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Workin' It Podcast

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June 23rd Show: Dr. Julianne Malveaux and Fred Azarcate

Author: Jackie Guerra Showinfo@americanrightsatwork.org (American Rights at Work | Air America Radio)
Mon, Jun 25, 2007

Wow…what a week. This week I was in Washington DC for the Take Back America conference. I sat alongside some of the greats in progressive media on “Radio Row� to interview some awesome people. Let me say “muchas gracias� to Kandy Stroud and Roger Hickey and everyone from Campaign for America’s Future and all those who organized this inspired gathering of religious leaders, labor leaders, community activists, elected officials, media, academics and ordinary people wanting to make life a little easier, healthier, and more prosperous for all Americans. It was inspiring and exciting. The democratic candidates were presente! Everyone in attendance – over 3,000 people from across the United States had the chance to hear from the candidates as well as amazing speakers – many whom have been guests on The Jackie Guerra Show. Check out the conference info—it was impressive. I met and interviewed some of the greatest minds and organizers in the country and a few personal (s)heroes…stay tuned cause I’m rollin’ ‘em out in the next few weeks…you won’t want to miss any of them. This week I’m gonna play my interview with Dr. Julianne Malveaux, President of Bennett College for Women. You may know her from her many appearances on television and her published articles. She’s smart, she’s bold, she’s one of the greats and she’s our PoliCHICK of the week.

The Senate showdown over the Employee Free Choice Act is on. The time has finally come, mi gente! The House passed it by an overwhelmingly majority because they listen to the people and the people have spoken! What do we want? The Employee Free Choice Act. When do we want it? Now! Okay, now this important piece of legislation – the lifeline to democracy in the workplace for American workers – is in the hands of our 100 Senators. Let’s do everything we can to make sure that those 100 Senators remember what time it is…time to do the work of the people and pass The Employee Free Choice Act! You asked for our confidence, we voted for you, we gave you this job and now, we’re watching! I’m gonna talk to Fred Azcarate, the Executive Director of the AFL-CIO’s Voice@Work program, which connects union organizing and political action in order to build power for workers and protect their right to organize. Right now, Fred Azcarate and Voice@Work are at the heart of the struggle to pass the Employee Free Choice Act.

Though I’m broadcasting from the Center for American Progress’ studios in D.C., Latino Royalty Bill Torres joins me from Los Angeles for the good, the bad and the smelly, Cojones of the Week, PLUS, what can YOU do to make the world a better place? I’ll tell you when we play, Tell Me What Time It Is! Time to think, laugh and DO something. Let’s Take Back America! Si se puede!

We have a “Wicked� show this week. What do I mean? I went to see the play,“Wicked,� in Los Angeles. If you haven’t seen the show…OMG…run, don’t walk! Aside from the fact that it is gorgeous and Eden Espinosa as Elfaba is brilliant, the message is so timely. And you gotta listen to this week’s show to hear what happened to me on my way to the theatre—only in Los Angeles! This week on The Jackie Guerra Show we break it down and make it very clear that it is time for the Senate to pass The Employee Free Choice Act. I’m ashamed to report that there are still a few Senators who consider themselves progressive and who count on working Americans to employ them (vote for them) and yet they haven’t bothered to pledge their support for what is quite possibly the most significant piece of legislation for workers that we’ve seen in years. Listen to the show to find out who is holding out and who needs to hear what time it is! I talk to Roger Hickey, the founder and co-director of Campaign for America’s Future, the organization behind the Take Back America conference. He is a leader in the movement for healthcare for all Americans and has a whole lot to say about what taking back America means to you and me. I’m also gonna talk to pod goddess Alison Lee. She’s the founder of CraftCast.com and she’s workin’ it from home, putting on the biggest craft podcast on the internet. She is a self-made PoliCHICK who shares some insight about following your passion and making money while in your pajamas! Of course, I’ll also check in with Latino Royalty for a great installment of Cojones of the Week PLUS What can you do to make the world a better place? Listen to our weekly call to action, Tell Me What Time It Is! And last but not least, I’m going to tell you what Father’s Day means to me. Happy Dia de los Padres to everyone!

What a week! Are you looking for refuge from the “feel sorry for Scooter Libby� campaign and criminally high gas prices? Listen to The Jackie Guerra Show! We are seriously taking on the issues and fighting for working Americans every step of the way. This week we are tellin’ Verizon what time it is when Kimberly Freeman, Director of Communications at American Rights at Work is our PoliCHICK of the week. She stops by to give us the latest 411 about the war that Verizon continues to wage against it’s employees.. Oh, you don’t know that Verizon is costing you money? I’ll tell you why it might be time to hang up on Verizon!

