September 7, 2016

Claudia’s Law Aimed At Ending Inhumane Workloads, Harassment Of Long Beach Hotel Workers

Faced with monumental workloads and frequent sexual harassment in the workplace, hotel workers and their allies in Long Beach, California are pushing for a measure which would address several workplace issues in the city’s booming hotel industry. Activists launched a campaign this week to advance the measure, dubbed “Claudia’s Law”. Tonia Reyes Uranga is on the steering-committee of the Coalition for Good Jobs and Healthy Community:

[Tonia Reyes Uranga]: “Claudia Sanchez was a dish washer at the Renaissance Hotel. She was, I think, at that time, only nineteen years old. After a fourteen-hour shift, she collapsed. She had some heavy workloads all through her time at the Renaissance and…she was in a coma, she was rushed to the hospital…and consequently she’s going to need some assistance and support for the rest of her life.”

Long Beach is a tourist city located between Disneyland and Downtown Los Angeles. Reyes Uranga says the hotel industry has been growing rapidly over the last sixteen years while the number of workers per hotel has dropped:

[Tonia Reyes Uranga]: “Really what that means is we have workers who are having increased workloads, leaving them exhausted and often results in them having to work through their legal breaks in order to meet their room quotas. Especially the housekeepers, who sometimes have to work overtime or come in early just to meet those quotas. We have this boom in hotels, but yet it’s on the backs of the workers, and it’s just leaving them exhausted and often times, in the case of Claudia, it’s leaving them affected for the rest of their lives. You know, they’re breaking them. They’re breaking them, and they need support.”

http://www.laborradio.org/index.cfm?zone=/unionactive/view_article.cfm&HomeID=616963&page=In2DDepth20Reports

September 7, 2016

Lipton Workers Vote to Unionize: “Everyone just got tired of it”

Juanita Hart has worked as an operator at the Lipton Tea manufacturing plant in Suffolk, Virginia, for 25 years. She’s seen a lot of change in that time, but nothing like what happened last month.

“I was crying like I had won the lottery,” Hart told In These Times. I was so glad and I was so happy because I’ve been told for all this time, all these years, that it would never happen. And when it happened, I had so much joy that all I could do (was) cry.”

She was talking about workers’ decision to join a union.

They voted, 108-79, in an election held by the National Labor Relations Board on August 26. More than 200 workers at the plant, which makes nearly all of the Lipton Tea sold in North America, will now be represented by United Food and Commercial Workers Local 400.

http://inthesetimes.com/working/entry/19429/lipton_workers_vote_to_unionize_everyone_just_got_tired_of_it

September 7, 2016

Daily Holidays September 7

Superhuman Day For years those who faced the challenges of disability in all its forms dealt with a stigma that was forced on them, that they were somehow less capable of doing amazing and, dare we say it, Superhuman things. Superhuman Day celebrates and brings awareness to the thousands of athletes, musicians, artists, and everyday people who have overcome what was once perceived as a crippling limitation and gone on to prove that “Yes I Can” https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/superhuman-day/

Buy A Book Day TV and movies have taken over our lives these days. That’s not to say that watching certain TV shows or movies is a waste of our time—there are many well-made, thought-provoking things to be watched. And of course, thanks to Kindle, carrying even multiple books around at the same time has become infinitely easier and more practical. Still, however, it is a bit sad how the the old-fashioned art of reading a regular paper book seems to be slowly fading away into the past. It sometimes seems as though children today do not even know the scent of an old book, a book that has touched the lives of so many, and how wonderful it can be to settle down on the couch with such a book on a rainy day and disappear into the world it creates. Buy a Book Day was created for the purpose of reminding people how much joy simple black print on a white background can bring when it awakens your imagination and transports you far away. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/buy-a-book-day/

Salami Day Salami is cured, fermented and air-dried sausage, popular in Italy and the mediterranean. Salami Day encourages you to explore the world of salami by trying new and adventurous types of salami, and enjoying salami with friends at salami-themed parties. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/salami-day/

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/september7.html

September 6, 2016

Daily Holidays September 6

Read A Book Day The first celebration of Read a Book Day was around the end of the first decade of the 2000’s and was almost certainly the idea of a librarian, probably one who was encouraging youngsters to read a book. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/read-a-book-day/

