Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Why workers are striking, how to navigate back-in-the-office etiquette
More than 30,000 Kaiser Permanente workers along the West Coast are expected to walk off the job on November 15, citing staffing and safety concerns. John Deere and Kellogg’s employees have been striking for weeks.
By Madeleine Brand • • 49m ListenMore than 30,000 Kaiser Permanente workers along the West Coast are expected to walk off the job on November 15, citing staffing and safety concerns. John Deere and Kellogg’s employees have been striking for weeks.
“There's kind of this sense among workers across the United States that … they're owed big time because they worked so heroically during the pandemic. … They're also encouraged that, ‘Hey, we have President Joe Biden, who is clearly the most pro-worker, pro-union president since Franklin Roosevelt in the 1930s,’” says Steven Greenhouse, author of “Beaten Down, Worked Up: The Past, Present, and Future of American Labor.”
For those who are still working — and back at the office — Press Play gets tips on navigating potentially awkward moments with coworkers you haven’t seen in a long time.
Tourists are now allowed to come into the U.S. if they show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test taken within three days of their travel date. What does this mean for the holidays and economy?
Finally, Justine Bateman talks about her directorial debut, “Violet,” which focuses on a Hollywood producer who’s battling the negative voices in her head.
In this episode
4 storiesUS workers are striking, from Kaiser to John Deere and Kellogg’s. What’s empowering them?
“There's kind of this sense among workers across the United States that … they're owed big time because they worked so heroically during the pandemic. … They're also encouraged that, ‘Hey, we have President Joe Biden, who is clearly the most pro-worker, pro-union president since Franklin Roosevelt in the 1930s,’” says Steven Greenhouse, author of “Beaten Down, Worked Up."
Read the story13 minUS reopens border to COVID-free tourists. What does it mean for economy and holiday travel?
Major cities in the U.S. are about to see a rebound, including LA, SF, and NY. The country's busiest airport is now LAX, which could mean longer lines during the holiday season, says global tourism reporter Lebawit “Lily” Girma.
Read the story10 minFeeling awkward back at the office? Tips to navigate greetings, distractions, productivity
If a coworker isn't wearing a mask indoors when they're supposed to, columnist Rachel Feintzeig advises, “You can say, ‘I have a kid at home who can't be vaccinated yet, I have a high-risk family member. Can you just put on a mask?’ You can also say … ‘My kids are in school, they have a ton of exposure, I don't want to get you sick, it's for your safety to put on a mask.’”
Read the story9 minHollywood producer learns to fight her inner demons in Justine Bateman’s ‘Violet’
Justine Bateman quickly became a star when the sitcom “Family Ties” debuted in 1982. She played the sweet but vain teenage daughter, Mallory. At age 16, Bateman was beamed into homes nationwide when there was no Netflix, Disney Channel, or YouTube.
Read the story17 min
