Folks,
Greetings from the Burgh, where I have battled a brutal sinus infection.
$2,835 Raised Towards Rebuilding Reserve Fund to Fight Back Against Trump
Good news! We have raised $2,835 towards our $10,000 reserve fund, which was severely depleted during the election. The reserve fund allows us to take on major projects that involve travel, like during the election when we filed 52 stories and 26 videos.
The reserve fund also allows me to take time off when I'm sick. Likewise, it will enable us to plug budget holes when we see a downturn in donations, such as we have seen since the departure from Twitter due to Elon Musk.
Donate to help us rebuild the reserve fund and fight back against Trump. Please sign up as a recurring donor.
5,000 Virginia Teachers Vote to Unionize
Earlier this year, Payday was in Virginia when 27,000 teachers in Fairfax County, Virginia, voted to unionize.
Now, 5,000 teachers have voted to unionize in nearby Loudoun County, Virginia, continuing the massive trend of unionization that has seen more than 50,000 public employees unionize in Virginia in the last 3 years.
The effort to win collective bargaining rights is the culmination of 3 years battle in Northern Virginia.
"It's been a marathon and not a sprint, trying to talk to School Board members, trying to explain what collective bargaining is, even for ourselves. It's been very educational for us, because Virginia hasn't had collective bargaining or the possibility of collective bargaining in over 40 years," Loudoun Education Association Vice President Cory Brunet told Loudoun News Now. "So, none of the School Board members knew about it, but none of the LCPS staff knew about it. None of us LEA members knew about it."
For more, check out Loudoun News Now.
Trump to Allow ICE Raids on Churches, Schools & Hospitals
Since 2011, federal authorities have not raided churches, schools, or hospitals. However, the Trump Administration is now allowing raids on previously restricted places.
The decision has met outrage from immigrant rights groups.
"Not even most ICE agents want to barge into churches or schools and carry out arrests," tweeted Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior fellow at the American Immigration Council on X. "But the Trump admin wants people to be afraid; so they want nowhere to seem safe, no matter how draconian and brutal the operation may seem and how much backlash it may generate."
Trump Speaks Out Against Port Automation
With East Coast port workers moving closer to a January 15th strike deadline, the key issue is that automation is likely to eliminate many jobs in the ports.
Following a meeting with the International Longshore Association, whose right-wing leadership had long played footsy with Trump, the president-elect spoke out against automation and blasted foreign-owned shippers for their ability to implement it in American ports.
"I've studied automation, and know just about everything there is to know about it," Trump declared on social media. "The amount of money saved is nowhere near the distress, hurt, and harm it causes for American Workers."
For more, check out G Captain.
Federal Judge Blocks Kroger-Albertson Merger
For the first time in the FTC's history, the agency moved to block the merger of Kroger and Albertson on the grounds that it would hurt workers.
Yesterday, a federal judge formally blocked the merger of the two supermarket giants. Unions celebrated the victory.
"This victory has a direct, tangible impact on the lives of millions of Americans who shop at Kroger or Albertsons-owned grocery stores for their everyday needs, whether that's a Fry's in Arizona, a Vons in Southern California, or a Jewel-Osco in Illinois," said Henry Lui of the FTC. "This is also a victory for thousands of hardworking union employees, protecting their hard-earned paychecks by ensuring Kroger and Albertsons continue to compete for workers through higher wages, better benefits, and improved working conditions."
For more, check out Common Dreams.
Climate Change Driving Canada Postal Workers' Strike
A strike of 55,000 Canadian postal workers is now entering its 4th week. Workers say they are striking over the degradation of working conditions, including safety. From the Canadian Global Television Network:
As Canada Post workers remain on the picket line, a key point of contention in their demands is what they describe as a growing physical and mental toll amid increasing pressure on workers, more extreme weather, and whether to expand health benefits
From delivering parcels through scorching heatwaves to battling blizzards, Canadian postal workers increasingly face extreme weather conditions that strain their bodies and minds.
"In recent years, climate change has shown a bit of a trend," said Brahm Enslin, local president at CUPW Saskatoon Local 824.
"There was an ice storm and we had a rash of injuries," Enslin added, referring to the storm last year in Saskatoon. "Members that broke their hip just by going out there."
For more, check out Canadian Global TV News Network.
News & Headlines Elsewhere
- Fewer California workers were dying on the job. Then fentanyl happened
- Alabama says inmates are safe enough for KFC but too dangerous for parole
- Judge rejects sale of Alex Jones's Infowars to The Onion in dispute over bankruptcy auction
- Fired ballet dancers reach $500K+ settlement with Dallas Black Dance Theatre
- Heineken workers in France' strike over pay
- Korea's Metal Workers Call Strike in Push for Yoon's Exit
Alright folks, that's all for today. Keep sending tips, story ideas, comments, and complaints to melk@paydayreport.com
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Love & Solidarity,
Melk