Fight Procrastination Day Procrastination can really be the bane of our existence, with another day coming around the corner, there’s no real reason that we can’t put it off till tomorrow is there? Of course not, and tomorrow has another tomorrow, so let’s do it again! It is by this way of thinking that absolutely nothing gets done, and we know good and well that procrastination is us out to get ourselves. But what can we do? Fight Procrastination Day reminds us that it’s up to us to beat this monster, and only we can decide to get up and get done today what was supposed to be done. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/fight-procrastination-day/

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/september6.html

September 5, 2016

Daily Holidays September 5

Labor Day Labor Day in the United States is a public holiday celebrated on the first Monday in September. It honors the American labor movement and the contributions that workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of the country. It is the Monday of the long weekend known as Labor Day Weekend and it is considered the unofficial end of summer. The holiday is also a federal holiday. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labor_Day

National Cheese Pizza Day Although we are all fond of piling toppings onto our favourite pizzas, the humble cheese pizza is celebrated with Cheese Pizza Day. It is estimated that there are more than 70,000 pizzerias across the United States, demonstrating how pizza has been adopted into the national psyche. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/cheese-pizza-day/

Be Late For Something Day Are you one of those people who’s incredibly punctual? Are you enslaved to the clock and counting every minute? Do you consider letting yourself have one moment of leisure when you’re supposed to be somewhere something tantamount to a grievous sin? What’s wrong with you? You don’t need to be on time everywhere you go, you need to stop and smell the roses once in a while and realize it’s all just one long rush to the grave if you don’t take some time for yourself. Be Late For Something Day reminds us that sometimes, just sometimes, it’s ok to let things slide and not quite be on time. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/be-late-for-something-day/

International Day of Charity Every year, charities all over the world help to save and improve people’s lives, fighting disease, protecting children, and giving hope to many thousands of people. To honour the important work that these many charities do, in 2012 the United Nations decided to nominate an annual International Day of Charity as an official day of recognition and celebration. The reason the date was chosen is because it is the anniversary of the death of Mother Teresa of Calcutta. This choice commemorates the tireless work that Mother Teresa did by devoting her whole life to charity work. To celebrate this special day every year, the work of different charities all over the word is publicised and celebrated, and people are encouraged to donate money and time, to carry out charitable works, and also to educate people and raise awareness about the many charitable issues worldwide. Education and giving are the essence of this special day. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/international-day-of-charity/

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/september5.html

September 4, 2016

Daily Holidays September 4

Pet Rock Day Launched in the 1970s by advertising executive Gary Dahl, the pet rock was an antithesis to those living pets in need of regular care. It did, however, come with a mean “attack” mode. For a mere $3.95 people could adopt their very own rock, supplied on a bed of hay in an well-ventilated box. Like all things, pet rocks are more expensive these days, but you could always catch a wild one for free – just remember that undomesticated rocks may be more difficult to handle… https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/pet-rock-day/

National Wildlife Day Every year we lose numerous species to the growth and expansion of human holdings, but through the effort of zoos, sanctuaries, and preservation organizations that rate is being slowed. These groups do amazing work, educating and bringing awareness to people everywhere, all while preserving these precious treasures from Mother Nature. Wildlife Day reminds us that there are creatures out there that cannot speak for themselves, so we have to stand up and be a voice for them. The animals will thank you for it, as will the generations to come who will still be able to enjoy them! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/wildlife-day/

Newspaper Carrier Day Ever since the invention of the newspaper, there have been newspaper carriers. Those intrepid souls who bring out the latest hot sheet carrying the most recent news have used all sorts of methods to carry out their duties and bring us the best of stories. Whether they were standing on the street corner with a satchel or loading up their trusty Shetland pony with bags full of the daily rag, Newspaper Carrier Day holds them in the highest regard and shares their dedication with the world. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/newspaper-carrier-day/

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/september4.html

September 3, 2016

Daily Holidays September 3

National Welsh Rarebit Day Famous all over Europe, Welsh Rarebit is a distant cousin to cheese on toast, made with a cheese and ale sauce, and Welsh Rarebit Day celebrates this famous dish. Nobody’s quite sure of the origin of the name, but it’s generally believed to be a jest at the expense of the early poor of Wales, who may largely have subsisted on rabbit and ale (though how this relates back to cheese on toast, we’re not sure). https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/welsh-rarebit-day/

