Voices At Work

Union Maid and Hell Raiser, Anne Feeney, has announced that an 11cm tumor was found on her lung while traveling in Sweden. Now back in the US, she is being admitted to Shadyside Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA.

She writes in her blog:

Instead, here I am in Pittsburgh packing to go Shadyside Hospital. On August 3rd, in Sweden, a lung specialist advised me that I have an 11 cm tumor on my lung that is stressing both my heart and lungs in dangerous ways. As terrifying as this diagnosis is, it is in many ways a relief to get an explanation for the several mysterious and troubling symptoms I've had for the past few months... including increasing fatigue, shortness of breath, terrible coughing, and bizarre heart rhythms.

I could have stayed in Sweden for the bronchoscopy, biopsy and surgery ... my health insurance would have covered everything in Sweden that it covers here. But even the best case scenario here will involve a protracted recovery period and probably at least six months out of work. It was also hard to think about being so seriously ill so far away from my children, and my lifelong network of friends in Pittsburgh.

The diagnosis has wiped out most of her meager folksinger's savings. She has been forced to cancel a lot of work and incurred a lot of unexpected travel expenses. Although most of her medical bills will be covered (now that she has come up with the $6000 in deductibles and copay), it seems unlikely that she'll be able to return to her hectic tour schedule, or any full time work, for several months.

Join all of us at Voices At Work in wishing Anne a speedy and full recovery. Send Anne a Get Well Message on her Guestbook.

If you want to help out Anne with what are going to be fairly staggering expenses by folksinger's standards...

You could send a donation via PayPal to getwellanne@annefeeney.com or send a check to Anne:

Anne Feeney
2240 Milligan Ave
Pittsburgh PA 15218

I'm hoping to find 1000 folks who'll pony up $50 ... I really *don't* want any larger donations ... I don't want anyone to dig deep for this... and if $50 is hard for you to come by, PLEASE don't think about sending me a cent. I know I have enough dear friends who are doing okay that those of you who are struggling shouldn't spend a second worrying about my finances.

Join all of us at Voices At Work in wishing Anne a speedy and full recovery. Send Anne a Get Well Message on her Guestbook.

Newcastle, Maine (Vocus/PRWEB ) July 9, 2010 -- An effort to gather stories about the importance of Social Security in our society has resulted in a special video project and upcoming book. The Social Security Stories Project is seeking story submissions from the public, with a goal of receiving 1,000 stories by the end of July. The stories will then be reviewed for possible inclusion in a new book to be published in honor of the 75th anniversary of Social Security on Aug. 14, 2010.

There are currently 10 stories featured in a new video that was showcased by the National Academy of Social Insurance on June 22, 2010 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.  The video can also be viewed on YouTube. The video uses photos submitted by the story tellers, as well as audio captured through a special toll-free number set up for the project.

Those who have received Social Security as well as those who know of a friend or family member whose life was impacted are encouraged to submit their stories. Online submission is easy and requires less than 400 words or a short video. Full details and a submission form are available at www.SocialSecurityStories.org. Stories can also be shared by calling 1-800-335-2082.

“We are hoping the younger generations will interview their parents and grandparents on the subject which is why our website offers interview questions,” says Barbara Burt, executive director for the Frances Perkins Center, a nonprofit organization leading the project as part of its mission to honor and learn from Frances Perkins (the first woman to serve in a presidential cabinet). A pioneering woman in and ahead of her time, Perkins was U.S. secretary of labor for Franklin Delano Roosevelt. She was champion of the New Deal, close friend and advisor to FDR.

The Social Security Stories Project seeks to create a full picture of the importance of Social Security to celebrate and share with all U.S. citizens, and the world. Stories featured in the video include:

• The story of a new dad that died a few days after his son was born. The son received his Social Security benefits, preventing a further tragedy for the family. “I am saddened that my grandson has to grow up without his daddy,” says Angela Stockwell of Athens, Maine. “But I am grateful that a program which began 75 years ago still exists today to help struggling families deal financially with the loss of a loved one.”
• The story of a dad struck by cancer suddenly, leaving his wife to care for their children alone. “The funeral director in our small town told my mom about benefits available from Social Security that would help her,” says Evonne Zalewski of Greendale, Wis. “ I remember my mom telling me how this will help so much and that we will not be poor or have to move. Having grown up during the depression with only food stamps available was terrifying for my mom.”

