I worked at a factory that had a great union, Teamsters Local 493. However, Jones Apparel Group decided to move our jobs to Bristol, Pennsylvania, to a nonunion facility.
Too cut to the chase I worked in a hospital after that that said we weren’t going to need a union like our competitor because they were going to treat us well. A couple of decades later they laid people off saying, “Don’t work harder, work smarter” to those of us that were left to take up the slack. Then they hired a union buster, froze our pension, one of the incentives that kept me working there for 27 years.
General Dynamics laid off workers clearly to give the stockholders a gift. He was 55 years old and had been there for 30 years.
So, yes, I lived it.
I saw “Roger and Me” what seems now a lifetime ago. I will try to rewatch it. But It might stir up a lot of stuff so, we’ll see.
Let’s just say I now am eligible for Medicaid and other benefits. Not the ending I had anticipated. I will spare you the rest.
I know this is a line from a civil war song but it seems appropriate for Labor Day: “The union(s) forever, hurrah, boys, hurrah!” “United we stand, decided we fall.” People gave their lives fighting for unions. And we let them slip away from us.
Dear Mike, I regret to inform you that -- at least here in the Atlanta metro area -- Turner Classic Movies was removed from the "basic package" by Xfinity at least five years ago. That's right, to get TCM here, you have to pay extra for it. I'm pretty sure we're not the only market where this is true.
Thanks Mike, for being a staunch union supporter, as a former member of the Board of Directors for two different Unions and a negotiator, I can attest, that unions stand between abject poverty and a decent living and protection from predatory employers. There are more of us who do or did work for a living than there are of those predators, if we stick together all of us, including 'them' can have a better, safer, healthier life than we have today.
We watched “Roger and Me” long ago - back when we had to rent a VCR player and the tape from the local video store! Hoping to watch it again this weekend. Thanks, Mike! Proud of your Michigan roots! (Go Blue!)
My dear precious Michael, My dad worked for many, many years in the film industry as a motion picture timer. I used to read the magazine from his union, and I occasionally went with him to mandatory union meetings. My dad NEVER missed a day of work in his entire life! He received one or two weeks' pay for perfect attendance and used that money to buy us Christmas presents. He slipped on the ice going to work one day, worked a full day, and came home and went to a doctor. He had a broken wrist!! He went to work with shingles! My dad always told me to obtain a job with a "union"! I listened to my dad!! I was a teacher for 29 1/2 years and a "case worker" for the county for eight years before retiring. We went on strike during the 4th year I taught. After that I was president and negotiated contracts for about 6 or 7 years. I couldn't believe it, but one night I was followed home from a negotiations session and needed the police to escort me to my apartment 18 miles away from my school! I could go on and on, but I won't. Unions are only as strong as their members, and I am certainly not going to miss your movie tonight! Thank you so much for all you have done!!
Mike, I love that TMC. is premiering the 2 movies Labor Day. However, the majority of us have removed cable from our homes and stream everything. Would you perhaps premiere on a streaming service or through Substack? Please? I never saw Roger and Me, but spent 29 years in the Detroit area! You were such a hero at that time!
Dear Mike, and ALL Rumble-ers: For a HARROWING labor story, please do not miss the lead story on Democracy Now! today -- Saket Soni, a labor organizer, speaks of HUNDREDS of workers imported from India during Katrina -- promised green cards -- and kept imprisoned until they conducted a "Great Escape." Incredible story.
UAPD/AFSCME member here. Yes, it’s great for union members to have health benefits, but true to their colors, labor-health groups such as Kaiser made sure to cheat their workers, the docs and nurses and support staff. Nurses unions have been at the front of calling them on their BS, but docs are generally chicken sh*t. Just say no to Kaiser Permanente in all its forms.
Hi Mike, Thank you for the films yesterday. Our family watched together. We'd seen Roger and Me several times. The Harlan County USA was new to us, but I remember the coal miners' strike in the news when I was a kid. ... Here is something that came across my newsfeed this morning. Thought it might be of interest to you: https://thevaccinereaction.org/2023/09/u-s-suicide-rate-in-2022-highest-ever-recorded-covid-lockdowns-played-a-role/ Yours, Sally Rubin, Oakland, CA
Thank you.
I worked at a factory that had a great union, Teamsters Local 493. However, Jones Apparel Group decided to move our jobs to Bristol, Pennsylvania, to a nonunion facility.
Too cut to the chase I worked in a hospital after that that said we weren’t going to need a union like our competitor because they were going to treat us well. A couple of decades later they laid people off saying, “Don’t work harder, work smarter” to those of us that were left to take up the slack. Then they hired a union buster, froze our pension, one of the incentives that kept me working there for 27 years.
