The Indypendent's Steven Wishnia updates us on the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) strike. He’s been speaking with nurses about their working conditions and demands. Over seven thousand nurses at four private hospitals are on strike. “Bosses have pushed us to strike by refusing to seriously consider our proposals to address the desperate crisis of unsafe staffing that harms our patients,” says the union.

Yesterday City Council’s labor committee held a public hearing on a measure supported by the Adams administration that would make it possible for the City to transfer 250,000 retired city workers from their current medicare health coverage to privately-run Medicare Advantage. The retirees have put up a fierce battle for over a year. City council is tentatively scheduled to vote on the measure on Jan. 19. We speak with Barbara Karess, adjunct professor at Baruch College in manhattan and a proud member of professional Professional Staff Congres CUNY.

Lastly, we speak with callers live on the air on WBAI 99.5 FM. Callers share their views on the nurses’ strike and how municipal union leaders have set up retired municipal employees to lose medicare benefits.

The Indypendent News Hour on WBAI-99.5 FM // 10 Jan. '22

Mula sa Sister Stella L movie
Titik ni Pete Lacaba

Sangandaan
Walang kumplikasyon
Ang buhay mo noon
Kalooban mo'y panatag
Kalangitan ay maliwanag
Ang daan ay tuwid at patag
Sa buhay mo noon

Ngunit bawat pusong naglalakbay
Dumarating sa sangandaan
Ngayong narito ka
Kailangang magpasya
Aling landas ang susundin ng puso?

Saan ka liligaya?
Saan mabibigo?
Saan ka tutungo?

Kay daling sumunod
Sa hangin at agos
Aasa ka na ang dalangin
Gagabay sa iyong damdamin
Ngunit saan ka dadalhin
Ng hangin at agos?

Alam mong bawat pusong nagmamahal
Dumarating sa sangandaan
Ngayong narito ka
Kailangang magpasya
Aling landas ang susundin ng puso?
Saan ka liligaya?
Saan mabibigo?
Saan ka tutungo?

Sangandaan

Produced for an introductory audio class, this piece uses audio from President Biden's speech at the United Auto Workers picket line in October, 2023. The assignment was to create a "wrap," using only audio from his speech to make a one minute piece summing up his visit and its political implications. The host intro, which contextualizes the wrap, is not included in this piece but is pasted below: 

President Biden made history on Tuesday, when he joined the United Auto Workers union on the picket line in Michigan. Reporter Sasha Cohen has more from Biden’s visit.

President Biden Visits UAW Picket Line

Based on the Daimler Truck workers chanting "tick tock" as their contract deadline approached, and the Boeing strike of 33,000 machinists who voted down the first contract offer by 95%. labornotes Heavy, mechanical beat mimics factory sounds. Verses tell stories of workers forced to work weekends despite record profits, automation threatening jobs, executives making 300 times what workers earn. Chorus is the relentless "tick tock" chant building in intensity. References the ILA dockworkers' first strike since 1977, the 53-day Boeing action, AT&T's 36-day strike. Bridge features actual union slogans: "On strike, shut 'em down, this is a union town!" Celebrates the 271,500 workers who struck in 2024 Economic Policy Institute and the 77% of young workers who approve of unions.

Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock

The Indypendent News Hour airs Tuesdays 5–6 p.m. on WBAI-99.5 FM. Check out our archives to listen to past interviews with movement organizers, authors, elected officials and others fighting for justice in New York City and beyond.

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