And, momentum is building for the Employee Free Choice Act – federal legislation that would ensure workers have a free choice and a fair chance to form a union. We have an unprecedented opportunity to strengthen workers’ rights. Tell your Senator to co-sponsor the Employee Free Choice Act today!

This week we also get a visit from one of Los Angeles’ best: Councilman Richard Alarcon from L.A.’s 7th district: that’s the northeast San Fernando Valley where I’m from. Councilman Alarcon is talking about real ways to end poverty now and what you can do about it. He is brilliant. And let me tell you, Latino Royalty is in the house and in rare form this week for Cojones of the Week and a few surprises throughout the show. And I have a question for you…so listen to the show. Let me know what you think and be heard. You deserve it! JACKIE

June 2: Councilman Huizar and Southern California grocery Hey, hope that your week has been great. Did you see me on The Tyra Banks Show? It was pretty wild. If you missed it, you’ll have to keep your eyes open for the repeat – and don’t worry, it will repeat many times. Whether you saw it or not, you gotta listen to this week’s show when I tell a story about what one woman said to me after my appearance on Tyra’s show…shocking! I’m also going to speak with Los Angeles City Councilman Jose Huizar. Aside from being one of the greats in Los Angeles politics he is also one of the brave citizens who sacrificed his own liberty during the demonstration last fall in Los Angeles for a living wage. Councilman Huizar is one guy who puts his beliefs into action and doesn’t just show up during election time to court working people as voters. He is down with making life better for all workers and a great example of someone who is the change that he wants to see in the world. And for all the grotesque anti-immigrant hatemongers out there who like to spread lies about immigrants being a drain on our society, Councilman Huizar should be their worst nightmare! He is living proof that we are all better off when people who come to this country in search of opportunity (read, job) are allowed to raise their families with dignity. Born in Zacatecas, Mexico, Councilman Huizar, came to the Unites States with his parents at a very young age and grew up in East Los Angeles to become the first non-U.S born elected official to serve in the Los Angeles City Council. His story is amazing and his ideas are inspiring. You gotta hear what he has to say. I’m also gonna check in on the Southern California grocery store negotiations. Contract’s up and the fight is more important than ever. Barbara Maynard, spokesperson for UFCW Local 770, will be joining me along with Sharlette Villacorta, an Albertson’s employee. Both of them are Super Chicas who are right in the middle of the fight. Think what happens to grocery store employees in Southern California has nothing to do with the quality or your life or how your hard-earned money gets spent? Think again and tune in because Barbara and Sharlette bring it home to all of us and it’s not cute! I think you might enjoy a couple of surprises in this week’s show including a few important questions that only you can answer…listen, learn and speak up! If you’ve got something on your mind, something’s going on or you need to vent, give me a call at 1-877-5JG-SHOW. Do you have a nominee for Cojones of the Week; the Good, the Bad or the Smelly? Let me know. Is there something that really pisses you off? Let me know and you might be leading our weekly call to action – Tell Me What Time It Is. Hope you’ll join me. Adelante! JACKIE

I hope you have a great weekend, take time out for yourself, and remember – and give GRACIAS – to those who have served our nation. I think that service of all kinds is important and so we thought it would be cool to take some time off from the holiday weekend super sales and barbecues to visit with some incredible people who are working hard, doing good, giving back, and in their own way, being of service. I’m taking the weekend off but we’ve put together a great show full of wonderful interviews with filmmaker Robert Greenwald; UFW co-founder and all around inspiring Super Chica, Dolores Huerta; fabulous actress and author Annabelle Gurwitch; and food critic Michael Ruhlman who is speaking out about one of my least favorite pigs, Smithfield Foods. And speaking of pigs…you will not want to miss the classic showdown when I confront Smithfield Pork’s over-paid, overly stuffed shirt aka spokesperson Dennis Pittman. Even on the radio, you can see him squirm, sweat and watch his soul shatter as he stumbles and fumbles while repeating lie after lie on behalf of shameless Smithfield. He’s a piece of work! I pay homage to Alicia Silverstone, give an update on the Century Corridor/Living Wage campaign in Los Angeles starring my 10-year-old niece, Jessenya, and there is also a special tribute to Ann Coulter that you won’t want to miss. So relax, take a listen, be inspired, have a chuckle and enjoy the Memorial Day Weekend. Adelante!

