The last few years have seen a wave of labor organizing as it becomes more and more clear to workers that what they do is not expendable, but actually the heart of every business. From walkouts to unionization, workers everywhere, from Starbucks to Amazon to your local coffee shop have come together to build and exercise their power. In this episode we explore the issues that led people to organize their workplaces, the ins and outs and ups and downs of the process, and the backlash.

On the forefront of the next labor revolution, we visit a coffee shop in Maine called Little Dog whose staff starts a union. Then we talk to Robert Chala from the UCLA Labor Center about the rise in unionization efforts among service workers and the social and cultural ethos in a post lockdown country that have led to this new wave of the labor movement.

Learn more about the story and find the transcript on radioproject.org. [https://www.radioproject.org/2024/01/the-rise-of-the-new-labor-movement]

Making Contact [https://radioproject.org/] is an award-winning, nationally syndicated radio show and podcast featuring narrative storytelling and thought-provoking interviews. We cover the most urgent issues of our time and the people on the ground building a more just world. 

EPISODE FEATURES: Robert Chlala, an Assistant Professor, CSU Long Beach & Visiting Researcher at UCLA Labor Center and Jessica Czarnecki, Sydney, Sophie, and Kira, all workers at Little Dog Cafe. 

MAKING CONTACT: This episode is hosted by Salima Hamirani with reporting by Jules Bradley. It is produced by Anita Johnson, Lucy Kang, Salima Hamirani, and Amy Gastelum. Our executive director is Jina Chung. 

MUSIC:  This episode includes “Industrial Zone” by Bio Unit, “Stay Quiet” by Monplaisir, “Bleu” by Komiku, “Leap Second” by Doctor Turtle, and “Which Side Are You On” by Pete Seeger

Learn More: 
UCLA Labor Center: https://www.labor.ucla.edu/
Little Dog Employees Lawsuit: https://bowdoinorient.com/2023/09/15/former-little-dog-employees-pursue-legal-action/
Owner Closes Shop: https://www.pressherald.com/2023/06/26/brunswick-coffee-shop-strike-ends-with-change-in-ownership-new-name/

Making Contact

The Rise of the New Labor Movement

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Saeglopur - Sigur Ros (SOOHAN's Early Morning Remix)

11 million. That's the estimated number of people living in the U-S who are undocumented. During his first weeks in office President Donald Trump signed orders to build a border wall, ban travel from countries with largely Muslim populations, and deny federal funds to sanctuary cities and states. In this show we'll look to previous administrations to see how they treated people who were undocumented, and how immigrant movements of the past responded.

11 Million Undocumented: A Look at Sanctuary and Immigration Policy in the Trump Era

PICK YA FACE UP (Courtnee Roze The Culture)

Vocals by Christopher Nicholas
Composition/Piano by JooWan Kim
Engineered by Jeremy Goody
Recorded @ MegaSonic Sound

Agitato

At this time of year, we tend to indulge our desire to order-in. In New York City, all it takes is a few taps on your phone and dinner will be on its way to your doorstep. But the ease of this process can erase the effort behind it. In this segment Dylan Heuer reports on the challenging conditions delivery workers are facing in NYC, from healthcare to police crackdowns on electric bikes.

This story was originally featured on Meat + Three on Heritage Radio Network. Listen to the full episode here: https://heritageradionetwork.org/podcast/dead-of-winter/

The Real Cost of Ordering In: Challenging Conditions for Delivery Workers This Winter

This is the Global Soul Music show with Ian Friday from April 26th, 2019.  Play Loudly!!

GSM show with Ian Friday 4-26-19 Part 1

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In honor of International Anti-Street Harassment Week, an event hosted by Catcalls of NYC encouraged New Yorkers to share their experiences with catcalling. Students, in particular, arrived eager to speak out, expressing a strong desire to eliminate harassment on the streets and in their schools. 

This story was originally featured on WBAI Evening News.

Chalk Back!: NYC Students Speak Out Against Street Harassment

New York's status as a sanctuary city has not kept Immigration and Custom Enforcement agents out of the five boroughs. As ICE raids continue, activists are making longer term plans to provide sanctuary. One institution using their privilege to protect immigrants, is synagogues. 

This story was originally featured on WBAI Evening News.

A map indicating houses of worship involved with the New Sanctuary Coalition.

The Sanctuary symbol hangs in the front window at Congregation Beit Simchat Torah. 

The lobby of Congregation Beit Simchat Torah displays pride flags and posters sponsored by T'ruah.

Music: Scott Holmes, Together We Stand, Free Music Archive

In the Face of ICE Raids, Synagogues Serve as Place of Sanctuary

Jewish people across the country took to the streets on Sunday to protest the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In New York, protesters shut down the Amazon Book Store in Midtown Manhattan because of the company’s strong ties to ICE. This act of civil disobedience resulted in the arrest of nearly 50 people. Dylan Heuer reports on momentum behind this local action. 

This story was originally featured on WBAI Evening News Monday August 13, 2019.

#JewsAgainstIce Shutdown Amazon Books on Day of Mourning

A dancehall/rap/hip hop/pop beat, purchase license for this via Beatstars:https://www.beatstars.com/beat/coastline-reading-3198606

Coastline Reading

Making Contact is an award-winning, nationally syndicated radio show and podcast featuring narrative storytelling and thought-provoking interviews. We cover the most urgent issues of our time and the people on the ground building a more just world.

The Rise of the New Labor Movement

Making Contact

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