March 25, 2015

Future Blast Zones? How Crude-By-Rail Puts U.S. Communities At Risk

The transport of petroleum via rail is now a well-known and unwelcome sight in many other U.S. communities. Its long distance rail transport has resulted in five major train fires and explosions in the last 16 months alone. Richmond, California began life more than a century ago as a sleepy little railroad town. It was the second place on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay where a transcontinental rail line connected with ferries, to transport freight and passengers to San Francisco. Now a diverse industrial city of 100,000, Richmond is still crisscrossed with tracks, both main lines and shorter ones, serving its deep-water port, huge Chevron oil refinery, and other local businesses.

Trains just arriving or being readied for their next trip, move in and out of a sprawling Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) rail yard located right next to the oldest part of town. Some train formations are more than 100 cars long. The traffic stalls they create on nearby streets and related use of loud horns, both day and night, have long been a source of neighborhood complaints. Persistent city hall pressure has succeeded in cutting horn blasts by about 1,000 a day, through the creation of several dozen much appreciated “quiet zones.” No other municipality in California has established so many, but only after many years of wrestling with the industry.

http://www.telesurtv.net/english/opinion/Future-Blast-Zones-How-Crude-By-Rail-Puts-U.S.-Communities-At-Risk-20150323-0007.html

March 25, 2015

NLRB THROWS OUT CNN’S JOINT EMPLOYER CHALLENGE

Washington, D.C. – The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has rejected CNN’s reconsideration motion, which challenged the ruling that the cable news giant and a unionized subcontractor Team Video Services (TVS) were joint employers.

At issue is last September’s NLRB decision ordering CNN to compensate more than 300 employees who lost jobs and wages following the company’s phony reorganization to get rid of NABET-CWA-represented workers in Washington, D.C., and New York City. The NLRB had found that CNN and TVS were joint employers and CNN violated U.S. labor law by terminating its contracting relationship with TVS in December 2003.

In the order issued on Friday, a three-member panel said CNN’s reconsideration bid, “failed to raise any substantial argument

Read more at: http://www.cwa-union.org/news/entry/nlrb_throws_out_cnns_joint_employer_challenge

March 25, 2015

Boeing’s anti-union campaign hits workers where they eat

A trio of table toppers that have shown up in the Boeing Co.’s employee cafeteria are enough to give any supporter of organized labor a case of indigestion.

Boeing placed the table-toppers — which are usually used by restaurants to promote menu items — in the cafeteria of its North Charleston campus to get its anti-union message across to employees. The International Association of Machinists last week filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board to hold a union election for more than 2,400 eligible workers at the facility. A vote has been scheduled for April 22.

Meanwhile, the president of IAM Lodge No. 751, which represents Boeing workers in Washington state, said in a statement that he is hopeful his North Charleston counterparts will vote in favor of the IAM.

http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20150324/PC05/150329659

March 25, 2015

March 25 1894 Coxey's Army Protest March

Coxey's Army was a protest march by unemployed workers from the United States, led by Ohio businessman Jacob Coxey. They marched on Washington D.C. in 1894, the second year of a four-year economic depression that was the worst in United States history to that time. Officially named the Army of the Commonwealth in Christ, its nickname came from its leader and was more enduring. It was the first significant popular protest march on Washington, and the expression "Enough food to feed Coxey's Army" originates from this march.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coxey%27s_Army

March 25, 2015

March 25 1947 Centralia mine disaster

In the Centralia mine disaster on March 25, 1947, the Centralia No. 5 coal mine exploded near the town of Centralia, Illinois, killing 111 people. The Mine Safety and Health Administration of the United States Department of Labor reported the explosion was caused when an underburdened shot or blown-out shot ignited coal dust. At the time of the explosion, 142 men were in the mine; 65 were killed by burns and other injuries and 45 were killed by afterdamp. Eight men were rescued, but one died from the effects of afterdamp. Only 31 miners escaped.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1947_Centralia_mine_disaster

March 25, 2015

March 25, 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in Manhattan, New York City on March 25, 1911 was the deadliest industrial disaster in the history of the city, and one of the deadliest in U.S. history. The fire caused the deaths of 146 garment workers – 123 women and 23 men [1] – who died from the fire, smoke inhalation, or falling or jumping to their deaths. Most of the victims were recent Jewish and Italian immigrant women aged 16 to 23;[2][3][4] of the victims whose ages are known, the oldest victim was Providenza Panno at 43, and the youngest were 14-year-olds Kate Leone and "Sara" Rosaria Maltese.[5]

Because the owners had locked the doors to the stairwells and exits, a common practice used to prevent workers from taking unauthorized breaks and pilferage,[6] many of the workers who could not escape the burning building jumped from the eighth, ninth, and tenth floors to the streets below. The fire led to legislation requiring improved factory safety standards and helped spur the growth of the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union, which fought for better working conditions for sweatshop workers.