Hola! Hola! It’s almost…the weekend. Hang in there! I know what you can do to reward yourself for all of your hard work this week – if you do nothing else for yourself, listen to this week’s show. Lemme ask you, what do Teletubby’s, Enron, the Department of Labor, the Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Team and possibly one of the most effective bad-ass Super Chica’s to ever grace the great state of Mississippi have in common? They are all part of this week’s show. Let me tell you about the absurd irony of the outsourcing of jobs at the Department of Labor…seriously, at the DOL! I’m also going to speak with attorney Al Meyerhoff who is fighting for justice for the victims of Enron. Remember Enron? The people who were robbed of their investments and pensions sure do and Al is going to explain exactly how when companies pull an “Enron� it means money out of YOUR pocket. How do you spell justice? M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I Workers’ Center for Human Rights! Jaribu Hill, the Executive Director, is definitely someone you want to know and she is our PoliCHICK. When you meet her you’ll understand exactly why. Farewell to Falwell and good luck to St. Peter who has his hands full this week at the Pearly Gates. And, it is all about the Good, the Bad and the Smelly when we get a visit from Latino Royalty, Bill Torres, for this week’s installment of Cojones of the Week! What did you say? Come on Jackie, Tell Me What Time It Is. Okay, I will when we have our weekly call to action and I will give you the news that matters most when I serve up the News…In English! Listen to The Jackie Guerra Show on your radio, XM, online or podcast anytime – it’s all about you. Do your good deed for the week and tell a friend to listen. Making the world a better place one listener at a time! Have fun, laugh a lot, and be great!

This week we’re talking to California Assemblyman John Laird, who is leading the charge in California to get healthcare for all children. You have got to hear what he has to say about why this is his priority and why all children in this great nation don’t have access to healthcare already. We’re also talking to Carol Pier about Human Rights Watch’s new report on Wal-Mart. Carol breaks down the report’s disturbing findings and tells us how Wal-Mart’s bad behavior is affecting international perception of the United States and ruining the reputation of good American businesses. And as always, there is something you can do about it! All that and more this Saturday on The Jackie Guerra Show, so tune in!

Workin’ It is now The Jackie Guerra Show! A special thanks to all of our listeners who have kept us going strong –it’s because of you that we are celebrating our one year anniversary on the air! And now we’re creating more ways for you to keep in touch and let us know what you think—visit our new website to leave a message on Jackie’s blog, call-in to the show, or email Jackie. We may have a new name and a new website, but we’re going to keep on ‘Workin’ It’ to make sure that life is good, healthy, fair and dignified for all of America’s workers. So please continue to tune in to have some fun, think, laugh, and do something!

This week Rachel Bristol, CEO of the Oregon Food Bank is our PoliCHICK. Her group challenged the Governor of Oregon to live on food stamps for a week to bring more attention to hunger in this country. I’ll also talk to JoAnn Volk, a healthcare policy expert with the AFL-CIO who will tell us all about the Health Care Hustle. Of course, we’ll also have The News in English and our weekly call to action, Tell Me What Time It Is! That’s this Saturday afternoon on The Jackie Guerra Show.

This week I’m joined in the studio by radio personality Bill Press, who will talk about his new book, How the Republicans Stole Religion, including how they stole religion and what we can do about it. I’m also talkin’ with this week’s PoliCHICK, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, who’s fighting the good fight to get DC voting rights! I’ll also be joined by Leonard Cooper, an inspiring worker whose life is an example of how to stay strong in the face of adversity. And as always, we’ll have The News…in English and our weekly call to action, Tell Me What Time It Is!

Check out this week’s show when we talk to Patricia Castellanos from the Clean and Safe Ports Coalition about a radical idea to combat pollution in California. We’ll also talk to Sara Horowitz, founder of the Freelancers Union, an innovative union that supports the growing number of independent and non-traditional workers. Of course, you’ll hear The News in English and our weekly call to action, Tell Me What Time It Is. Tune in on Saturday!

This week Jackie talks with prominent attorney and talk-show host Gloria Allred, this week’s PoliCHICK. Allred is representing recently fired Circuit City workers who say they were they were let go for making too much money, but were then told they could reapply for their jobs – but at entry-level wages! We’ll also talk to Paul Waldman, Senior Fellow at Media Matters for America, a media watchdog stepping up a campaign to get Ann Coulter’s column dropped by newspapers.

Check out this week’s show when we talk to Nisha Patel of the Washington Area Women’s Foundation. Through a new program called Stepping Stones, she’s helping bring more opportunities to low income women and their families. We’ll also talk with acclaimed food writer, Michael Ruhlman. We all know that Smithfield treats their workers poorly, but their FOOD suffers as well! And this week’s PoliCHICK, Mary Beth Maxwell, will give us the lowdown on the Employee Free Choice Act. Tune in on Saturday!

This week it’s all about the students! It’s the Student Labor Week of Action and young people all over the country are taking action in support of campus workers and raising awareness for workers’ rights. We’ll talk to Sarita Gupta, Executive Director of Jobs with Justice, about this exciting wave of student activism, and with Matthew Brokman, a student at George Washington University who is involved in organizing some really cool events. Of course, we’ll also have “The News in English� and our weekly call to action, “Tell Me What Time It Is.� Tune in on Saturday!

