Solidarity Radio - Episode Four
The fourth installment of our trailblazing labor podcast
What's good, loyal #1uu listeners? It's been a long time….we shouldn't have left you without a dope podcast to step to. But alas, here we are 15 months after Episode Three back with #AnothaOne. Welcome to SR Episode Four (A New Hope). This episode of the podcast was recorded at the House of Jeezy Studios on Friday, November 22nd. And in this fourth installment (and Season One finale), we open up labor notes by talking about the Southern Poverty Law Center denying its employees' request for voluntary recognition. Then, we discuss the incredible wave of new unit organizing at The NewsGuild - CWA, the first T-Mobile store in the United States to unionize, John Legere's anticlimactic departure from T-Mobile, and the T-Mobile / Sprint merger. We also check in on the aftereffects of the Janus vs. AFSCME decision and discuss the confirmation of Eugene Scalia as United States Secretary of Labor. After labor notes, we talk about the hot button issues of the moment: the impeachment hearings as well as the 2020 election and democratic primary debates. Listening to us locally in Colorado? No problem. We've got you covered with an update from the 2019 local elections in Aurora. And since it's bee 15 months since our last episode, of course we need to check in with updates from Jason Michael and Ted James. Finally, we close Episode Four with another hilarious installment of "Would you rather?" Episode Four (A New Hope) is just that. It's a fun, optimistic and at times light-hearted reunion between two good friends. Jason Michael and Ted James had a blast making it and we hope you have a blast listening. Pod save labor!
And as always, Solidarity Radio Forever ✊
© 2019 Union Underground Productions / Hosted by Ted James & Jason Michael / Mixed by Ted James / Recorded at The House of Jeezy Studios on November 22nd, 2019 / Theme Music: Jonny Danger - Underground Spark / Outro Music: Ted James - P*ssy [Teaser] / Outro music contains parts of a recording of “Interlude” by JAY-Z. Other music samples include short clips from "Just Us (feat. SZA)" by DJ Khaled, "Truth Hurts" by Lizzo, and "The Thanksgiving Song" by Adam Sandler. All music samples are intended for fair use promotional purposes only / The views expressed on this podcast are the views of Ted James and Jason Michael alone. They should not be seen as reflecting the views of any labor organization or union.
Solidarity Radio - Episode Three
The third installment of our trailblazing labor podcast
Greetings, loyal #1uu listeners. I wish we were reconvening under happier circumstances but, given the setback of last Wednesday, it is as important a time as ever to be continuing our on-going conversation about building the labor movement. Obviously, the setback I'm referring to is the United States Supreme Court's 5-4 ruling in favor of weakening unions and our movement by striking down public sector "fair share" fees with Wednesday's Janus V. AFSCME decision. This decision is not just a blow to organized labor but, more broadly, a blow to every working family across America as this weakening of the labor movement will undoubtedly exacerbate our country's income and wealth inequality crisis. Even though this has been a depressing week, as your devoted Union CEO, it is my duty to replace despair with hope by reminding you that when we are under attack, we stand up and fight back. To that end, it is my honor to welcome you to SR Episode Three (Revenge of the Koch Brother...err...Sith). This installment was recorded at the House of Jeezy Studios on Wednesday, June 20th - one week before the Janus decision was issued by SCOTUS. Nevertheless, because the Janus decision was anticipated, Ted James and Jay-Dao provide a complete breakdown of the case and its implications. Later in the proceedings, our dynamic duo talk about Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains and its despicable attempt to petition Donald J. Trump's Labor Department to help them bust their employees' legally-formed union. Next, the Union Underground imprint's second video, District 7 Is CWA Strong is revealed and we get an update on Jay-Dao's efforts to become the real-life version of me, The Union CEO. Finally, our hosts wrap up with another round of fun, lighthearted rapid-fire questions. My hope is that you will find our third installment of the pod informative and inspiring. Remember, don't mourn. Organize! Also, never forget the important (albeit fictional) quote from longtime friend of the pod, Edgar Alan Poe that we've posted below:
THE STATE OF THE UNIONS IS STRONG - Edgar Allan Poe
As always, Solidarity Radio Forever ✊
© 2018 Union Underground Productions / Hosted by Ted James & Jay-Dao / Mixed by Ted James / Recorded at The House of Jeezy Studios on June 20th, 2018 / Theme Music: Jonny Danger - Underground Spark / Outro Music: Ted James - Strong Will Continue / Outro music contains parts of a recording of “Strong Will Continue” by Nas & Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley and is intended for fair use promotional purposes only / All quotes attributed to Edgar Allan Poe in this episode are satirical in nature / The views expressed on this podcast are the views of Ted James and Jay Dao alone. They should not be seen as reflecting the views of any labor organization or union.
Ted James - Strong Will Continue
When union rights are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, drop a labor track
Ted James - Strong Will Continue
Intro: Ted James
All we do is stay focused
Looking straight forward at the challenge and beyond
We feel the one percent pulling us down
We've gotta keep pulling each other up
We can’t get stuck
We've gotta keep moving forward
We’ve got places to go, y'all
Let’s get it
Chorus: Damian Marley
When the armageddon's dark and dread
A lot of weak hearted weep and moan
Only the strong will continue
Do you have it in you?
