2. Three Important Chapter Events in October
~ An Evening with NY Times Labor Journalist, Steven Greenhouse, October 5, Friday
By Nina Flanagan
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Steven Greenhouse
Photo: Courtsey of Author
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The NWU's Pay The Writer campaign presents an evening with Steven Greenhouse, a labor reporter for the New York Times. Greenhouse has reported on labor and workplace issues since 1995. His 2008 book, "The Big Squeeze: Tough Times for the American Worker," won a 2009 Hillman Prize, which recognizes investigative reporting that serves the public interest. He has reported on topics ranging from labor unions and child labor to the way major corporations treat-and mistreat-their workers.
The evening will also include information on the Pay the Writer campaign; initiated in 2011 following AOL's purchase of theHuffington Post for $315 million. Organizer Andrew Van Alstyne says he hopes the event will offer a networking opportunity for those involved with the campaign to meet NWU leaders and members. Currently, the campaign focus is to connect with online writers and bloggers and to help them identify their value. "Our longterm goal is to generate freelance best practice standards that publishers will adopt," says Van Alystne. The campaign's efforts include participation in Netroots Nation last June, demonstrations against Arianna Huffington, and development of the New York Pay the Writer committee, with plans to expand to other states.
Volunteers from the NY Chapter are needed at 6 p.m. to help set up the room for the meeting. RSVP to help: info@nwuny.org
NWU/UAW 12th Floor Conference Room
256 West 38th Street (between Seventh and Eighth Avenues), Manhattan
7 p.m.
Refreshments will be provided.
For more information, email Andrew Van Alstyne: ptw@nwu.org.
~ Second Annual NY Chapter Writers Conference:
"Publish & Sell to the World," October 20, Saturday
By Tim Sheard, NY Chapter Treasurer
Writers, want to raise your career to a higher level? Attend this day-long conference. You will learn how to develop a productive, collaborative relationship with an editor; how to self-publish, distribute, and market your work; how to employ social media - Facebook, Twitter, Linkdin, websites, and more - to build your brand; how to protect your intellectual property from theft and obtain payment from recalcitrant publishers; and how to run a small business as a professional writer.
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| Bill Fletcher, Jr. |
The high point of the day will be the luncheon keynote address by Bill Fletcher Jr., the renowned labor historian, journalist and editor. For years Fletcher has provided trenchant, insightful analyses of the decline of the labor movement and the political forces behind these attacks on labor. His presentation, "The Role of the Writer in Rebuilding the Labor Movement," will inspire writers to fight the cuts in our reimbursement rates and stop the online content providers from demanding free content from writers.
The cost is just $15 for NWU and UAW members, $20 for students and seniors and $40 for non-members. Non-members who join the NWU during the conference will receive a $25 reimbursement. A full day of informative, inspiring speakers, two meals (breakfast and lunch), and a cocktail party: there's no better deal anywhere in NYC!
Presenters: Don Lafferty, social media coach; Susan E. Davis, National Contract Advisor and NY Chapter Co-Chair Tim Sheard, author, publisher and NY Chapter Treasurer; Bill Fletcher Jr., award-winning labor historian and organizer; Sarah Grey, freelance editor; Alina Adams, e-book marketing coach; and Alexandria Faiz, business development consultant and NY Chapter Steering Committee member.
Seating is limited, so reserve your place today. To register, email info@nwuny.org
NWU/UAW 12th Floor Conference Room
256 West 38th Street (between Seventh and Eighth Avenues), Manhattan
8 a.m.-5 p.m. Cocktail party and mixer 5-7 p.m.
For more information, contact Tim Sheard: (917) 428-1352
~ President Obama Calling
By Loretta H. Campbell
The UAW is asking all its locals to support the reelection campaign of President Barack Obama. Through labor walks, car caravanning, and phone banking, locals across the country will get out the vote.
