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OP-ED: What I’m thankful for this season

NNPA NEWSWIRE — I want to give thanks for a human right that shaped our country throughout the 20th century and that made Thanksgiving possible for so many Americans who, like me, didn’t get here by way of the Mayflower. A human right that gives millions the time, the security, the good health and the ability to share this holiday with the people they love. Make that a globally recognized fundamental human right, and one written into our constitution that is known as Collective Bargaining.

Published

7 years ago

November 27, 2019

Oakland Post

(Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA)

By Ray Curry, Secretary-Treasurer, UAW

Thanksgiving is here. Pass the turkey, slow down on the stuffing, put the kids, nieces and nephews at another table so the adults can talk, leave room for the pumpkin pie and leave even more room for, as the word suggests, giving thanks.

So that’s what I want to do here. I want to give thanks for a human right that shaped our country throughout the 20th century and that made Thanksgiving possible for so many Americans who, like me, didn’t get here by way of the Mayflower. A human right that gives millions the time, the security, the good health and the ability to share this holiday with the people they love. Make that a globally recognized fundamental human right, and one written into our constitution that is known as Collective Bargaining.

I know. Collective Bargaining doesn’t sound festive.

But believe me, Collective Bargaining is responsible for a whole lot of the festivities that we enjoy this holiday. Trade unions and the collective voice that they speak to management with, have brought about so much of what we now take for granted. The 40-hour work week, for example, was almost 70 hours until unions rolled their sleeves up and said life also calls for family and R and R time.

Likewise, organized labor, not management, introduced the idea of weekends, paid vacation, sick days and paid holidays such as aforementioned Turkey Day. Union bargainers negotiate what wages will be set at, how safe a workplace environment must be, the healthcare provided you, the retirement you can look forward to. Oh, and the children at the kid’s table? Unions pushed for the child labor laws that put them in chairs asking for second helpings instead of on a bench sewing shoes for countless hours a day.

What’s more, unions and those they bargain for are as diverse as America is. Because of Collective Bargaining, auntie’s mashed potatoes get passed down a long table. According to a recent report from the Economic Policy Institute, an independent, nonprofit think tank that researches the impact of economic trends and policies on working people in the United States, roughly 10.6 million of the 16.3 million workers covered by a union contract are women and/or people of color:

About two-thirds (65.4 %) of workers age 18 to 64 and covered by a union contract are women and/or people of color.
- Almost half (46.3 %) are women.
- More than a third (35.8 %) are black, Hispanic, Asian, or other non-white workers.
Black workers are the most likely to be represented by unions: 14.5 % of black workers age 18 to 64 are covered by a collective bargaining agreement, compared with 12.5 % of white workers and 10.1 % of Hispanic workers.

Union workers are increasingly better educated. More than half (54.5 %) of workers age 18 to 64 and covered by a union contract have an associate degree or more education.

Two out of five (42.4 %) have a bachelor’s degree or more education.

I am proud to say, at my Thanksgiving table the collective bargainers I am personally most thankful for are my brothers and sisters at the UAW.

As I write this during this bargaining season, we have ratified contract agreements with General Dynamics and Ford Motor Company, and took to the streets to get new contracts with Mack Truck and General Motors — sometimes justice and better working conditions means a picket line. I was so proud of my union family who stood strong on that line and showed Mack Truck and GM, once again, the power of our solidarity. We saw a historic outpouring of public support as well for the sacrifices our brothers and sisters made on those picket lines in the cold, rain and heat. Our negotiated contracts protected wages, health care and retirement benefits and job security.

Our institution is steeped in the history of how America’s middle class was fought for and forged with roots going back to the Great Depression.

So, this is the perfect season to be thankful for unions across the land, for my UAW, and for the right of Collective Bargaining. Ours is a land of plenty — Unions work for all to share in its bounty.

Happy Thanksgiving.

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NFL: Week Two Recap | Jalen Hurts did not fold; Caleb Williams exits game with injury

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts found Darius Cooper with nine seconds left for the game winning touchdown as his team beat the Tennessee Titans 24-20 in Nashville. Hurts finished the day 26/37 for 264 yards. He threw for two touchdowns and two interceptions. Prior to the final drive, the Eagles ran 25 plays for 45 […]
The post NFL: Week Two Recap | Jalen Hurts did not fold; Caleb Williams exits game with injury appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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Prior to the final drive, the Eagles ran 25 plays for 45 yards. During the final drive Hurts went 6-8 with 61 passing yards and the touchdown. Titans defensive tackle — and team captain — Jeffery Simmons said this week that the way to defend Jalen Hurts is to make him “play quarterback.”