Come, we've got a journey to go
And when the battle get sour and dread
A lot of weak hearted wither and moan
Only the strong will continue
I know you have it in you
I know you have it in you
Verse One: Damian Marley
Hey, the victory's found in truth
Like innocence found in youth
Self defeat is your own dispute
And man, you put yourself in your own shoes
Either you're winning or losing
Don't you get it confused
Play a star and you know your own movie
Playing of the role you choose, so
Stand up and fight if you know that you're right
And know you will never fail
Tipping the scale and the wind shall prevail
And the boat shall forever sail
Hey, there ain't no stopping or cruising
Even when you're battered and bruised
Outrun all the sprinters on Mount Olympus
My God's tougher than Zeus
Chorus: Damian Marley
When the armageddon's dark and dread
A lot of weak hearted weep and moan
Only the strong will continue
Do you have it in you?
Come, we've got a journey to go
And when the battle get sour and dread
A lot of weak hearted wither and moan
Only the strong will continue
I know you have it in you
I know you have it in you
Verse Two: Ted James
First came Friedrichs, then came Janus
Koch Brothers want unions sunk like Atlantis
It’s madness, they wanna take away fair share
We don't care, we just prepare
Make a fist and throw it straight up in the air
Working people, we ain't going nowhere
We're right here, fighting for a better day
This movement won't die when we organize our way
From cornered to growing to warding off attacks
From mourners to showing solidarity won't crack
We're the 99 percent and they can't compete with that
When we fight and don't relent, together we can pack
The halls of government and overcome their greed, in fact
Together we can lead the charge to bring democracy back
So no matter how hard, and no matter how long
We will win if we are strong
Chorus: Damian Marley
When the armageddon's dark and dread
A lot of weak hearted weep and moan
Only the strong will continue
Do you have it in you?
Come, we've got a journey to go
And when the battle get sour and dread
A lot of weak hearted wither and moan
Only the strong will continue
I know you have it in you
I know you have it in you
Verse Three: Damian Marley
No man live forever, but never say never
Every good he want better, must be a go getter
And always be clever in every endeavor
Cause drastic time call for drastic measure
Yuh birthright to pleasure, from yuh navel string sever
The land and the treasure, work for whatever
Jah said don't be a beggar, the Alpha Omega
Will bless every soul no matter which name you prefer
The immortal stepper, believe in every skin no matter which color they are
We never let we don't know here which kind of weather
You're destined to rise like the Son of Rebecca
Don't stop for a second
Everyone reckon, it sure would be good to be there
Whether Zion or Mecca
When the gates are finally closed
And the saints go marching in
Chorus: Damian Marley
When the armageddon's dark and dread
A lot of weak hearted weep and moan
Only the strong will continue
Do you have it in you?
Come, we've got a journey to go
And when the battle get sour and dread
A lot of weak hearted wither and moan
Only the strong will continueI know you have it in you
I know you have it in you
Verse Four: Ted James
When the union’s inspiration through the workers’ blood shall run
There can be no power greater anywhere beneath the sun
We ain't done, we're just getting started
Labor resuregence taking flight, we've just departed
Flying over greener pastures and waters uncharted
To reclaiming the wealth that the rich have bogarted
Our resolve aint stealth but they don't see us coming
Their arrogance and greed can be quite a shortcoming
So we're building up this movement greater than their hoarded gold
Greater than the might of armies magnified a thousand fold
Watch us as we birth the new world from the ashes of the old
And make a future so bright it's a sight to behold
When we stand up and fight we can right any wrong
On the long path to justice, arm in arm, we march along
Solidarity forever (forever ever) forever long
We're unbreakable togerher for the union makes us strong
© 2018 Millinium VII Entertainment & Union Underground Productions / Produced by Ted James / Mixed by Ted James / Recorded at The House of Jeezy Studios / This song contains parts of a recording of “Strong Will Continue” by Nas & Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley and parts of a recording of "Strong Will Continue (Instrumental)" by RasJohan / This song also contains lyrics adapted for genre from lyrics originally written by Ralph Chaplin / This song is intended for fair use promotional purposes and is not for sale
Damian Marley Lyrics Source: Genius
Featured Image Source: Communications Workers of America
Solidarity Radio - Episode Two
The second installment of our trailblazing labor podcast
What's good, #1uu fam? Happy Presidents' Day! It's been a minute but we're finally back. Did you miss us? I'm guessing that some of you might have been starting to think that Solidarity Radio was a one-and-done experiment. Well alas, as your faithful Union CEO, it is my distinct honor to prove the doubters wrong by welcoming you to SR Episode Two (Attack of the Clones). This installment of your favorite labor movement podcast was recorded a little less than two weeks ago. Ted James and Jay-Dao returned to the House of Jeezy Studios on Wednesday, February 7th to sail Union Underground's flagship production back out to sea. During this episode, Jay-Dao and Ted James chop it up about Super Bowl LII, T-Mobile's diversity Super Bowl ad, fake news, partisan politics in the era of Trump, and Election 2018. Later in the proceedings, our dynamic duo talk about impending attacks on organized labor, building a Labor Movement that can makes moves with Netflix money, and new paradigms for organizing workers. Finally, our hosts wrap up with some fun, lighthearted rapid-fire questions. I'mma let you start the pod but before I do - since it's Presidents' Day, I'll leave you first with a presidential quote about the American Labor Movement. Solidarity Radio Forever ✊ #1uu
The American Labor Movement has consistently demonstrated its devotion to the public interest. It is, and has been, good for all America. - John F. Kennedy
© 2018 Union Underground Productions / Hosted by Ted James & Jay-Dao / Mixed by Ted James / Recorded at The House of Jeezy Studios on February 7th, 2018 / Theme Music: Jonny Danger - Underground Spark / Outro Music: Ted James - Solidarity Forever (feat. Jennifer James) / The views expressed on this podcast are the views of Ted James and Jay Dao alone. They should not be seen as reflecting the views of any labor organization or union.