8/6 KPFA Special Programming On AFL-CIO Convention & Labor Struggles

KFPA 94.1 FM Special Programming
On The
Split At the AFL-CIO Convention &
The Attacks Facing Labor




On Saturday August 6, from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM PST, as part of the national labor programming on Pacifica Radio, the KPFA Labor Collective will present a special on the recent split of the AFL-CIO and the attacks on labor. We will be airing the highlights of the convention, interviews with rank and filers and discussion on how this will affect the labor movement.
We will also have in the studio trade unionists who are under attack from the SF Chronicle, to Doten Honda and the UAW NUMMI at Fremont. Four KFPA Labor Collective members went to Chicago to cover the convention.
You can also listen to the show on the web at http://www.kpfa.org

Please join us for this important show.
For further information, comments on this program or if
you want to get on the KPFA Labor Collective Mailing list
call (510)-848-0124x606 If you want more of this
programming please mail us at:
KPFA Labor Collective
Box 69
KPFA
1929 MLK Drive
Berkeley, CA 94704
or email us at
kpfalaborcollective [at] yahoo.com

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LABOR PROGRAMMING ON KPFA RADIO
The KFPA Labor Collective produces radio shows about
working people
throughout Northern California. We broadcast news
about labor issues,
ranging from deregulation, discrimination and union
organizing to
healthcare, housing and international labor
solidarity. Mainstream media
usually censors labor news. We intend to change that.

Our collective is part of Pacifica, a national radio
broadcast system, which
produces labor news in Houston, New York, Los Angeles
and San Francisco. In
Wisconsin, the Workers Independent News Service (WINS,
http://www.laborradio.org)
produces daily labor radio broadcasts on over 120
stations, including
commercial stations. Labor television shows appear on
community-access
television stations and some on PBS stations across
the USA. One
organization that has supported this effort is the
Union Producers and
Programmers
Networkhttp://www.laborbeat.org/3/uppnetnl.htm



One of our goals is to train working people to produce
stories about their
struggles and their lives. We are seeking people with
skills in Spanish,
Chinese and other languages. Our collective
participates in LaborTech, an
organization that convenes media workers to better use
technology
(http://www.labortech2004.org.) In the future, we plan to
develop a labor
media/news Internet portal for Northern California
that includes radio
shows, links to labor struggles and labor news.

If you wish to participate, please contact us. We meet
monthly at KPFA radio
in Berkeley. To be on our email list about our
programming, please send us
your name, address, phone, email and organization
information.

You do not have to be in a union to participate in the
KPFA Labor
Collective.

To listen to past labor collective programming, go
to:
http://www.kpfa.org/specials/marchforhealthcare2004.php
http://www.kpfa.org/specials/mayday2004
http://www.laborradio.org/audio/features/mp3/winsfeat061904.mp3

For further information, call (510)-848-6767x606 and
leave a message with
the KPFA Labor Collective or mail us at: KPFA Labor
Collective
Box 69
KPFA
1929 MLK Drive Berkeley, CA 94704
kpfalaborcollective [at] yahoo.com

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Pacifica Special Coverage of the AFL-CIO Convention in Chicago
Pre-Convention Coverage & Post Convention Coverage
July 24th - July 28th During Convention

Via AudioPort. Live KU broadcast on July 27. Check posts below regarding
broadcast venues. Satellite broadcast will also be streamed via AudioPort.
For more information: Contact Rob Robinson: 202.547.0435/robrobin [at] erols.com

As unions head into the convention, Pacifica stations present vital issues confronting rank-and-file workers, as well as the controversial demands for structural reform and workplace organization. Will the SEIU, UNITE HERE, LABORERS and the TEAMSTERS pull out of the AFL-CIO? And if so, what happens next?

The need for a revitalized labor movement becomes clearer as erosion in wages and standards of living, unemployment trends, lack of affordable health care and housing, assaults on retirement and social security, workplace safety -- even immigration policy -- impact America's families.

