Women\u27s Ways of Organizing: A Conversation with AFSCME Organizers Kris Rondeau and Gladys McKenzie

[Excerpt] Their signs declare: We believe in ourselves. They speak about values: we cut our apples in half and share them; those who are strong carry those who are weaker until they can become stronger They talk about emotional connections; commitment from both the head and heart. They talk about constantly learning. They talk about telling stories; listening; forming relationships. If you think those words have nothing to do with union organizing, think again. Over 6600 clerical and technical workers—at one of the nation\u27s most prestigious private universities and one of the largest public universities in the country—have organized guided by this kind of talking union. Those 6600 workers are now members of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)

Home-Made Organizing: CWA\u27s Strategy in the South Relies on the Folks Who Live There

[Excerpt] The CWA\u27s got some down-home organizing cooking down South. Unlike other organizing in the South where the workforce is either predominantly black or white, CWA\u27s targeted workforce in the public sector is composed of black and white workers. The CWA is not new in the South: there are 160,000 CWA members in the region — nearly one quarter of the union\u27s entire membership — 80% of whom are based in the private sector. How do you organize a local composed of black and white workers in the South? LRR Editor Lisa Oppenheim turned to Marilyn Haith, organizer for CWA\u27s District 3 which is composed of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, Florida, and Louisiana

Labor Bookshelf

[Excerpt] If there were one book I\u27d recommend to individuals who are excited by this issue of LRR, it would be Myles Horton\u27s autobiography, The Long Haul. Horton founded the Highlander Folk School in Appalachia in 1932 to provide education for people in his region committed to democratic social change. He is probably best known for his work in the civil rights movement, but actually his work began in the early days of the CIO

Stem cell‐derived enteroid cultures as a tool for dissecting host‐parasite interactions in the small intestinal epithelium.

Toxoplasma gondii and Cryptosporidium spp. can cause devastating pathological effects in humans and livestock, and in particular to young or immunocompromised individuals. The current treatment plans for these enteric parasites are limited due to long drug courses, severe side effects, or simply a lack of efficacy. The study of the early interactions between the parasites and the site of infection in the small intestinal epithelium has been thwarted by the lack of accessible, physiologically relevant, and species-specific models. Increasingly, 3D stem cell-derived enteroid models are being refined and developed into sophisticated models of infectious disease. In this review we shall illustrate the use of enteroids to spearhead research into enteric parasitic infections, bridging the gap between cell line cultures and in vivo experiments

Limits to modern contraceptive use among young women in developing countries: a systematic review of qualitative research

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Improving the reproductive health of young women in developing countries requires access to safe and effective methods of fertility control, but most rely on traditional rather than modern contraceptives such as condoms or oral/injectable hormonal methods. We conducted a systematic review of qualitative research to examine the limits to modern contraceptive use identified by young women in developing countries. Focusing on qualitative research allows the assessment of complex processes often missed in quantitative analyses.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Literature searches of 23 databases, including Medline, Embase and POPLINE^®, were conducted. Literature from 1970–2006 concerning the 11–24 years age group was included. Studies were critically appraised and meta-ethnography was used to synthesise the data.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of the 12 studies which met the inclusion criteria, seven met the quality criteria and are included in the synthesis (six from sub-Saharan Africa; one from South-East Asia). Sample sizes ranged from 16 to 149 young women (age range 13–19 years). Four of the studies were urban based, one was rural, one semi-rural, and one mixed (predominantly rural). Use of hormonal methods was limited by lack of knowledge, obstacles to access and concern over side effects, especially fear of infertility. Although often more accessible, and sometimes more attractive than hormonal methods, condom use was limited by association with disease and promiscuity, together with greater male control. As a result young women often relied on traditional methods or abortion. Although the review was limited to five countries and conditions are not homogenous for all young women in all developing countries, the overarching themes were common across different settings and contexts, supporting the potential transferability of interventions to improve reproductive health.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Increasing modern contraceptive method use requires community-wide, multifaceted interventions and the combined provision of information, life skills, support and access to youth-friendly services. Interventions should aim to counter negative perceptions of modern contraceptive methods and the dual role of condoms for contraception and STI prevention should be exploited, despite the challenges involved.</p

Home-Made Organizing: CWA's Strategy in the South Relies on the Folks Who Live There

[Excerpt] The CWA's got some down-home organizing cooking down South. Unlike other organizing in the South where the workforce is either predominantly black or white, CWA's targeted workforce in the public sector is composed of black and white workers. The CWA is not new in the South: there are 160,000 CWA members in the region — nearly one quarter of the union's entire membership — 80% of whom are based in the private sector. How do you organize a local composed of black and white workers in the South? LRR Editor Lisa Oppenheim turned to Marilyn Haith, organizer for CWA's District 3 which is composed of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, Florida, and Louisiana.Issue_20____Article_17.pdf: 194 downloads, before Oct. 1, 2020

Women's Ways of Organizing: A Conversation with AFSCME Organizers Kris Rondeau and Gladys McKenzie

[Excerpt] Their signs declare: "We believe in ourselves." They speak about values: we cut our apples in half and share them; those who are strong carry those who are weaker until they can become stronger They talk about emotional connections; commitment from both the head and heart. They talk about constantly learning. They talk about telling stories; listening; forming relationships. If you think those words have nothing to do with union organizing, think again. Over 6600 clerical and technical workers—at one of the nation's most prestigious private universities and one of the largest public universities in the country—have organized guided by this kind of talking union. Those 6600 workers are now members of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).Issue_18____Article_6.pdf: 1707 downloads, before Oct. 1, 2020