The calls will be made from the UAW New York City headquarters at 256 West 38th Street, 12th floor conference room. However, NWU members across the country will also be engaged in the phone banking campaign.
At the Community Action Program Council (CAP) meeting where this decision was announced, Scott Sommer, New York Subregional Director at UAW Region 9A, explained the campaign schedule: "Phone banking will be done for three days a week beginning in the first week of October. The next week, it will be done for four days. During the few weeks before the election, phone banking will be done seven days a week."
Sommer stressed the importance of canvassing in the "battleground state of New Hampshire." Neither President Obama nor Mitt Romney has overwhelming support in this state. Consequently, the UAW campaign will include a virtual Obama blitz of New Hampshire during October and early November. Labor walks are scheduled in New Hampshire for every Saturday as well as in Connecticut and Massachusetts.
NWU members can also lend their support by including information about the UAW campaign on their blogs and Facebook pages.
The campaign is also important to NWU members because of President Obama's Information Literacy Awareness program and his stand for teachers and education, which speaks to the concerns of writers in the NWU. Indeed, educators make up a large percentage of our membership.
Contact Scott Somer at (212) 529-2580 to participate in the Labor Walks or car caravans.
To participate in phone banking, contact President Larry Goldbetter at the NWU National Headquarters at (212) 254-0279, or send him an email to lgoldbetter@nwu.org. Please put "Phone banking" in the subject line.
3. NY Chapter Steering Committee Meeting, November 11, Sunday
The NY Chapter Steering Committee will meet Sunday, November 11, 2-4:30 p.m. in the 12th floor conference room at the NWU/UAW office (256 West 38th Street (between Seventh and Eighth Avenues), Manhattan). All members are welcome. Please send an email to info@nwuny.org in advance if you would like to attend.
4. First Monday
The NY Chapter's free monthly First Monday program (6-8:30 p.m.) will not take place in October because of the Writers Conference on October 20. However, it will resume on November 5 and will feature Jo Anne Meekins and Lora Rene Tucker presenting "Write & Market the Spiritual Growth and Development Book." Both authors have written and lectured about spiritual and personal development. Learn how they use their vocation to sell their books.
New Location: Ben's Restaurant (in the back room), 209 West 38th Street (between Seventh and Eighth Avenues), Manhattan. Free drinks for the first ten attendees. For more information, emailinfo@nwuny.org, or call (917) 428-1352.
5. Union News/Events
~ NWU Supports Teachers' Rally
By Roy Murphy
The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) sponsored a rally in Union Square, Manhattan, on September 10, in support of the striking Chicago Teachers Union (CTU).
About 300 people participated, including Larry Goldbetter representing the National Writers Union. Additional unions included the Professional Staff Congress (PSC), American Postal Workers Union (APWU)-NY Metro, and members from various carpenter unions.
The main target of this local demonstration was the Democrats for Education Reform (DEFR), a group of hedge fund managers and charter school executives. The protesters said that DEFR has campaigned to make anti-teacher, pro-privatization reforms and charter schools a part of the Democratic Party's education platform.
DFER drafted legislation in Illinois, which weakened teacher tenure and made it difficult for teachers to strike. The group has funded anti-CTU ads and petitions in Chicago, and is a major supporter of Chicago's Mayor, Rahm Emanuel. The protesters marched up Broadway to the DFER offices, chanting along the way: "Ye-eah Ra-ahm, we know you! Bloomberg is a scumbag too!"
The demise of inner-city schools is attributed to the debilitating effects of poverty, not the teachers' unions. Charter schools are not the solution - their overall performance is no better than that of many public schools.
America's education system no longer offers an opportunity to rise, but cements inequality from one generation to the next. This is why school reform is so critical. The protesters are angry at the corporatization of education. They want teachers to teach, not earn profits.