CONVENTION COVERAGE:

July 24 - July 28
Labor's Future: AFL-CIO Convention Updates Ken Nash, WBAI-Pacifica
Daily 15-minute reports from the AFL-CIO convention in Chicago
Ken Nash will cover daily developments, including actions following the
threats made by SEIU and the Teamsters to pull out of the AFL-CIO.
Posted daily in AudioPort between 10:00 - 11:00 PM EST
Go To http://www.audioport.org Program type: EVENTS & SPEECHES. Program
Titles: "Building Bridges: date /Convention Coverage"

Wednesday July 27
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM EST
KU right
Special - Building Bridges: Labor Report Convention Overview
Ken Nash, Mimi Rosenberg, WBAI-Pacifica
Building Bridges will offer a report reviewing the convention thus far,
with sounds and reporting from throughout the week at the convention.
Will be posted in AudioPort by July 29th 5:00 PM EST
Go To http://www.audioport.org Program type: WEEKLY PROGRAM. Program
Title: "Building Bridges: Convention Special Coverage"


PRE AND POST CONVENTION COVERAGE:

Friday July 15
Pre-Convention Interview with Bill Fletcher, SEIU
David Bacon, KPFA-Pacifica
David Bacon interviews Bill Fletcher, PresidentTransAfrica Forum,
formerly Education Director, AFL-CIO. Fletcher talks about what's
not being discussed in the debate: labor's response to globalization,
racism in the workplace and labor/community alliances, and the role
of the left in defining a more radical vision for the union movement.
(26 minutes)
Will be posted in AudioPort: Friday, July 15, 9:00 AM EST
Go To http://www.audioport.org Program type: INTERVIEWS. Program Title:
"Labor: Bill Fletcher Interview"


Friday July 15
Running the Gauntlet: Union Organizing in the U.S.A. Today
WBAI Radio's Building Bridges: Your Community & Labor Report
Mimi Rosenberg and Ken Nash, WBAI-Pacifica
While polls show nationwide support for unions, the percentage of
unionized workers in the labor force declines each year. And we'll ask
AFL-CIO Director of Organizing Stewart Acuff what needs to be done
to change labor law & to build a movement to organize the unorganized.
With: Stewart Acuff, Organizing Director, AFL-CIO; Kevin Bealis, Comcast, Chicago, IBEW Steward; Thai Nguyen, Verizon Wireless, Orangeburg, N.Y., CWA; Ana Acosta, H&M Wharehouse, Secaucus, N.J., UniteHere; Carol Muller,
Registered Nurse, Virtua W. Jersey Hospital, JNESO; Paul Patterson,
Support Specialist, St. John's Community Services, Hamilton, NJ, CWA
(One Hour)
Will be posted in AudioPort: Friday, July 15, 9:00 AM EST
Go To http://www.audioport.org Program type: WEEKLY PROGRAMS.
Program Title: "Building Bridges: Union Organizing Today"

Saturday July 16
Congress' Leading African American Spokesperson on Immigration Issues
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST
KU Left
Honorable Texas Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee at KPFA - Pacifica
Ms. Lee will be the keynote speaking at a community forum on immigration
policy. She and other participants will talk about new
proposals for guest worker programs (widely viewed as exploitative and
abusive), other attacks on the rights of immigrant workers, and
her own proposal for a new, progressive direction for reforming US
immigration laws. She and others will talk about the crucial role
unions play in the fight for immigrant rights.
Will be posted in AudioPort by Tuesday July 19, 9:00 AM EST
Go To http://www.audioport.org Program type: INTERVIEWS. Program Title:
"Labor: Jackson-Lee Immigration Rights Forum"

Monday, July 18
7:00 PM (EST), 4pm on KPFK in Los Angeles
Hosts Eric Mann and Manuel Criollo speak with John Wilhelm, President of
HERE and then with Gerald McEntee, president of AFSCME. Topics to be
discussed include 1. the possible break-up of the AFL-CIO, 2. the State
of the American labor movement and American workers in general, 3. the
relationship of U S Labor to international labor, and 4. the position of
U S Labor towards the war in Iraq -- plus much more.
Will be posted in AudioPort by Tuesday July 19
Go To http://www.audioport.org Program type: INTERVIEWS. Program Title:
"Labor2005: Wilheml/McEntee"

