Workers Rock Workers Rock

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

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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



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X: Workers Rock

Facebook: Workers Rock





Thank you for listening!


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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


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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 

Support@aguirrelanguageservices.com 

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.




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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 





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And, thank you for listening! -Amorette Miller


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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


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