The factory was located in the Asch Building, at 23–29 Washington Place in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan, now known as the Brown Building and part of New York University. The building has been designated a National Historic Landmark and a New York City landmark.[7]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triangle_Shirtwaist_Factory_fire

March 25, 2015

Daily Holidays - March 25

National Pecan Day Pecan Day is a day to celebrate and go nuts over pecans. The precise origins of this holiday are unclear, but the history of pecans can be traced all the way back to 16th century precolonial America. Pecan trees are said to be the only nut trees native to North America. This nutty day is all about enjoying this delicious nut, which is known for its light crunch and buttery flavor.
https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/pecan-day/


International Day of Remembrance of The Victims of Slavery and The Transatlantic Slave Trade "This year’s Day of Remembrance pays particular tribute to the many women who suffered and died during the slave trade. ... Women slaves played a key role in maintaining the dignity of their communities. Too often their leadership and brave resistance have been underestimated or forgotten."

Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General

For over 400 years, more than 15 million men, women and children were the victims of the tragic transatlantic slave trade, one of the darkest chapters in human history.

Every year on 25 March, the International Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade offers the opportunity to honour and remember those who suffered and died at the hands of the brutal slavery system. The International Day also aims at raising awareness about the dangers of racism and prejudice today.

In order to more permanently honour the victims, a memorial will be erected at United Nations Headquarters in New York. The winning design for the memorial, The Ark of Return Video by Rodney Leon, an American architect of Haitian descent, was selected through an international competition and announced in September 2013. http://www.un.org/en/events/slaveryremembranceday/

Manatee Appreciation Day Manatees are aquatic mammals known for their immense size and jowly appearance. Manatees might not make the list of cutest animals, but enough manatee enthusiasts exist for there to be a Manatee Appreciation Day.

Manatee Appreciation Day is devoted to raising awareness about these quirky creatures. Unfortunately, manatees are endangered. Although hunting manatees is usually illegal, they continue to be poached for their meat and hide. Also, manatees are often fatally injured in collisions with boats. It is important to increase manatee awareness so that these fascinating animals will continue to exist in the future. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/manatee-appreciation-day/

National Medal of Honor Day The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States. Generally presented to its recipient by the President of the United States of America in the name of Congress. http://www.cmohs.org

Tolkien Reading Day The theme for Tolkien Reading Day 2015 is friendship in Tolkien’s works. What will you be reading?

What is Tolkien Reading Day?
Tolkien Reading Day is held on the 25th of March each year.

It has been organised by the Tolkien Society since 2003 to encourage fans to celebrate and promote the life and works of J.R.R. Tolkien by reading favourite passages. We particularly encourage schools, museums and libraries to host their own Tolkien Reading Day events.

The theme of friendship was chosen for this year’s Reading Day to help celebrate the deep friendships that Tolkien developed in his own life and in his work. It is also on this date, 25 March, that Frodo and Sam’s friendship triumphed in Mordor with the destruction of the One Ring. http://www.tolkiensociety.org/events/tolkien-reading-day-2015/

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/march25.html

March 24, 2015

Daily Holidays - March 24

National Chocolate Covered Raisins Day Chocolate Covered Raisins Day is a great excuse for a treat! Chocolate covered raisins are a great addition to a trail mix pack, or can make a convenient desk-side snack at work! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/chocolate-covered-raisins-day/

International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations
 and for Dignity of Victims On 21 December 2010, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 24 March as the International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims.

