Labor

1,000 + columbus janitors win a new 3-year contract after a year-long battle with downtown cleaning service agencies. Imokalee workers and allies draw 120 to a protest at the grand opening of Wendy's newest burger joint - meet, briefly with a Wendy's exec.

The Trans Pacific Partnership ( "TPP") is a new "free trade" agreement being pushed by the Obama administration that critics say would allow an unaccountable consortium of transnational corporations to over-rule local laws in the U.S. and other participating nations. Indeed, the language of the proposal spells it out explicitly, yet it is being "fast-tracked" through Congress and its details have only recently been leaked. Lori Wallach, of Public Citizen explains.

The Coalition of Imokalee Workers is pressuring Columbus-based Wendy's to sign on to their 1-cent-per-pound contract which guarantees better wages and conditions for tomato pickers in Southern Florida. We spewak with several of the organizers. Also; the weekly Coal Report and a new weekly feature, an audio column from Sonali Kolhatkar

Two separate rallies focused on labor rights took place in downtown Columbus this week as the state legislature takes up a bill that may lead to union-busting in public schools, and another that would seriously undermine collective bargaining rights throughout the state. In this program we feature highlights from both rallies, plus a song from Pete Seeger, who turned 94 this week.

Carla Hale was fired from her teaching position at Bishop Watterson catholic high school after 19 years when an anonymous letter, allegedly from a parent of a student there outed her as a lesbian. Alumni and others have organized in solidarity and are demanding her reinstatement and a change in the Catholic Dioces employment policies.