Short observation paper

The object of this assignment is to learn something about how contemporary labor movements operate. You should make plans to observe a labor event: either a cultural event, meeting, picket line, or protest. Then submit a 3-4 page observation paper describing what you have seen and offering observations and analysis of what it reveals about contemporary labor culture. What attitudes and practices do you observe? Do they reflect aspects of labor history and labor culture that we have been discussing in class? By labor culture we mean ideas, values, rituals, symbols, tactics, etc. This assignment should be turned in as soon as possible, no later than May 8.

As I learn about events, I will paste notices here. Feel free to suggest others. Clarification: The notices that appear here are taken verbatim from various websites and do not indicate endorsement of particular events or organizations. This is strictly an academic exercise.

*Date*	*Event*
Tuesday May 7- Sunday May 13	United Food and Commercial Workers Local 21 is urging all fellow union members and community supporters to show solidarity with these Macy’s workers — and with all working Moms. In the days preceding and including Mother’s Day, there will be actions at each of the seven Macy’s stores from Bellingham to Federal Way: May 7 at 11:30 a.m. — SouthCenter Macy’s, 500 SouthCenter Mall, Tukwila May 8 at 11:30 a.m. — Downtown Seattle Macy’s, 1601 3rd Ave., Seattle May 9 at 11:30 a.m. — Everett Macy’s, 1502 SE Everett Mall Way, Everett May 10 at 11:30 a.m. — Federal Way Macy’s, 1901 S. Commons, Federal Way May 13 (Mother’s Day) at 3 p.m. — 18700 Alderwood Mall Blvd., Lynnwood NOTE: Supporters are particularly encouraged to come to the Mother’s Day action on May 13, which culminates the two weeks of actions. Also, please note the different start time.

Organizations listing labor events:

Washington State Labor Council: http://www.wslc.org/reports/latest.htm

King County Labor Council: http://www.kclc.org/

UW United Students Against Sweatshops: http://uwseattle.usas.org/

Organized Workers for Labor Solidarity:http://organizedworkers.org

Occupy Seattle: http://occupyseattle.org

Seattle Activism calendar: http://www.seattleactivism.org/

A bit of Labor Culture from Australia:

What has the union movement ever done for us?

Union Video from Australia on YouTube. 2.3 min.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=184NTV2CE_c