Folks,
Greetings from the Burgh, where it's a beautiful 60 degrees, and the streets are full of people walking, but for workers in the city's scientific employment, things don't look so good.
Pittsburgh to Lose $141 Million In Federal NIH Funding.
On Friday, hundreds of researchers and university employees rallied against the cuts at a rally at the University of Pittsburgh. However, organizers say that many researchers were too scared to show up because they feared having their funding eliminated for speaking out against the Trump Administration.
"That is not normal for our country. You should not be worried that what you're saying is going to cut your science funding, which is why we have to do this," Carrie McDonough, a chemistry professor at Carnegie Mellon University, said at the rally.
For more, check out Public Source.
Trump Eliminated Collective Bargaining for 47,000 TSA Workers
When the Transportation Security Administration was created during the Bush Administration, its 47,000 workers weren't allowed collective bargaining rights.
Then, under the Obama Administration, TSA regained the right to collective bargaining. Now, the Trump Administration is taking away collective bargaining rights once again.
AFGE union leaders say the move is retaliation for TSA federal workers speaking out against the Trump Administration.
"Our union has been out in front challenging this administration's unlawful actions targeting federal workers, both in the legal courts and in the court of public opinion," the union said in a statement. "Now our TSA officers are paying the price with this clearly retaliatory action."
For more on this attack's threat, check out veteran labor reporter Harold Meyerson at the American Prospect.
1,500 Silicon Valley Transit Workers on Strike
In the Silicon Valley of Northern California, over 1,500 bus and rail workers are on strike against the Valley Transit Authority. Despite being one of the richest regions in the country, the union said it was forced to strike after management refused to increase their offer by more than 1% during 6 months of bargaining.
"I couldn't tell you how disappointed we truly were that they didn't try to increase their offer by even a percent," ATU Local 265 President Raj Singh told KGO.
Catholic Women Strike Against Church During Lent
Catholic women perform vital roles for the church as staff and volunteers. However, the Catholic Church currently forbids women from serving in leadership roles as bishops, priests, or deacons.
Now, the group, Women's Ordination Conference, is calling on Catholic women to refuse to work or volunteer for the church during Lent.
"We're calling the women of the Catholic Church to join together in striking from sexism by withholding labor, time and financial resources from the church during Lent," Kate McElwee, executive director of the Women's Ordination Conference, told Anabaptist World.
For more, check out Anabaptist World.
WMFT Union Activists Honor Studs Terkel in Push to Unionize
For 45 years, oral historian and ethnographer Studs Terkel, author of "Working," hosted a show on WFMT in Chicago. Now, workers at the historic radio station are unionizing and calling on their employers to recognize their drive in the spirit of Studs Terkel.
"Studs is a broadcasting legend who joined the staff and WFMT in 1952, where his radio show ran until 1997. He interviewed countless guests ranging from Mahalia Jackson to Michael Tilson Thomas to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr," the union said in a statement. "He had conversations with various other guests throughout this time discussing the subjects of labor unions and their benefits. We honor his work today!"
For more on the union drive at WMFT, check out SAG-AFTRA.
News & Headlines Elsewhere
- The caregiving industry relies on immigrants. These workers fear deportation under Trump
- Northwestern University food service and hospitality employees on strike
- Fort Wayne Coca-Cola employees strike
- Atlantic Theater, IATSE Reach 1st Ever Contract for Off-Broadway Workers
- The Southern Women Handling 1-800-MEDICARE Calls Still Want a Union
- IATSE Stands in Solidarity with Finnish Film and TV Workers in TEME Strike Action
- Finally, Israeli university employees vow to strike if Netanyahu fires Israeli Attorney General
Alright folks, that's all for today. Keep sending tips, story ideas, contacts, and comments to melk@paydayreport.com
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Love & Solidarity,
Melk