World Beard Day The beard has been the symbol of manliness since time out of mine, close trimmed, full and properly manicured, even wild and bushy and out of control, the beard stands supreme. It has stood for many masculine virtues, including wisdom, strength, high social status, even sexual prowess, especially in warrior cultures. While there have been places that it hasn’t necessarily been in style, or even possible to grow for some, overall there has been a great deal of admiration and respect for someone sporting a fine beard. World Beard Day celebrates the beard and all it has been, become, and will be in days to come. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/world-beard-day/

International Vulture Awareness Day the first Saturday in September has been set aside as a day to consider the ecological importance of a bird of prey that is otherwise mostly dismissed with a shudder. With some species under severe threat of extinction, International Vulture Awareness Day aims to educate a reluctant public in the critical role of this creature to the well-being of the environment. With vultures traditionally being perceived as representing death and decay, conservationists involved in preserving their numbers have faced an uphill battle in fund-raising efforts and in making theirs a more sympathetic cause. Hopefully, the joint effort of South Africa’s Birds of Prey Programme and England’s Hawk Conservancy Trust in establishing an international day of vulture awareness will change public attitudes. The key role of the vulture in signalling the presence of a carcass to other scavengers prevents contamination by pathogens and helps keep nature free of disease. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/international-vulture-awareness-day/

Skyscraper Day The construction of tall buildings has become so commonplace in cities around the globe that the general public gives little thought to the visionaries responsible for creating a city’s unique skyline. Skyscraper day provides the opportunity to learn more about the architects who commit a dream to paper and the construction crews that make it reality. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/skyscraper-day/

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/september3.html

September 2, 2016

Daily Holidays September 2

Lazy Mom's Day Whether you are a lazy mom, or just aspire to have a day off and become a lazy mom, Lazy Mom’s Day could be right up your street. Even on Mother’s Day, moms across the world cook, clean, and generally work hard to keep their households functioning. On Lazy Mom’s Day, moms are encouraged to relax, take a back seat, and simply be lazy. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/lazy-moms-day/

Bring Your Manners to Work Day Many of us spend more time at work than at home, so it’s really important to have fulfilling relationships both with colleagues and customers. Bring Your Manners To Work Day was created by The Protocol School of Washington to remind people of the importance of treating people with courtesy and respect in the workplace. Everyone should practice good manners, whether at work or at home, and common bad manners at work include things like loud ringtones, not cleaning up after yourself and polite conversation. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/bring-your-manners-to-work-day/

V-J Day Following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Emperor Hirohito announced Japan’s acceptance to the Potsdam Declaration and surrendered on 15th August 1945, effectively marking the end of World War II. However, the official surrender ceremony did not occur until over two weeks later, and thus President Truman marked 2nd September as the official V-J Day. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/v-j-day/

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/september2.html

September 1, 2016

Daily Holidays September 1

Letter Writing Day For hundreds of years communication took place through just a couple of ways, you either sat down and had a conversation with someone or you wrote your thoughts and feelings down on a letter and had it delivered to them by courier. The nature of letters made them incredibly intimate, as each carried the indelible mark of its creator. Everything from the subtle scents of your home and perfume, to snippings from your garden could be included in a mailed letter. Digital media just doesn’t quite carry the same personal level as this old method, and Letter Writing Day is your opportunity to remember the wonders of the hand-written word. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/letter-writing-day/

Building and Code Staff Appreciation Day Happy Building and Code Staff Appreciation Day! If this is your field, then chances are you don’t feel the love every day, so live it up! Celebrate with a department lunch (that way you know you’ll be surrounded by like-minded people) or perhaps wear a smiley badge on all inspections you conduct today. If you don’t work in Building and Code, then today’s an opportunity to show your appreciation to those often overlooked people who ensure your building safety. Consider sending a box of chocolates and a note of thanks to the company or individual who performed your inspection to show you value their work, or at the very least, don’t be grumpy with your inspector today. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/building-and-code-staff-appreciation-day/

Emma M. Nutt Day Long ago, in 1878, the first telephone operator started working for the Boston Telephone Dispatch Company. What image do you have in your mind when you think of a phone operator? Clean white blouse, sensible ankle length skirt, and a friendly female voice? You may be surprised that the first operator was a man, in fact all of the first ones were. But their reign wasn’t to last, in September of 1878 Emma M Nutt became the first female phone operator, and from that point forward it’s been a woman’s industry. Emma M Nutt Day celebrates this pioneer and all she and her fellow operators have done for communication since! https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/emma-m-nutt-day/

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/september1.html