Workers Rock Workers Rock

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/




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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 


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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



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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.



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On Twitter/X

Facebook



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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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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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