~ Brooklyn Book Fair - A Great Day for the Union
By Tim Sheard, NY Chapter Treasurer
The Brooklyn Book Fair, held on September 23, was a great day for the union. Eleven NWU members read from their latest works, hawked their books and talked about the benefits of joining the NWU. Underneath blue skies on a crisp fall day, we talked and listened as a huge crowd passed by in the largest turnout ever at the annual book fair. We also listened to many new writers, who shared their hopes, dreams, promotional efforts and obstacles to publishing. They received encouragement, business advice and an invitation to attend our upcoming Writers Conference.
Paul Werner read his sparkling poetry, bringing passersby to a stop and wowing them with his sublime writing that is reminiscent of Osip Mandelstam. Tim Sheard read the creepy opening chapter to his latest crime novel, raising smiles from a pair of mystery lovers. Carren Stock read from her informative book about how to get published and succeed in marketing your work, which sparked several conversations among young writers. Hugh Samuels, a military veteran, read from his eloquent, powerful poems about love, family, and stopping the violence in the African-American community.
Jo Anne Meekins changed the tone, reading from her sweet book of poems about love and spirituality. She was followed by the dynamic Lora Rene Tucker, who attracted a large crowd with her ringing poems about growing up in Brooklyn. Maddy Lederman read the opening chapter of her ironic novel about a mixed-up teen, sparking a lively conversation about parents and growing up. Mireya Perez read from her beautiful poems about community and family.
This article continues on the NWU/NY Chapter website: www.nwuny.org
To read more writing by Tim Sheard, go to: www.timsheard.com
6. Upcoming Events
~ NWU Member Talks at NYU School of Law, October 3, Wednesday
Edward Hasbrouck, award-winning travel journalist and NWU's Book Division Co-Chair, will give a talk about his work entitled "Government Surveillance of Travel," moderated by Rachel Levinson-Waldman, counsel, Liberty and National Security Program.
Hasbrouck works with the Identity Project on travel-related civil liberties and human rights issues. He will provide an introduction to government surveillance of travel, including the Department of Homeland Security's "Automated Targeting System" (ATS), and the civil liberties and human rights issues it raises.
The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law
161 Avenue of the Americas (Sixth Avenue at Spring Street), 12th Floor, Manhattan
12:30 p.m.-2 p.m.
Lunch will be served.
Free, but space is limited.
~ National Executive Board Annual Meeting, October 6, Saturday, and October 7, Sunday
The National Executive Board (NEB), the governing body of the NWU, will hold its annual meeting October 6 and 7, Saturday and Sunday. This involves the National Executive Committee, all chapter chairs, co-chairs, and the national newsletter editor. This year's agenda will include a budget discussion and priorities for 2013, chapter reports, and a review of current campaigns. A reception will be held Sunday, October 7 from 6-8 p.m. at the NWU/UAW 12th Floor Conference Room, 256 West 38th Street (between Seventh and Eighth Avenues), Manhattan. All members welcome at the reception.
~ Tribute to Revolutionary Poets: Pablo Neruda & Louis Reyes Rivera, October 25, Thursday
Celebrate the life's work of our late chair, Louis Reyes Rivera, at the Brecht Forum. The NY Chapter was asked to help organize this tribute to Louis. By teaming Louis with Neruda, the Brecht Forum is honoring Louis as the world-class poet he was. Even though the NY Chapter held its own tribute to Louis in July, we hope members will turn out for this bilingual event.
The Brecht Forum, 451 West Street, Manhattan
7-9 p.m.
Donations accepted at the door. For more information: (212) 242-4201, or contact Tim Sheard: (212) 254-0279 X7.
7. A Note from the Editor
If you have attended an NWU event and wish to share your experience, please send your copy by the 25th of the month and we will publish the first 250 words in BTL, with a link to the remainder of the article on the NWU/NY website. We will also post a link to your website highlighting your work.
Please note: We cannot use reprints (and accompanying photos) without written permission from the publisher or copyright owner. The permission must accompany the submission of your article and/or photograph to Between the Lines. We will be posting our submission guidelines shortly on the NY Chapter website.
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