“We're inviting people across America to share examples of how Social Security made a meaningful difference in their life or the life of someone they know -- as it currently does for one in six Americans,” says Burt.

Go to SocialSecurityStories.org for more information.

 sandec@afge.org.

Written by Texas AFL-CIO

From The health care reform bill is very close to becoming law. Call Congress Wednesday and ask your representative to fix the deep flaws in the Senate version of the bill.

National Call-In Day is Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010.

Call toll-free 1-877-3-AFLCIO.

Our message is as simple as abc. Please ask your member of Congress to support these principles:
a) NO tax on health care benefits;
b) Require employers to pay their fair share;
c) Reduce costs – the best way is a public health care option.

Call Wednesday: 1-877-3-AFLCIO.

For a full comparison of the House and Senate versions of the bill, go to: http://www.aflcio.org/issues/healthcare/upload/hc_comparison010710.pdf

We’re on the verge of history. But we need to tell our members of Congress to get the final version of health care reform right.

Written by Richard Shaw, Harris-County AFL-CIO Council

The American Federation Government Employees - AFGE - is organizing the Transportation Security Officers (TSO's) of the Transportation Security Administration. They will soon have Collective Bargaining Rights under the Barack Obama administration. Kay Bailey Hutchison recently denounced their right to collective bargaining. Need I tell you more?

AFGE is requesting Union support and presence at IAH and Hobby Airports. Wear your Union colors. Signs name tags will be provided. Let's all stand up for the TSO's right to have a Union and to bargain collectively.

Date: December 15, 2009
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (11:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. most critical time)
Place: Hobby Airport - Baggage Claim Area

Date: December 17, 2009
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (11:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. most critical time)
Place: IAH - Terminal B - Baggage Claim Area

I have a large supply of luggage tags (that we will wear) and can be used on your luggage when you travel. I will have these available. If you would like a luggage tag before these dates, please come by the Harris County AFL-CIO Council and pick one up.

Your presence and support for the TSO's is very important. They need to know that there are other Union members that support them!

Thank you.

Richard C. Shaw
Secretary-Treasurer
Harris County AFL-CIO Council

What if the moment came, and you knew your life was down to minutes, and a note was all you could leave...

We hear stories of miners being trapped in a mine, knowing that they will likely not make it out alive. Those last minutes until the they pass on, some have left notes to their loved ones on scraps of paper or scratched onto the walls of the mine.

In this holiday season, consider that most of use don't have any warning when the end will come. Take a moment to spend time with your loved ones and let them know how much you cherish them. What would you say?

Written by Charlie Kernaghan

Dear Friends,

If you missed today's ABC "Good Morning America" report on Wal-Mart's punitive sick-leave policies -including demerits and docked wages, driving Wal-Mart employees to work no matter how sick they are-you can still see it at: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/SwineFluNews/walmart-sick-policy-irks/story?id=8999558

An estimated 14,886,054 viewers saw the program this morning.

Wal-Mart said it will not change its sick leave policies-which put both workers and customers at greater risk of catching swine flu because, well…. "because it is our policy." In a real humanitarian step, Wal-Mart has promised that no employee will be fired for having the H1N1 virus.

The story hit a nerve. A flood of Wal-Mart employees are sending their horror stories both to ABC and to the NLC. Other companies are also being exposed, including Home Depot and the major airlines.

We encourage you to weigh in about Wal-Mart's punitive sick leave policy on ABC/Good Morning America's site. If we can reform Wal-Mart, other companies will follow. The door is open. We must run through it. Let's keep the pressure up.

