URBAN WORK - March, 2008
from Ross Rieder, 18.03.2008 09:30
This newswire is "local news" for Southern Oregon members of the Pacific Northwest Labor History Association. PNLHA Director Ross Rieder is a regular on cable TV in our region. The monthly program "Our View" from the Washington Federation of State Employees features a regular "labor history vignette" from Ross Rieder. Our View is shown once or twice a month via OPEU District 4 Productions whose regular programming can be seen Wednesdays at 6pm on cable channel 15 in both Jackson and Josephine counties.
This March 2008 edition of URBAN WORK highlights PNLHA's plans for the 2008 Labour History Conference to be held June 6-8 in Vancouver, British Columbia
URBAN WORK: March 2008
Comes to you periodically from the Pacific Northwest Labor History Association. It is edited by PNLHA President Ross Rieder and blends insights, reading and gleanings on current developments, info bites from friends with the intent of helping trade unionists and supporters of all workers shape the labor movement’s future — as well as reports on labour history activities.
Instructions on subscribing or unsubscribing to URBAN WORK are at the bottom of this newswire...
“An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.” M Gandhi
2008 Labour History Conference —
June 6-8, Vancouver, British Columbia
To learn more about PNLHA and this year's labor history conference go to their website
http://www3.telus.net/robbgibbs/PNLHA/
REGISTRATION: By early the week of March 24, the PNLHA website (www.pnlha.org) should contain downloadable forms for those who wish to register by cheque or money order and USPS/Canada Post. It will take a few more days before you can register by email and credit/debit card.
HOUSING: There are several major conferences and an international marathon in Vancouver that weekend. Second - we have about 55 rooms secured until May 5th, but the conference program includes 77 presenters/moderators from out of town. Do not delay making room reservations, please.
It is likely that if someone wants to check in a day earlier and stay a day later that the same rate will apply, but there is no guarantee that there are any rooms available on either side of the Conference, so best to book super early.
YWCA Hotel - identify as part of PNLHA group 6 blocks from conference site. Varying prices but generally under $100 + taxes guaranteed for June 5, 6 and/or 7, 2008 until May 5. 15 double rooms have been booked - some with shared bath.
733 Beatty Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6B 2M4
Phone: 604-895-5830 Fax: 604-681-2550
toll free: 1-800-663-1424
http://www.ywcahotel.com — email: 
hotel@ywcavan.org
The Best Western Chateau Granville - identify as part of the CUPW group — 11 blocks from conference site. $108/night + taxes guaranteed for June 5, 6 and/or 7, 2008 until May 5. 30 single, non-smoking rooms have been booked.
1100 Granville Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6Z 1M1
Phone: 604 669 7070 Fax: 604 669 4928
no toll free number http://www.chateaugranville.co
The Days Inn Vancouver Downtown - identify as part of the CUPW group — 6 blocks from conference site. $165/night + taxes guaranteed for June 6 and/or 7, 2008 until May 5. 20 single, non-smoking rooms have booked.
921 West Pender Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6C 1M2
Phone: 604 601 3839 Fax: 604 681 7808
toll-free 1-877-681-4335 http://www.daysinnvancouver.com
EVENTS: A Part of the Union is a monthly program produced by mostly PNLHA members on KSER-FM 90.7 in Snohomish County. AFT members Roger Yockey and John Scott usually do the interviewing, Bill Johnston and Allyn Triezenberg appear occasionally, and Ross Rieder usually does the final production with music and a few short words. APOTU airs every third Tuesday at 5.00 p.m. March 17 airs the second half of an interview with author Peter Cole about his recent book “Wobblies on the Waterfront.” Our April interview is scheduled to be with the president of the Seattle area National Air Traffic Controllers Association. Listen up if you can get the signal or check KSER.org for simulcast.
PNW Folk Life: the now traditional three hour labor stage will be Saturday, May 24, 3-6 pm at the Charlotte Martin Theater at Seattle Center. The venue might still change until it's in print, but timing is unlikely to change.
BRAGG ABOUT IT: According to Brother Yockey, musician/unionist/socialist Billy Bragg plays the Moore Theatre in Seattle on June 6.
…and around the world (from Harry Kelber)
GM Europe to Cut 5,000 Jobs in Four Countries: General Motors Europe is seeking to eliminate 5, 000 jobs-- about one-tenth of its European workforce--in a new round of cost cuts as the top U.S. carmaker aims to stem steep losses in declining auto markets. What is on the table is a plan for 5,000 voluntary layoffs in West Europe, says Jean-Marc Ruhland, a CFDT union member of the European works council at GM.
Polish Teachers Union Calls for Education Services for All Children: The teachers' union (ZNP) has called on the Polish government to ensure that comprehensive early childhood services are provided to all young children in the country. This would help create equal opportunities for all children and contribute to their physical, social, cognitive and emotional development.
Currently, only about 30 percent of young children in Poland have access to early childhood education. This is far below the regional average and the Barcelona targets set in 2002. According to these targets, by 2010, countries in the European Union should provide early childhood education services to at least 90 percent of the children aged between 3 and the compulsory school age and to at least 33 percent of the children under 3.
ExxonMobil Victimizes Union Staff at Nigerian Oil Fields: Mobil Oil Nigeria Pfc., a 100 percent subsidiary owned by U.S.-based ExxonMobil, has declared war on the Nigerian oil workers' union PENGASSAN. It has fired several of the union's top leaders, including representatives of the union's bargaining committee. It has also unilaterally discharged shop stewards and workers identified with the union. The company seeks to conduct its production operations with a non-union staff.
Three-Hour Strike by Greece's Largest Union Causes Disruption
Striking garbage collectors pelted riot police with trash March 12 during labor protests that disrupted flights and caused continued power outages across Greece. The scuffles occurred outside the Labor Ministry in Athens, as 5,000 demonstrators marched to Parliament in the latest of a string of protests against a planned overhaul of the country's debt-ridden pension system.
Workers Stage Widespread Strikes against Pension Reform March 14, 2008 A series of strikes orchestrated by Greece's largest unions has caused traffic gridlock in Athens, left tons of garbage uncollected and could cause power outages in days ahead. The unions are protesting potential pension reforms that might raise the retirement age and
cut social benefits.
A string of strikes among public and private sector workers in Greece has caused traffic jams and major service interruptions this week, as the country's biggest unions attempt to squash a proposed pension reform bill.
The General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE), Greece's largest labor union with about 2.5 million members, is leading the strikes in conjunction with other unions of municipal and private employees.
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opeiu8aflcio (union bug)
Ross K. Rieder, President
Pacific NW Labor History Association
27920 68th Av E • Graham, WA 98338
C: 206.406.2604
