Folks,
Greetings from the Burgh, but the news today is back down in Rio de Janeiro.
Mônica Benício Re-Elected to Rio City Council
In 2018, Rio City Councilwoman Marielle Franco, with whom I attended college, was assassinated by paramilitary forces. Earlier this year, it was discovered that the Rio City Police chief and two influential political figures, the Brazão brothers, conspired to murder her.
(See our story from Rio in March entitled "Rio Police Chief Arrested for Killing Marielle Franco.")
Yesterday, her widow, Mônica Benício, was re-elected to another four year term on Rio City's Council. Not only that, but she defeated the candidates backed by the Brazāo Brothers.
"We ran a campaign with the courage of people who know that only fighting changes lives. No businessman's money, no rent to the mafias, no conciliation, just giving a left-wing and socialist project," wrote Benício on Instagram. "In a world where politics is so discredited, this result is a huge proof of trust that you give me."
For more, check out Mônica Benício's Instagram page.
Port Workers Win 62% Raise
In a landmark deal, 45,000 port workers, who went on strike last week, have won a raise of 62% over five years. The union, however, will continue to negotiate on automation and could strike again as soon as January 15th.
The Biden-Harris Administration was quick to tout their role in getting a deal done.
"Today's tentative agreement on a record wage and an extension of the collective bargaining process represents critical progress towards a strong contract," said President Biden in a statement. "I congratulate the dockworkers from the ILA, who deserve a strong contract after sacrificing so much to keep our ports open during the pandemic."
For more on the Biden's Administration role in getting this deal, check out Robert Kuttner at The American Prospect.
Firefighters Union Will Not Endorse Harris After Endorsing Biden
In a sign of tension between Kamala Harris and some right-wing elements of the labor movement, the firefighters union (IAFF) announced this week that they would not endorse Harris.
"[The union's executive board] determined that we are better able to advocate for our members and make progress on the issues that matter to them if we, as a union, are standing shoulder-to-shoulder," said IAFF President Edward A. Kelley in a statement. "This decision, which we took very seriously, is the best way to preserve and strengthen our unity."
The Trump campaign played up the non-endorsement again, saying in an email, "the second high-profile union to snub [Harris'] campaign in recent weeks following the Teamsters non-endorsement last month."
Ballet Dancers Unionizing in Unprecedented Numbers
Finally, The Nation has a long look at why ballet dancers are unionizing in unprecedented numbers:
"Dancers are some of the hardest workers that you can meet, and anyone I know who's in a management position—who has hired dancers in the past—raves about how focused and hardworking former dancers are and willing to go above and beyond," Post said. Now director of the Minnesota Dance School, Post received mentorship from Second Act, a nonprofit organization dedicated to career transition, which was fortunate because ABT [American Ballet Theater] lacked the necessary job-retraining support.
Alexandra Basmagy, another former ballet dancer with ABT who retired last spring after more than a decade, has seen increased advocacy from younger dancers pushing for better conditions in a constant, physical job in her role with the union negotiation committee. She attributes this to more value placed on work-life balance following the pandemic. She is also seeing a broader cultural shift in the next generation of dance, with newer members starting to think sooner about end-of-career support.
Like many industries, ballet has seen a rise in unionization over the past five years—especially after the pandemic, when ballet dancers faced unprecedented job insecurity. According to DanceUSA, the unemployment rate for dancers more than quadrupled between 2019 and 2020 as consumer spending on admissions dropped by more than $30 billion. In ballet, over the last eight years, 11 dance companies, one touring production, and the faculty at the School of American Ballet have unionized for the first time."
For more, check out The Nation.
Links & Headlines Elsewhere
- In 1st strike authorization vote at Stellantis, UAW members at Los Angeles Parts Center overwhelmingly approve a walkout if U.S. investments aren't made
- 600 hotel workers are on strike at the Hilton Boston Logan and the Hilton Boston Park Plaza
- Sen. Bernie Sanders joins Teamsters on strike outside Marathon's Detroit refinery
- Boeing Machinist negotiations resume on Monday
- Hawai'i - Hilton guests protest due to lack of service from hotel workers strike
- Saginaw, Michigan - This swing county saw a job boom due to Biden, yet many union members still back Trump
- U.S. Jewish Institutions are purging their staffs of anti-Zionists
- Finally, the International Federation of Journalists has a look at how they have fought for the over 130 Palestinian journalists killed over the last year.
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