• ABC/Good Morning America, November 6, 2009 "Risking Demerits or Spreading H1N1?
• National Labor Committee, "Wal-Mart's Sick Leave Policy Risks Spreading Swine Flu; Retail Giant Flouts Recommendations of Centers for Disease Control"

Written by Laura Boston, Houston Interfaith Worker Justice Organizer

Houston Interfaith Worker Justice would like to announce the following:

We’re excited to invite you onto the Justice Bus on Thursday, November 19th, 2009. This is the perfect opportunity to put your faith and values in action! The Justice Bus and its riders will be a mobile protest pressuring abusive employers of specific cases to change their ways, and as a mode of raising awareness of labor abuses. Give us a call at 713-862-8222 so we can put you on the list!

On the way to each stop, workers will give a breif overview of the situation, our efforts thus far, and our goals for the visit.

Ideally we’d like to have the pleasure of your company the whole day, but we understand busy schedules. So, if not the whole day, you can meet us at our lunch stop, or meet us at a stop and follow behind the bus. Give us a call and we’ll be happy to give out our cell phone numbers and addresses for the stops (we just don’t want to be expected).

Agenda

• 8:30am Participants convene at Zion Lutheran Church ( 3606 Beauchamp St, Houston, TX 77009)
• 9 - 10am Press Conference & Bus Departs
• 10 - 11am 1st Stop
• 11 - 12pm 2nd Stop
• 12 - 1:30pm Lunch at Houston Mennonite Church (1231 Wirt Rd, Houston, TX 77055) (yes, lunch is free!)
• 1:30 - 2:30pm 3rd Stop
• 2:30 - 3:30pm 4th Stop
• 3:30 - 4:30pm 5th Stop – Justice for Janitors / SEIU March
• 5pm Bus Returns to Zion Lutheran Church

Written by Billionaires for Wealthcare

AHIP is the powerful insurance lobby that spends 5 million dollars a week trying to kill health care reform. Billionaires for Wealthcare is a grassroots network looking to stop them - with song.

• AHIP and other insurance and HMO interests spend nearly $5 million per week undermining real health care reform, including a public option.
• AHIP has resorted to out-right lying and scare tactics to block health care reform. They sent letters that lie to seniors about what health care reform means for Medicare, and they issued a report on the costs of health care reform legislation that is so misleading even the reports embarrassed authors distanced themselves from the way AHIP used their work.
• Every year, 45,000 people die because they cant get access to the health care they need. Yet AHIP continues to stand in the way of health care reform that would provide coverage to millions of Americans because the industry is more concerned with protecting profits than saving lives.

On the anniversary of their four-week strike for a better future…
Houston Janitors to Open Free Public Exhibit Downtown to Commemorate their Historic Struggle
At opening reception, janitors will share memories of 2006 strike as they prepare to negotiate their second contract.

Houston — To mark the anniversary of their historic 2006 strike, Houston janitors will open a museum-style exhibit downtown with a gala reception this evening from 6 – 9 p.m. Members of the news media are invited to tour the exhibit, take photographs, and speak to veteran janitors of the strike and community supporters during this time.

The exhibit, which is free and open to the public, includes video, photos, news clippings, leaflets, personal testimonies and other artifacts and documents from the strike. The exhibit will run until Friday, October 30.

• WHAT: Huelga - The Houston Janitors 2006 Strike for a Better Future, An anniversary exhibit featuring pictures, video, and artifacts from the Houston janitors' strike of 2006
• WHEN: Opening reception today, October 23rd, 6 – 9 P.M.
• WHERE: 3229 Milam St. @ Corner of Milam and Elgin
• WHO: Strike veteran janitors and members and leaders of local community organizations
• VISUALS: Large photos, flags, banners, and other artifacts of the strike on display for the public. Videos-- recapping the strike and featuring interviews with children of the janitors.

Background

On October 23, 2006, Houston office janitors went on a four-week strike that improved their lives and began to change the service industry in our city through the creation of good jobs with healthcare. Most were paid just $20 a day and had no health insurance or other benefits. Their strike resulted in a collective bargaining agreement that raised their wages and provided access to affordable health care. The agreement expires November 20th.

Contact

Kevin O’Donnell, (312) 401-7598, odonnellk@seiu1.org
Laurie Couch, (847) 420-5108, couchl@seiu1.org