Thursday, July 21
10:00 AM (EST)
Book Review: THE TROUBLEMAKER'S HANDBOOK 2
Jane Slaughter, editor
LaborNotes, Detroit, 2005, 372pp, $24
The Troublemaker's Handbook is a collection of advice and experience, to help guide and inspire a new generation of folks who see fighting on the shop
floor as one of the main focal points for any movement for social change. Slaughter and contributing authors will discuss how successful organizing techniques still apply even if the „shop floor‰ has become the „workplace‰.
Rob Robinson, WPFW- Pacifica.
The segment will be posted on Audioport, July 21, between 4:00 ˆ5:00PM EST
Go To http://www.audioport.org Program type: EVENTS & SPEECHES. Program
Titles: "LABOR 2005: Troublemakers Handbook"


Friday July 22
„Battling the Governator: Workers Stand Up to Arnold Schwarzenegger."
This 30 minute program consists of two 15 minute segments that can be
aired back-to-back or separately:
1) Los Angeles' labor movement is leading the nation in worker friendly
public policy, even as they face vicious attacks from the Governator.
Rank-and-file nurses and other workers react to Schwarzenegger and
reflect on how a split in the labor movement could
affect their struggle. Sonali Kolhatkar, KPFK-Pacifica.
2) The Governator strikes back with initiatives to destroy Labor's
political clout. If his so-called "paycheck protection" is approved by
voters in November, labor can no longer use labor dues for political
campaigns. It's one of several measures Schwarzenegger is using to
cripple what's left of labor's clout. We speak with labor leaders &
lawmakers about these measures and their potential impacts.
Maria Armoudian, KPFK-Pacifica.
These segments posted on Audioport, Friday, July 22, 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST.
Go To http://www.audioport.org Program type: EVENTS & SPEECHES. Program
Titles: "LABOR 2005: Battling the Governator_1", "LABOR 2005: Battling
the Governator_2"

Monday, July 25
1) KPFK‚s Eric Mann and Tammy Bang Luu interview Change to Win Coalition Chair, Anna Berger.
2) KPRK‚S Suzi Weissman leads a roundtable on the consequences of a split in the American Trade Union movement; commentators include LaborNotes founder, Kim Moody and Labor reporter, Joann Wypijewski.
3) Eric Mann and Tammy Bang Luu interview Communications Workers of America („CWA‰) organizer and LaborNotes contributor, Steve Early.
4) Eric Mann and Tammy Bang Luu interview Bob Masters of the New York/New England CWA.
These segments posted on Audioport, as of Tuesday, July 26.
Go To http://www.audioport.org Program type: „Series‰ filed under letter „L‰; Program Title: „Labor 2005‰



Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Convention Interview: Eliseo Medina, SEIU
David Bacon speaks with Eliseo Medina, Western Region VP and Immigration Counsel and Tom DeBruin, President of Local 1199, a key player in US Labor Against the War. They discuss SEIU‰s Change-to-Win program, and the aftermath of disaffiliaton.
David Bacon, KPFA-Pacifica
Go To http://www.audioport.org Program type:Interviews. Program
Title: "LABOR 2005: Interview with SEIU Leaders"

Saturday, August 6
The KFPA Labor Collective conducts a wrap-up of the AFL-CIO convention.
Hosts Maxine Duggan and Steve Zeltzer will speak with labor leaders and
activists to provide an overview of the results of the AFL-CIO convention
from a rank-and-file perspective. Some of the guests will include AFL-CIO executive board candidate and labor educator Harry Kelber, UBC member Mike Griffin and other labor activists. We will also interview Palestinian PFFTU trade unionist Atef Sa‚ed who will be attending the AFL-CIO convention.
Posted on Audioport between 9:00 -10:00 AM PST
Go To http://www.audioport.org Program type: EVENTS & SPEECHES. Program










Titles: "LABOR 2005: AFL-CIO Wrap-Up: date /Convention Coverage".