Hurts said to Simmons after today’s game: “You started that sh**. I had to finish it.”

Running back Saquon Barkley suffered a stinger in the first half but he ultimately finished the game. He had four carries and nine yards and one catch for eleven yards. He will get an MRI for his injury, but admitted to Cameron Wolfe of the NFL Network he was fine.

Caleb Williams leaves game against Vikings with apparent lower-body injury

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was helped off the field with a right leg injury with 7:42 remaining in the fourth quarter. Williams was down, writhing in pain after scrambling to his left. After departing the injury tent, Williams raised his right fist, acknowledging the crowd while expressing his frustration. Testing will commence on Monday to find out more details about his injury.

“We’ll know tomorrow,” Johnson admitted regarding Williams’ injury. “He’s in good spirits. He’s a team player.”

Williams finished the day with 138 passing yards and one interception.

“I’m actually happy it’s nothing with the knee — that was my first inclination,” Johnson said. “But, a hamstring could be pretty damaging as well. So, we’ll see. We’ll see how bad it is tomorrow and we’ll go from there.”

Bryce Young once again dominated the Falcons

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young is 5-1 against the Atlanta Falcons and is undefeated at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Today, Young threw for 287 yards and three touchdowns as he led the Panthers to a 34-3 dismembering of the Atlanta Falcons. Georgia Tech alumnus Darren Waller caught two touchdowns and linebacker Devin Lloyd returned one of his two interceptions for a touchdown.

Cooper Rush started his second straight game for the Falcons and it did not go well. The partisan crowd voiced their displeasure after Rush completed 10/17 passes for 86 yards and two interceptions. Jack Strand entered the game for Rush prompting cheers from the Falcons fans. The rookie threw a pick-six on his first career pass attempt. Strand was the first QB to accomplish that feat since Sam Darnold in 2018 and is the first Falcons player to do that since Brett Favre in 1991. Strand finished the day with 59 passing yards and 16 rushing yards.

According to reports, quarterback Michael Penix, Jr. is expected to make his season debut this Thursday at the Green Bay Packers. His return should help the Falcons. They are the first team since the 2008 Rams to not run any plays in the red zone after the first two games to open a season.

The bright spots for the Falcons today were the Spelman College Jaguarettes performing with the Falcons cheerleaders and Florida A&M’s marching band, The Marching 100, also performed during halftime!

Jayden Daniels gets carted off after apparent arm injury

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He was later ruled out.

Daniels suffered a dislocated elbow to the same arm during week nine of last season against the Washington Commanders, which led to him being shut down for the remainder of the season.

The post NFL: Week Two Recap | Jalen Hurts did not fold; Caleb Williams exits game with injury appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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The Complete Negotiation Framework — Every Stage, Every Tactic, Every Win

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The post The Complete Negotiation Framework — Every Stage, Every Tactic, Every Win appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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Negotiation framework stages, tactics, and winning strategies from AutoNetwork

Roosevelt Gist and Roosevelt deliver the complete vehicle-purchase negotiation framework in Episode 8 of The Color of Our Money Is Green. This episode covers the three foundations of every effective negotiation, the full seven-stage negotiation sequence with exact language for every stage, and five of the most common dealership tactics with the specific response each one requires.
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Why signing preliminary paperwork isn’t the same as signing the final contract
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“The Color of Our Money Is Green: A Buyer’s Guide to What Cars Actually Cost” — stan.store/RGist
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AutoNetwork helps serious car shoppers inspect any new vehicle online before walking into a dealership. I’m Roosevelt — I’ve been reviewing cars and shaping digital car buying and credit union auto leasing since before YouTube car reviews existed.
You’ll find detailed walkaround reviews, POV test drives, and buyer-focused breakdowns covering comfort, space, features, and real-world value.

How to use the channel:
Watch the walkaround of the car you’re considering
Visit AutoNetwork.com for the full review
Check CouponsOffersAndDeals.com for current dealer specials
Walk in already knowing what you want — and what it should cost

AutoNetwork.com
CouponsOffersAndDeals.com
Affiliate disclosure: some links earn a small commission at no cost to you and help support the channel. Insta360 is one of those partners.

The post The Complete Negotiation Framework — Every Stage, Every Tactic, Every Win appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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The post Mazda CX-90 Luxury: Heated Seats & Premium Comfort! #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/EH5A4eQ4ipY