Workers Rock

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Welcome to Workers Rock! This week, we have a powerful and eye-opening interview with 'Pinky,' a dedicated Workers' Rights Defender in Malaysia. Pinky shares the harrowing story of 750 migrant workers from Bangladesh who were recruited by a company called MULIA ONE. Upon arriving in Malaysia, they found that there were no jobs waiting for them, and their passports taken on the spot. Stranded and living in squalid conditions for five months, these workers' plight was eventually brought to light by a network of Defenders, including Andy Hall and our guest, 'Pinky.' Tune in for this compelling and important conversation. Find Andy Hall on web https://andyjhall.org/

In this episode of Workers Rock, we sit down with Jon Schleuss, International President of the CWA News Guild. Representing 27,000 members across renowned newsrooms such as the Democrat & Chronicle in Rochester, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the LA Times, the Washington Post, the Seattle Times, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, ProPublica, the San Antonio Report, and more, Schleuss provides an in-depth look into the current state of journalism. He delves into what journalists are seeking, the reasons behind their growing energy, and the challenges they face. Since 2005, the industry has shed over 43,000 jobs, offering little job security and traditionally low pay. However, the landscape is changing as journalists and newspaper staffers increasingly advocate for fair compensation and equity by organizing strikes and walkouts. "Problematic companies take advantage of the fact that we love what we do," Schleuss explains. He believes that journalism is the most righteous job one can pursue. Join us as we explore these crucial topics and more in our conversation with Jon Schleuss. Jon discusses some ongoing negotiations in newsrooms, one being the Rochester News Guild (Gannett) Democrat & Chronicle, who went out on strike, and returned without a deal and the Pittsburgh Post Gazette who have been on strike for over 19 months. Find them at their strike publication www.unionprogress.com Find CWA Newsguild:Website: https://newsguild.org/Twitter: https://twitter.com/newsguild Democrat & Chronicle Newsroom Unit: https://twitter.com/rocnewsguild Facebook.com/newsguild Find Jon Schleuss:https://twitter.com/gaufre 

Lennon Ying-Dah Wong is the Director for the Department of Policies on migrant workers for Serve the People Association, Taiwan (SPA), a labor organization in Taiwan that helps migrant workers and Taiwanese workers unionize. Many migrant workers in Taiwan live in Shelters like SPA. On Workers Rock, Lennon discusses the horrific treatment that they experience. Because of dismal job opportunitiies in their home countries, workers from Indonesia, Phillipenes, Thailand and Vietnam arrive in Taiwan after paying expensive recruitment fees and receiving loans that are difficult to pay off. Lennon and his team discovered a forced labor ring that dupes entertainers from across the world, in this case, Kenya, enslaving them on farms in and around Tainan. Lennon and the SPA are working to help these individuals to become immigrants, helping them find and secure gainful employment. To find Serve the People Association, Taiwan (SPA) Website http://Spa.org.tw Facebook https://www.facebook.com/spa.taoyuan Lennon's Twitter If you are enjoying Workers Rock and our content, give us a follow! :D Thank you for listening!

Maria Fisher is a Workers' Rights Advocate from Rochester, NY who is involved in the labor movement in various ways. She is the Rochester Area Federation, AFL-CIO Vice President, the Rochester Labor Council, AFL-CIO Recording Secretary and the Director of Communications and Political Action for AFSCME Council 66 in Upstate, New York. Maria talks about local union activity, wins that she is celebrating and her goal for workers to understand their power. Find Maria on her socials: On Twitter/X Facebook Follow Workers Rock on Socials! On Twitter/X Facebook

This week on Workers Rock Podcast, Nadia Harris a Remote Work Advocate (London) paints a vivid picture of the transformative effects of remote work on society, touching on everything from urban living patterns to gender equality and environmental impact. The shift towards remote work is reshaping cities, with downtown areas seeing an influx of residents as office buildings are repurposed into living spaces. This not only reflects changing work dynamics but also hints at broader societal changes. The resistance from some sectors of the real estate industry to bring workers back to office buildings speaks volumes about the significance of this shift. It's a testament to the power dynamics at play and the resistance to change entrenched in certain industries. The recognition of remote work as a human right, particularly in light of its potential impact on gender equality, is an important perspective. By enabling more flexibility in work arrangements, remote work can help dismantle some of the barriers that disproportionately affect women in the workforce. Moreover, the environmental benefits of remote work, such as reduced carbon emissions from decreased commuting, align with broader sustainability goals. This highlights the interconnectedness of remote work with larger societal and environmental issues. The emphasis on using emojis as a means to convey emotion in remote communication underscores the importance of maintaining interpersonal connections in virtual work environments. It's a reminder that even in digital spaces, human connection and understanding remain vital. Nadia's recommendation of remote work career websites in this episode, reflects the growing ecosystem of platforms catering to this expanding workforce. Overall, Nadia's message to advocate for oneself and strive for a balanced life in the remote work landscape is empowering. It encourages individuals to assert their needs and rights in navigating this evolving terrain. As remote work continues to gain momentum, advocating for fair and equitable practices becomes increasingly crucial. Find Nadia Harris: Linkedin: Nadia Harris Website: RemoteWorkAdvocate.com Follow Workers Rock on Social Media: X: Workers Rock Facebook: Workers Rock Thank you for listening!