Check out this week’s show when we talk to Linda Foley, the President of The Newspaper Guild, about the current state of the media. Annabelle Gurwitch, our PoliCHICK of the week and star of the new movie Fired!, will drop by the studio to talk about how she went from being fired by Woody Allen to creating a hilarious new film about economic insecurity in America. And of course, we’ll deliver The News in English and our weekly call to action, Tell Me What Time It Is. Tune in Saturday!

Check out this week’s show when we visit with a real life heroine in the fight for workers’ rights, Dolores Huerta. We’ll talk about farmworkers in America and why the fight in the fields continues. We’ll also talk to outstanding documentary filmmaker, Robert Greenwald, whose latest films Iraq for Sale and Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price are both must sees. And this week’s PoliCHICK, Mary Beth Maxwell, will tell us about some lawbreaking going on at Yale New Haven Hospital.

Check out this week’s show when Jackie talks to Tracy Gray-Barkan of the Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy. She’s out to teach companies (and local activists!) how to learn from the mistakes of Wal-Mart. And in Hollywood, gay and lesbian actors are making their voices heard! Jackie talks with Jason Stuart, Chair of the Screen Actors Guild’s new LGBT caucus, about the struggles many actors in the LGBT community face. All that, plus The News in English and our weekly call to action, Tell Me What Time It Is!

This week on Workin’ It, we’ll discuss the great breaking news for working people: Thursday’s passage of the Employee Free Choice Act in the House of Representatives! Jackie also helps you see through the hogwash of this week’s guest: Dennis Pittman, Public Relations Spokesman for Smithfield Foods.

In the show Jackie interviews Dennis Pittman, Public Relations Spokesman for Smithfield Foods in Tar Heel, NC. Pittman tries explain why Smithfield is a good place to work – is it the union busting and disrespect? The skyrocketing injury rates? Or maybe the denial of medical treatment to workers when on-the-job accidents occur? Hear him try to spin his way out of the slop that his company has created for its workers…

This week we have a special edition of Workin’ It: Jackie revisits some of her favorite interviews with Hon. Linda Sanchez, NAACP Chairman Julian Bond, National Workrights Institute President Lewis Maltby, and her friend and occasional sparring partner Lash Fary. So be sure to tune into Saturday’s special edition of Workin’ It!

Check out this week’s show when we get the lowdown on the Employee Free Choice Act from Mary Beth Maxwell, Executive Director of American Rights at Work. Plus, I give a certain University President a piece of my mind—unionbusters beware! We’ll also have our weekly call to action, Tell Me What Time It Is and the News in English.

Rep. Lynne Woolsey, the first welfare mother to serve in the U.S. Congress, joins us for PoliCHICKS. We’ll get her story and hear why it’s harder than ever to get ahead in George W. Bush’s America. Jackie talks with an attorney representing workers at the Santa Barbara News Press who say they were fired for protesting the business decisions of the newspaper. We’ll also be joined by Baldemar Velasquez, the passionate founder and President of the Farm Labor Organizing Committee to talk about a minimum wage fight for farmworkers in Ohio.

Join us on this week’s show when we talk to a small business owner in California who is fighting back against the corporate hand. We’ll also be joined by one of the biggest names in the fight for workers’ rights, Senator Sherrod Brown from Ohio! All that plus economist Harley Shaiken, News in English, our weekly call to action, Tell Me What Time It Is, AND our newest segment, PoliChicks with Mary Beth Maxwell, the Executive Director of American Rights at Work.

This week, the President delivered his State of the Union address. We’ll break it down with Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), who will tell us what the President’s address means for workers. We’ll also chat with Jimmy Hyland, a retired utility worker from Long Island, NY who is involved in a really cool project called Unseen America. We’ll get an update on the ongoing campaign being waged by UTLA on behalf of Los Angeles public school teachers, plus The News in English, our weekly call to action, Tell Me What Time It Is, and much more.

Join me this week when I sit down with my good friend, California State Senator Gilbert Cedillo, to talk about the living wage, Wal-Mart, and the Governor’s new plan for universal healthcare. I’ll also be joined by Mike Ferner, a Vietnam-era Vet and author of Inside the Red Zone: A Veteran For Peace Reports from Iraq. And we’re going to get an update on the UTLA contract situation. All that, plus listener emails, The News in English and our weekly call to action, Tell Me What Time It Is. Join me on Saturday!

This week on Workin’ It, Congresswoman Linda Sánchez will be stopping by to give us the inside scoop on the new Congress and raising the minimum wage. And, we’ll be talking with Heidi Hartmann, the President of the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, about its new report, “The Best and Worst State Economies for Women.� All that, plus The News in English and our weekly call to action, Tell Me What Time It Is. Tune in!