I'm inspired by Brandon and Bryan's interpretation of Labor Day, so inspired that I dusted off this 'ole post. It's not nearly as entertaining as A Beer for the Shower's, but I'm rushed by a surge of pro-labor adrenaline. Enjoy!~~~~
That’s me on the left of each photo. I was a hell-raiser back in 1998...and once since then. Wink. I helped organize this strike, was a union steward, published a
chapter newsletter, and participated in contract negotiations. During
one shining moment of said negotiations, the CEO interrupted me, and I
abruptly asserted, "I don't appreciate being interrupted." She shut-up.
We were flying high, until we caved two days later. All was not lost. I wrote the warmhearted song to follow. To appreciate this diddy, you should know that: (1) the CEO had an unusual frame, involving big hips and a tiny waist, and (2) she was impeached by her own peers a few years later.
Before the song, a shout-out to laborers everywhere. I remain grateful to workers who gave their lives for the cause of an 8 hour day and 40 hour week.
We Will Survive
aka Ode to a Big-Hipped WomanSung to the Tune of Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive
When first we saw her hips, we were mystified.
Kept wonderin,’ “How could anyone with legs so small have hips so wide?”
We spent oh so many months just as polite as we could be.
We were flying high, until we caved two days later. All was not lost. I wrote the warmhearted song to follow. To appreciate this diddy, you should know that: (1) the CEO had an unusual frame, involving big hips and a tiny waist, and (2) she was impeached by her own peers a few years later.
Before the song, a shout-out to laborers everywhere. I remain grateful to workers who gave their lives for the cause of an 8 hour day and 40 hour week.
We Will Survive
aka Ode to a Big-Hipped WomanSung to the Tune of Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive
When first we saw her hips, we were mystified.
Kept wonderin,’ “How could anyone with legs so small have hips so wide?”
We spent oh so many months just as polite as we could be.
Now we’re venting our frustrations for all the world to see
That her ego, we’ll stand no more! She’s power tripping, and her tactics we abhor!
-CEO's name- is the one who deceives us with her lies.
Does she think we’re stupid? Does she think we’ll give up all our rights?
VERSION 1, BEFORE FINAL VOTE
No, no, we won’t! We’ve too much pride.
Oh, as long as we put up a fight, we’ve justice on our side.
We’ll show that big-hipped woman that we’re not afraid to strike, and we will fight
Until she does us right.
We’re unified. We are 535! Hey, Hey!
That her ego, we’ll stand no more! She’s power tripping, and her tactics we abhor!
-CEO's name- is the one who deceives us with her lies.
Does she think we’re stupid? Does she think we’ll give up all our rights?
VERSION 1, BEFORE FINAL VOTE
No, no, we won’t! We’ve too much pride.
Oh, as long as we put up a fight, we’ve justice on our side.
We’ll show that big-hipped woman that we’re not afraid to strike, and we will fight
Until she does us right.
We’re unified. We are 535! Hey, Hey!
VERSION 2, AFTER FINAL VOTE:
Look what we did; we changed our minds.
We voted for the money and set principles aside.
We showed that big-hipped woman that she can buy us out.
And so we pout, ‘cuz we ain’t got no clout.
We broke our stride, and we got fried
By someone who’s really wide. Hey, Hey!
Happy Labor Day, to those who get the day off. A good new week, to you all! xo