General Dynamics laid off workers clearly to give the stockholders a gift. He was 55 years old and had been there for 30 years.
So, yes, I lived it.
I saw “Roger and Me” what seems now a lifetime ago. I will try to rewatch it. But It might stir up a lot of stuff so, we’ll see.
Let’s just say I now am eligible for Medicaid and other benefits. Not the ending I had anticipated. I will spare you the rest.
I know this is a line from a civil war song but it seems appropriate for Labor Day: “The union(s) forever, hurrah, boys, hurrah!” “United we stand, decided we fall.” People gave their lives fighting for unions. And we let them slip away from us.
Solidarity forever!
Dear Mike, I regret to inform you that -- at least here in the Atlanta metro area -- Turner Classic Movies was removed from the "basic package" by Xfinity at least five years ago. That's right, to get TCM here, you have to pay extra for it. I'm pretty sure we're not the only market where this is true.
Thank you for all that you do.
Yup, here in the PNW (WA state) Xfinity says 'No, little rabbit, for a mere $209/month you don't get to watch classic movies'. 😞
Same in Michigan... Craptastic, er, I mean Comcast, wants more than $200/month to let us watch TCM. :/
I could not find TCM here in Los Angeles where Spectrum is my provider.
Thanks Mike, for being a staunch union supporter, as a former member of the Board of Directors for two different Unions and a negotiator, I can attest, that unions stand between abject poverty and a decent living and protection from predatory employers. There are more of us who do or did work for a living than there are of those predators, if we stick together all of us, including 'them' can have a better, safer, healthier life than we have today.
Thank you hard working Americans, I admire you. Have a great weekend.
Thank you Michael for being so up to.date and keeping in.touch with your fans .
We watched “Roger and Me” long ago - back when we had to rent a VCR player and the tape from the local video store! Hoping to watch it again this weekend. Thanks, Mike! Proud of your Michigan roots! (Go Blue!)
My dear precious Michael, My dad worked for many, many years in the film industry as a motion picture timer. I used to read the magazine from his union, and I occasionally went with him to mandatory union meetings. My dad NEVER missed a day of work in his entire life! He received one or two weeks' pay for perfect attendance and used that money to buy us Christmas presents. He slipped on the ice going to work one day, worked a full day, and came home and went to a doctor. He had a broken wrist!! He went to work with shingles! My dad always told me to obtain a job with a "union"! I listened to my dad!! I was a teacher for 29 1/2 years and a "case worker" for the county for eight years before retiring. We went on strike during the 4th year I taught. After that I was president and negotiated contracts for about 6 or 7 years. I couldn't believe it, but one night I was followed home from a negotiations session and needed the police to escort me to my apartment 18 miles away from my school! I could go on and on, but I won't. Unions are only as strong as their members, and I am certainly not going to miss your movie tonight! Thank you so much for all you have done!!
Mike, I love that TMC. is premiering the 2 movies Labor Day. However, the majority of us have removed cable from our homes and stream everything. Would you perhaps premiere on a streaming service or through Substack? Please? I never saw Roger and Me, but spent 29 years in the Detroit area! You were such a hero at that time!
I’m one of those non-cable folks. Yeah, if you can stream it, it would be wonderful.
Dear Mike, and ALL Rumble-ers: For a HARROWING labor story, please do not miss the lead story on Democracy Now! today -- Saket Soni, a labor organizer, speaks of HUNDREDS of workers imported from India during Katrina -- promised green cards -- and kept imprisoned until they conducted a "Great Escape." Incredible story.
UAPD/AFSCME member here. Yes, it’s great for union members to have health benefits, but true to their colors, labor-health groups such as Kaiser made sure to cheat their workers, the docs and nurses and support staff. Nurses unions have been at the front of calling them on their BS, but docs are generally chicken sh*t. Just say no to Kaiser Permanente in all its forms.
I’ve already set it to record.
You are my zen in a world 🌎 I no longer understand. I used to Labour, until I got Republican MFed in Scottsdale Arizona.
Harlan Co. documentary was incredibly well made. My family was and still remains coal miners in Harlan.
Excellent could not agree more
Omg the women in Harlan County, USA were SO impressive. Just awesome.
Hi Mike, Thank you for the films yesterday. Our family watched together. We'd seen Roger and Me several times. The Harlan County USA was new to us, but I remember the coal miners' strike in the news when I was a kid. ... Here is something that came across my newsfeed this morning. Thought it might be of interest to you: https://thevaccinereaction.org/2023/09/u-s-suicide-rate-in-2022-highest-ever-recorded-covid-lockdowns-played-a-role/ Yours, Sally Rubin, Oakland, CA