This week on the Workers Rock podcast, we meet with upstate New York Assembly Member Harry Bronson, who represents Assembly District 138 which covers Henrietta, Chili, Riga, and a portion of the City of Rochester. Harry was recently appointed the Chair of the Labor Committee in the New York State Assembly. He is a long time workers' rights advocate, and discusses the minimum wage, unemployment insurance, mental health, Daniel's Law, "why union?" and more in this episode! Find Harry through NYS at https://nyassembly.gov/mem/Harry-B-Bronson On Social: https://twitter.com/HarryBBronson Website: www.bronsonforassembly.com

Spanish/English podcast episode Guayaquil, Ecuador (remote interview). Today we meet with Jorge Acosta Orellana, the Coordinator of the Association of Banana Workers in Ecuador (ASTAC), he sheds light on significant issues plaguing the banana industry, particularly concerning pesticide usage and workers' rights violations. Acosta Orellana highlights the widespread use of Mancozeb, a pesticide known for its debilitating effects on both human health and the environment. He emphasizes that this pesticide is commonly employed in banana plantations across Ecuador, despite its harmful impact on workers and consumers alike. The toxicity of Mancozeb poses serious risks to the endocrine system and overall health of those exposed to it, raising concerns about the safety of bananas sold in global supermarkets. Acosta Orellana also draws attention to the pervasive violations of workers' rights within the banana industry. He points to major corporations such as Dole, Noboa (owned by Ecuador's president), Chiquita, and Del Monte as being complicit in exploiting workers and perpetuating unjust labor practices. These violations may include inadequate wages, unsafe working conditions, limited access to healthcare, and the suppression of labor unions. Acosta Orellana emphasizes the global implications of the challenges facing the banana industry in Ecuador. Given that Ecuador is one of the world's largest exporters of bananas, addressing these issues is not only crucial for the well-being of workers and local communities but also for ensuring the sustainability and ethical sourcing of bananas in international markets. Find ASTAC: Twitter: twitter.com/astacecuador Facebook: www.facebook.com/AstacEcuador Follow Workers Rock Twitter: twitter.com/workersrock Spanish translation by: Carlos Aguierre Phone: 585-750-3505 www.Aguirrelanguageservices.com  [email protected]  Hoy nos reunimos con Jorge Acosta Orellana, Coordinador de la Asociación de Trabajadores Bananeros del Ecuador (ASTAC), quien arroja luz sobre problemas importantes que afectan a la industria bananera, particularmente en relación con el uso de pesticidas y las violaciones de los derechos de los trabajadores. Acosta Orellana destaca el uso generalizado de Mancozeb, un pesticida conocido por sus efectos debilitantes tanto para la salud humana como para el medio ambiente. Destaca que este pesticida se emplea comúnmente en las plantaciones bananeras de todo Ecuador, a pesar de su impacto dañino tanto para los trabajadores como para los consumidores. La toxicidad de Mancozeb plantea graves riesgos para el sistema endocrino y la salud general de quienes están expuestos a él, lo que genera preocupación sobre la seguridad de los plátanos que se venden en los supermercados de todo el mundo. Acosta Orellana también llama la atención sobre las violaciones generalizadas de los derechos de los trabajadores dentro de la industria bananera. Señala a grandes corporaciones como Dole, Noboa (propiedad del presidente de Ecuador), Chiquita y Del Monte como cómplices de la explotación de los trabajadores y la perpetuación de prácticas laborales injustas. Estas violaciones pueden incluir salarios inadecuados, condiciones laborales inseguras, acceso limitado a la atención médica y la represión de los sindicatos. Acosta Orellana enfatiza las implicaciones globales de los desafíos que enfrenta la industria bananera en Ecuador. Dado que Ecuador es uno de los mayores exportadores de banano del mundo, abordar estas cuestiones no sólo es crucial para el bienestar de los trabajadores y las comunidades locales, sino también para garantizar la sostenibilidad y el abastecimiento ético de banano en los mercados internacionales. TbknOPTIZZ96fAlZ6b11

