September 5, 2010

Broadcast Date: 
Sep 5 2010

Striking applesauce workers at Motts; a look at the fate of the 6 million long-term unemployed; plus an exhibit on the legacy of New York City reform mayor John Lindsay.

Episode segments
  • Striking Applesauce Workers at Mott
    Labor, National Politics
    Esther Kaplan

    Esther Kaplan weighs in on corporate recession vulture Dr. Pepper Snapple Group's demand that the 305 workers in their Mott's Applesauce facility in Williamson NY agree to massive cuts in wages and benefits, even as the company reports record profits.  Far more than pay is at stake in a labor-management conflict that may presage further attempts by profitable companies to take advantage of today's weak labor markets.

    For further information and to donate to the workers' support fund, click here.

    UPDATE: Strike settled.  For details, click here.

  • The Fate of the Long Term Unemployed
    Labor, New York Politics, National Politics, Domestic Policy
    Andrew Stettner is the Deputy Director of the National Employment Law Project
    Esther Kaplan

    The U.S. is in the throes of a massive restructuring of its labor force: workers unemployed for 6 months or longer make up close to one-half of today's over 9% unemployment rate; where there is job growth, good quality jobs are being replaced by those in low-wage sectors;  entire segments of the workforce may have disappeared presaging a spike in the "permanent poor"; and a huge racial unemployment gap has emerged (e.g., African Americans make up 11% of the workforce, but 22% of the unemployed).

    Beyond the Pale talks with NELP's Andrew Stettner about these alarming developments, the spector of what may happen when the latest extention of unemployment benefits expires on November 30th, and about the kind of economic policies we need to lift up the floor and support the middle of the U.S. workforce.

    Click here for NLEP's report Where the Jobs Are.

  • America's Mayor: John V. Lindsay
    Labor, New York Politics, Education, Housing, Police/Criminal Justice
    Dr. Sarah Henry is deputy director and chief curator of The Museum of the City of New York.
    Marilyn Kleinberg Neimark

    John Lindsay was elected Mayor of New York City first in November 1965 and then again in 1969. During that time, he redefined urban life in New York City and emerged as a national figure. But his achievements came at a cost and 16 months after he left office New York was teetering on the brink of bankruptcy.

    Dr. Sarah Henry talks with us about the Lindsay years and his legacy.

    The museum's special website for the exhibit is chock full of additional information and links and if you click on any of the tabs, you'll have an opportunity to add your own recollections of those tumultuous years.