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Latest Raw Audio Files

UFCW disaffiliates from AFL-CIO
Greg Denier , Communications Director for the UFCW, discusses the disaffiliation action. - 07/29/05 (4.09 MB)

Harry Kelber brings down the house urging respect for dissidents and mass mobilization at AFL-CIO convention - 07/29/05
Looking back on 72 years in the labor movement, 60 as an activist, Harry Kelber drew repeated applause from AFL-CIO delegates even as he criticized the AFL-CIO leadership. The 91 year old labor activist, writer and educator says employers will never destroy the U.S. labor movement as he urged respect for dissidents. Kelber advocates mass mobilization of rank and file union members for organizing. Kelber's speech provided by Doug Cunningham, Workers Independent News. (6.54 MB)

Painters President Jim Williams on where labor goes from here - 07/29/05 - (Pt.1 of 2)
Jim Williams, General President of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) talks with WIN's Doug Cunningham just after the AFL-CIO convention adjourned in Chicago. (4.02 MB)

Painter's union President Jim Williams on where labor goes from here - (Pt. 2 of 2) 07/29/05
Jim Williams, General President of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, talks with WIN's Doug Cunningham just after the AFL-CIO convention adjourned in Chicago. (Part 2 of 2) (4.24 MB)

Sweeney says disaffiliated unions are directly challenging AFL-CIO unity and that challenge must be rejected (Pt. 1 of 2)
AFL-CIO President John Sweeney issues memo telling local and regional AFL-CIO central labor councils and state federations that disaffiliated unions seeking to create "partnerships" with AFL-CIO bodies are directly challenging the unity upon which the AFL-CIO depends. Sweeney is telling leaders of these state and regional AFL-CIO organizations they must reject efforts to pick and choose these "partnerships". Sweeney calls these attempts "free-riding" and he vows that the disaffiliated unions won't turn the AFL-CIO into an "open shop operation". (Part 1 of 2) (6.19 MB)

Sweeney says disaffiliated unions are directly challenging AFL-CIO unity and the challenge must be rejected (Pt. 2 of 2)
AFL-CIO President John Sweeney issues memo telling local and regional AFL-CIO central labor councils and state federations that disaffiliated unions seeking to create "partnerships" with AFL-CIO bodies are directly challenging the unity upon which the AFL-CIO depends. Sweeney is telling leaders of these state and regional AFL-CIO organizations they must reject efforts to pick and choose these "partnerships". Sweeney calls these attempts "free-riding" and he vows that the disaffiliated unions won't turn the AFL-CIO into an "open shop operation". (1.82 MB)

AFl-CIO President John Sweeney's remarks on the CAFTA vote - 07/28/05
AFL-CIO President John Sweeney told convention delegates that CAFTA failed on its merits but was narrowly rescued by the Bush administration's use of porks and high stakes pressure tactics. Sweeney condemned the fifteen Democrats who voted for CAFTA. Without their defections from labor on this one, CAFTA would never have passed. (2.65 MB)

Flight attendants create CHAOS action in Chicago - 07/28/05
WIN's Doug Cunningham reports on an Association of Flight Attendants CHAOS picket of United at Chicago's O'Hare airport Thursday. By Doug Cunningham Members of the Association of Flight Attendants – CWA are here at the United terminal in Chicago’s O’Hare airport protesting the actions that United has taken to deprive workers of their pensions. They’re out here on an informational picket on a global day of CHAOS – Creating havoc Around Our System is what that stands for. And it is a tactic of the flight attendants union to try to make al labor action that’s efficient, effective and widespread to make a point here today about their pensions. The situation with United airlines attacking worker pensions using the bankruptcy filing they did in order to do that is something this union says is completely unnecessary. And not only that, but something that sets a precedent that would make all the pensions – the defined benefit pensions in America – at risk, not just those here of the United flight attendants. So these flight attendants are out here at Chicago’s O’Hare, they’re getting lots of horn honks of support from people as they come in tom take off on their flights on the day that the AFL-CIO convention has adjourned here in Chicago. They’re wearing their yellow CHAOS shirts, they’re holding signs “United dumps it’s responsibility on taxpayers” is one of the signs being held up right in front of me, “Replace United Management” is another sign being held up here. These workers are clearly determined and united to do something to protect their pensions against United’s onslaught. Reporting from Chicago’s O’Hare airport, Doug Cunningham, Workers Independent News. (1.29 MB)