Today on Workers Rock Podcast (Nepal) we meet with Andy J. Hall, who is a 20+ year Migrant Workers' Rights Defender. He has been essential in the remediation of over 200 million dollars in recruitment fees to migrant workers who were duped by erroneous recruiters in Southeast Asia. Andy runs a grassroots operation staffed by other workers' rights advocates, many of whom are former migrant workers. They as a group, scope out work conditions, wage and treatment violations, and laser-in on forcing corporations to change their unfair labor practices. You can find Andy J. Hall at: Website: https://andyjhall.org/ LinkedIn: Andy Hall and Migrant Workers, Justice and Rule of Law  Twitter: @Atomicalandy Facebook: Andy Hall  *Subscribe to Workers Rock Podcast :D And, thank you for listening! -Amorette Miller

Today on Workers Rock Podcast we meet Universal Basic Income expert Scott Santens (Washington, D.C) who talks about UBI, it's benefits to society, people and the economy, where it's been successful and some piloting tips for municipalities! Scott Santens of ScottSantens.com is the founder of the Income to Support All Foundation (ITSA Foundation) https://www.itsafoundation.org/ Scott's podcast can be found at Scott Santens UBI Enterprise (wherever you consume your podcasts). Scott Santens on Twitter https://twitter.com/scottsantens

Today on Workers Rock, we interview "Fernando" an Agriculture Worker Leader, who is a part of the Alianza of Agricultural Workers in Upstate, New York. He is originally from Oaxaca, Mexico and emigrated to the United States over twenty years ago, and has worked in the dairy industry ever since. We protect the identity of "Fernando" as he has been disciplined by his employer for speaking to the news in the past. "Fernando" discusses the typical work day and work conditions of dairy and farm work, what his fellow agricultural workers hope for the future, the insider opinions of the recent update to overtime in New York State for farmworkers, and more. He is translated by Carlos Aguirre.

Today on Workers Rock (2024) we meet Jasmine Payne-Patterson of the Economic Policy Institute to discuss the USA Federal Minimum Wage, why it's so low ($7.25), how it's not moved one penny since 2009, what bill is in motion to bring it to $17.00 per hour—and what you can do about it. In this episode we find out what states are allowing even lower pay! Please subscribe to be notified about new episodes.

Today, the Workers Rock Podcast is joined by Dan Maloney and Carmen Guzman, UAW 1097 (Rochester, NY) President and Financial Secretary, respectively.  In this episode, they discuss the weeks' long UAW strike of 2023, why it happened, the outcome, and future of the trade in Rochester and internationally.  We also talk about how electric car production impacts their work, and of course, hydrogen fuel cell technology! Also, find out how you can tell if your car is American made. 

Workers Rock's host Amorette Miller interviews Dr. Dale Whelehan (Dublin, Ireland), who is the CEO of 4 Day Week Global, an organization that helps companies/employers realize the benefits of the four-day-work week—a model that is sweeping the globe. Find out which state in the United States is leading the charge for the work model that will replace the 5-day work week as we know it.

Workers Rock interviews 1199 SEIU leaders Tracey Harrison, Robin White and Elizabeth Davila who talk about their recent one day strike against employer University of Rochester, what they won and what this contract truly means.

Today we interview three transgender advocates about their gender transition at work. Chloe Corcoran she/her/hers (Los Angeles), Patrick Pitoni he/him/his (Rochester, NY) and Penny Sterling she/her/hers (Rochester, NY) share advice on how organizations and society can better serve members of the trans community. They also make predictions on who will win the Super Bowl. Workers Rock is part of the Labor Radio Podcast Network (2024) Hosted by Amorette Miller

Unionized Workers of the Democrat & Chronicle are in the midst of a protracted contract battle with their employer Gannett. Union leaders from the Rochester News Guild (News Guild of New York, CWA), Tracy Schuhmacher (Food & Drink Journalist), Justin Murphy (Education Journalist) & Gary Craig (Public Safety Journalist) join Workers Rock to talk about how this came to be, next steps and how you can get involved.

Welcome to Workers Rock, a podcast that focuses on topics that affect people at work. Hosted by Amorette Miller. (Coming January, 2024)