Jewish Labor Committee

* How can workers defend themselves today in their workplace?
* What protections does joining a union provide?
* How do workers gain the opportunity to join unions?

Adam Obernauer and Debbie Goldman explored these issues in a lively discussion of how working people are organizing to improve their lives on and off the job.
Our co-sponsor, Uri L'Tzedek, recorded this program - you can watch it on

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/13Bh6MpmlUc1tGbEj0M79n?si=0ccb8a9a3ca4416b
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/work-workers-workers-rights-and-unions-a-joint/id1603706369?i=1000669853602
YouTube: https://youtu.be/dUkXVMndCY8

After introductions by JLC President Stuart Appelbaum and Uri L'Tzedek President Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz. Adam Obernauer, organizing director for the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, a union organizer for about 12 years who has been involved in organizing major retail chains, such as Zara, as well as the Guitar Center, independent bookstores, and, more recently REI and Barnes and Noble -- and has been in the fight to organize workers at Amazon, spoke with Debbie Goldman, former Research Director and Telecommunications Policy Director for the Communications Workers of America (CWA); Ms Goldman is the author of the just-published book, "Disconnected: Call Center Workers Fight for Good Jobs in the Digital Age" (University of Illinois Press, 2024).

Posted by Arieh Lebowitz at 02:01 PM | Permalink

Photograph by Andrew Tilson

September 7th, 2024 - New York, NY: Notwithstanding the chance of rain - and it did come down for moments during the parade - the United Hebrew Trades-New York Jewish Labor Committee contingent marched up Fifth Avenue this morning, near the head of the procession. Among the JLC marchers were members of the Civil Service Technical Guild Local 375, District Council 37, AFSCME, the Organization of Staff Analysts, NYC's United Federation of Teachers, and representation from The Forward Association and the Manhattan Jewish Historical Initiative.

And, of course, as every year, additional JLC members and supporters at the parade were marching with their union locals or other groups, such as the New York Labor History Association.

Posted by Arieh Lebowitz at 03:13 PM | Permalink

New York, NY – September 1, 2024: The Jewish Labor Committee is outraged and heartbroken at the news of the murdered Israeli and American hostages, killed before they could be brought home to Israel.

Today’s catastrophic state of affairs in the region in the wake of Hamas’s terrorist attack on October 7th must not continue.

We support the call by the Histadrut, Israel’s General Federation of Labor, for a General Strike, to start tomorrow – Monday – over the failure of the Netanyahu Government to secure the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza seized on October 7th.

JLC President Stuart Appelbaum said “we wholeheartedly agree with Histadrut's head, Arnon Bar-David, that bringing the hostages home must be the government’s priority.

“The lack of real progress in returning the hostages to Israel has been tearing the fabric of Israeli society apart,” continued Appelbaum.

“It’s long past time for the suffering of the people to end, in both Gaza and Israel.”

“A change in direction is imperative; and Prime Minister Netanyahu must take much of the responsibility.”

“We join with the Histadrut in calling on Netanyahu to immediately conclude negotiations to secure the release of the hostages in Gaza and a cease-fire, and to allow the international community to bring in the humanitarian aid so needed by the people in Gaza.”

Posted by Arieh Lebowitz at 04:29 PM | Permalink