and now has launched new partnerships with several unions. Labor Express Radio is Chicago's only English language labor news and current affairs radio program. News for working people, by working people. Labor Express Radio airs every Sunday at 8:00 PM on WLPN in Chicago, 105.5 FM. For more information, see our Facebook page...   laborexpress.org and our homepage on Archive.org at: http://www.archive.org/details/LaborExpressRadio *Thank you to Dale Lehman for providing the audio of the nurses at Stroger Hospital.

Labor Express Radio Audio Extra: Nurses at Stroger Hospital in Chicago hold rally protesting lack of PPE are joined by transit workers with the same complaint against the CTA. Nurses, members of National Nurses United (NNU), held a rally outside Stroger hospital in Chicago on April 27, 2020.  They were protesting practices and policies of hospital management they say is preventing the nurses from accessing needed PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and do not observe CDC guidelines for how hospitals should operate in order to protect both staff and patients.  They were joined by transit workers who have similar complaints against the CTA.  Credit for this audio goes to Labor Express Radio reporter Dale Lehman who is also heard asking questions in the later half of this piece. Labor Express Radio is Chicago's only English language labor news and current affairs radio program. News for working people, by working people. Labor Express Radio airs every Sunday at 8:00 PM on WLPN in Chicago, 105.5 FM. For more information, see our Facebook page...   laborexpress.org and our homepage on Archive.org at: http://www.archive.org/details/LaborExpressRadio

Labor Express Radio Interview:  Marianela D'Aprile, member of the National Political Committee of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), discusses the “Bernie bump”.  Both in 2016 and now again, in 2020, the DSA has seen massive increases in membership.  As a result, the DSA has become the closest thing to a mass socialist party we have seen in the United States in at least 70 years.  At the same time, the organization has worked to avoid the limitations that come with electoralism.  Embracing a “class struggle election work” strategy that privileges movement building as much as winning elections.  The DSA has also launched new partnerships at the national and local level with several unions.  All these topics are discussed in the interview. Labor Express Radio is Chicago's only English language labor news and current affairs radio program. News for working people, by working people. Labor Express Radio airs every Sunday at 8:00 PM on WLPN in Chicago, 105.5 FM. For more information, see our Facebook page...   laborexpress.org and our homepage on Archive.org at: http://www.archive.org/details/LaborExpressRadio Labor Express Radio is non-partisan and does not endorse any candidates or political parties.  We make editorial decisions about political developments to cover as they relate to the labor movement and the concerns of working people locally, nationally and internationally.  This coverage should not be construed as an endorsement.

Interview:  This is the full, unedited interview with transit worker Eric Basir.  Excerpts were aired on the 4/19/2020 and the 5/3/2020 episodes of Labor Express Radio. Eric Basir, train motorman and member of ATU Local 308 discusses Transit Workers Unite's petition calling for workers action in the face of COVID-19 and the job action of the CTA train cleaners who were forced to work in unsafe conditions.  Eric himself, like far too many transit workers has contracted COVID-19.  He has not ended up in the hospital but the symptoms have been dragging out and preventing his ability to return to work.  Unfortunately Eric, like many other CTA employees has struggled to get tested and then struggled to get sick days even though CTA policy is that he should not return to work until his symptoms have subsided.  Eric is speaking here on behalf of himself and Transit Workers Unite, he is not representing ATU or CTA in this interview.  The petition he refers to can be found here…  http://chng.it/L7sDtcPH8f Labor Express Radio is Chicago's only English language labor news and current affairs radio program. News for working people, by working people. Labor Express Radio airs every Sunday at 8:00 PM on WLPN in Chicago, 105.5 FM. For more information, see our Facebook page...   laborexpress.org and our homepage on Archive.org at: http://www.archive.org/details/LaborExpressRadio

This is the full 4-19-2020 episode of the Labor Express Radio program. On this episode of Labor Express Radio, we continue to look at how the labor and other social movements are responding to the coronavirus crisis.  The COVID-19 crisis is sparking worker's self-activity in a way not seen in generations. How are unions responding to this exciting development? Along with the theme of social solidarity in the time of physical distancing, this theme of the rise of grassroots working-class action is something I seek to explore on Labor Express and its starts tonight. Moises Zavala, Director of Organizing for Local 881 of the United Food and Commercial Workers union (UFCW) talks about the Raymundo Foods workers walk-out. Erek Slater, bus driver, elected board member of ATU Local 241 and founding member of Transit Workers Unite and Eric Basir train motorman and member of ATU Local 308 discuss Transit Workers Unite's petition calling for workers action in the face of COVID-19 and the job action of the CTA train cleaners. And Carl Rosen of UE discusses his letter in In These Times entitled... “We Need the Labor Movement To Organize Worker Fightback in the Face of the COVID-19 Crisis”. Labor Express Radio is Chicago's only English language labor news and current affairs radio program. News for working people, by working people. Labor Express Radio airs every Sunday at 8:00 PM on WLPN in Chicago, 105.5 FM. For more information, see our Facebook page...   laborexpress.org and our homepage on Archive.org at: http://www.archive.org/details/LaborExpressRadio

Labor Express Radio Interview: Erek Slater of Transit Workers Unite and COVID-19 survivor on the “Safety First for Transit Workers Now” Petition and the impact of COVID-19 on transit workers. Jerry Mead-Lucero of Labor Express Radio interviews Erek Slater, bus driver, elected board member of ATU Local 241 and founding member of Transit Workers Unite, recovering himself from his own bout of COVID-19, about the devastating impact of the crisis on transit workers and the petition his organization, along with several others including Local 100 Fightback and  ATU 308 for Justice Coalition issued recently calling on their employers - the transit authorities, their unions, and the relevant political powers to make transit workers and transit riders safety top priority and put safety measures and control directly in the hands of the frontline workers themselves.  The demands are bold and call for a form of worker control rarely advocated in such petitions. Labor Express Radio is Chicago's only English language labor news and current affairs radio program. News for working people, by working people. Labor Express Radio airs every Sunday at 8:00 PM on WLPN in Chicago, 105.5 FM. For more information, see our Facebook page...   laborexpress.org and our homepage on Archive.org at: http://www.archive.org/details/LaborExpressRadio