On the CHAOS picket line in Chicago O'Hare with CWA's Larry Cohen
WIN's Doug Cunningham interviews CWA's Larry Cohen on the CHAOS picket line in front of United Airlines at Chicago's O'Hare airport. The Association of Flight Attendants is conducting a global day of CHAOS - Creating Havoc Around Our System - to protest United's attack on worker's pensions. United is using bankruptcy court to strip workers of the full defined benefit pensions they've worked hard to earn. And while worker pensions are being trashed, CEO Glen Tilton's $4.5 million pension is being protected, even in bankruptcy. (5.61 MB)

Brother Ed Hill : Solidarity forever!
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Worker's Ed Hill used a personal privilege speech to remind AFL-CIO delegates here in Chicago of the absolute mecessity for solidarity as workers fight for their unions and their lives against the powerful forces arrayed against us. (5.71 MB)

Posted 05/30/2005 - 2:41pm



http://www.laborexpress.org/page6.html


Labor Express for 7-24-05:
The Sunday July 24th Episode of Labor Express focused on the debate over reform of the AFL-CIO. Stewart Acuff, National Organizing Director for the AFL-CIO, explained the position of the current AFL-CIO leadership. Alan Benjamin, Executive Board member of the San Francisco Labor Council, explained the third position in the debate which sees neither Sweeney's nor Stern's approach making the fundamental changes necessary to revive the labor movement. This program includes a live in studio appearance by labor journalists Steve Zeltzer and Wes Brain.


The following audio files are "raw" unedited audio of convention events. Feel free to utilize this audio but let us know if you plan to use it for broadcast, and please remember to credit Labor Express Radio...
(Please Note: To save server space and decrease download time, a number of these files were posted in LoFi MP3 format. If you require a higher quality sound file, please contact us).

Change To Win Coalition Announces a Boycott of the Convention:
On Sunday afternoon, the members of the Change to Win Coalition announced that in their view the AFL-CIO leadership was not serious about reform and therefore, coalition member unions SEIU, UFCW, UNITE-HERE, and the Teamsters, would not participate in the convention. Here is audio of their press conference.

Interview with Stewart Acuff:
Here is the full interview with Stewart Acuff, National Organizing Director of the AFL-CIO on the position of the Sweeney Leadership in the debate over reform of the AFL-CIO. Only part of this interview was utilized for the July 24th episode of Labor Express.

Interview with Alan Benjamin:
Here is the full interview with Alan Benjamin, Executive Board member of the San Francisco Labor Council, explaining the third position in AFL-CIO debate, which sees neither Sweeney's nor Stern's approach making the fundamental changes necessary to revive the labor movement. Only part of this interview was utilized for the July 24th episode of Labor Express.

Interview with Steve Zeltzer and Wes Brain:
After Sunday's broadcast I talked to Wes & Steve more about their take on the likely AFL-CIO split, the Labor for Palestine Conference, the Anti Iraq War resolution, the resolution asking for funding for a labor TV and radio network, and the resolution asking for an end to NED funding for the Solidarity Center.

John Wilhelm:
UNITE-HERE President John Wilhelm discusses the reasons for the split from the AFL-CIO, and how it is likely to effect the labor movement. UNITE-HERE is one of the members of the Change to Win Coalition. Unlike SEIU and the Teamsters, Unite-HERE has not yet announced disaffiliation from the AFL-CIO but it is expected to do so in the near future. (Thanks to Steve Zeltzer and the KPFA Labor Radio Collective for allowing us to post this audio).

AFL-CIO Leaders respond to the split:
R. Thomas Buffenbarger, President of the Machinists (IAM), Michael Sullivan, President of the Sheet Metal Workers, Gerald W. McEntee, President of AFSCME, and Nat LaCour, Secretary-Treasurer of the American Federation of Teachers answer questions on how the split will effect the labor movement.