The purpose of the Day is to:

Honour the memory of victims of gross and systematic human rights violations and promote the importance of the right to truth and justice;
Pay tribute to those who have devoted their lives to, and lost their lives in, the struggle to promote and protect human rights for all;
Recognize, in particular, the important work and values of Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero, of El Salvador, who was assasinated on 24 March 1980, after denouncing violations of the human rights of the most vulnerable populations and defending the principles of protecting lives, promoting human dignity and opposition to all forms of violence. http://www.un.org/en/events/righttotruthday/

World Tuberculosis Day On World TB Day, 24 March, WHO is calling for new commitments and new action in the global fight against tuberculosis – one of the world’s top infectious killers.

There has been tremendous progress in recent years, and the world is on track to meet the Millennium Development Goal of reversing the spread of TB by 2015. But this is not enough. In 2013, 9 million people fell ill with TB and 1.5 million died. http://www.who.int/campaigns/tb-day/2015/event/en/


http://www.famousbirthdays.com/march24.html

March 23, 2015

Daily Holidays - March 23

National Chip and Dip Day National Chip And Dip Day, an annual favorite food holiday, is celebrated every March 23rd. It celebrates a perfect combination that is loved by many across the country. Chips and dip are a popular party dish as it is not only favored by most but also quick and easy to prepare.

Just a few days earlier on March 14th we celebrated National Potato Chip Day and now we add a partner, the dip. People have been dipping their food for centuries. There are hummus-like recipes dating back to the 13th century. These are some of the first “dip” recipes that were found.

Potato chips are not the only chips that you can celebrate with. There are tortilla chips, corn chips, pretzel chips and even popcorn chips to name a few. After you have chosen your chips, there are dozens of dips to partner them with. One of your favorite dip choices may be salsa, sour cream, taco, french onion, guacamole, cheese, bean, spinach, shrimp, crab, ranch or one from the list that goes on and on.

To celebrate National Chip and Dip Day, invite some family and friends over and have a chip and dip party tonight! http://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-chip-and-dip-day-march-23/

National Melba Toast Day March 23rd celebrates Melba Toast Day, a food holiday. Melba toast is a dry, crisp and thinly sliced toast. It is sometimes served with salad or soup or may be eaten plain or with a topping.

Melba toast was named after Dame Nellie Melba, the stage name of the Australian opera singer, Helen Porter Mitchell. It is believed that chef Auguste Escoffier created it for Ms. Melba, in 1897, when she became ill. The newly created Melba toast was eaten as a staple in her diet. http://nationaldaycalendar.com/2015/03/22/march-23-2015-national-chip-and-dip-day-national-puppy-day-national-melba-toast-day-national-near-miss-day/

National Puppy Day Celebrated each year on March 23rd is National Puppy Day. National Puppy Day will be celebrated on the Friday or Monday closest to March 23rd if that day falls on a weekend. This day was created to celebrate the magic and unconditional love that puppies bring to our lives. National Puppy Day is also a day to bring awareness to the need for care and homes of orphaned puppies as well as to educate people about the horrors of puppy mills across the country.

For more information on National Puppy Day: http://www.nationalpuppyday.com/

Near Miss Day A huge asteroid (4581 Asclepius) nearly hit the earth in 1989. This day is commemorated annually on March 23rd as people across the nation celebrate National Near Miss Day.

On March 22-23, 1989, a mountain sized asteroid came within 500,000 miles of colliding with the earth. ”On the cosmic scale of things, that was a close call,” said Dr. Henry Holt. Geophysicists estimate that collision with Asclepius would release energy comparable to the explosion of a 600 megaton atomic bomb.” On March 31, 1989, nine days after its closest approach to Earth, the asteroid was discovered. http://nationaldaycalendar.com/2015/03/22/march-23-2015-national-chip-and-dip-day-national-puppy-day-national-melba-toast-day-national-near-miss-day/

OK Day https://www.facebook.com/OKDayMarch23

World Meteorological Day http://www.wmo.int/worldmetday/

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/march23.html

March 22, 2015

Daily Holidays - March 22

World Water Day A drop of water is flexible. A drop of water is powerful. A drop of water is in demand.

Water is at the core of sustainable development. Water resources, and the range of services they provide, underpin poverty reduction, economic growth and environmental sustainability. From food and energy security to human and environmental health, water contributes to improvements in social well-being and inclusive growth, affecting the livelihoods of billions. http://www.un.org/en/events/waterday/

International Goof-off Day A chance to step back from the rigours and pressures of every-day life, Goof Off Day encourages you to take some time to be silly, waste an hour or two, and to do something a bit different! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/goof-off-day/

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/march22.html