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Memo to modern short attention spaniels: This front page is chronological, the site map is categorical.
SITE NAVIGATION TIP: When all else fails, read the instructions
(A favorite John Hanks aphorism I've been using for decades)

Updated 11-30-2022 GMT

Hope you and yours enjoy Happy High Holly Days
Christmas/Kwanzaa/Solstice/Festivus/Chanukah/Thanksgibleting
Feliz Navidad, próspero año y felicidad
HAPPY NEW YEAR / Feliz Año Nuevo / Felice Anno Nuovo
Frohe Weihnachten und beste Wuensche fuer 2022
Vaxx up, stay safe, pray for Ukraine and 53 other currently war-torn lands.

Breaking News & then some

The Circle Game
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 11-30-2022

Déjà vu all over again. And again.
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 11-23-2022

TRANSIT STRIKES MAY SPREAD TO NEVADA

The Barbwire Blue-footed Booby Prizes
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 11-16-2022 / UPDATED

Help wanted: athletes wounded on toxic turf
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 11-9-2022

Happy Hallowe'en / All Hallows Eve
All Souls Day/All Saints Day
Dia de los Muertos
Nevada Day

Breaking News & Bulletins
Nevada mines unsafe, UPS & healthcare workers likewise

Do something even if it's wrong?
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 11-2-2022

ATTEMPTED MURDER: The Pelosis & a Haunted America
By Maureen Dowd / NYTimes.com 10-28-2022

Taxpayers hit for more than quarter-million $ in illegal firing of Reno-Sparks transit worker
By Bob Conrad / ThisIsReno.com 10-28-2022
MORE

BERNIE IS BACK!
Sen. Sanders returns to Nevada to campaign

Sen. Bernie Sanders visits Reno ahead of midterms
rgj.com 10-29-2022 / Reno Gazette-Journal 10-30-2022

UPDATE: Bernie spoke at 12Noon Friday, 10-28-22 at Reno High School.

UPDATE 10-26-2022: According to KRNV TV-4, Bernie will speak at 12Noon Friday, 10-28 at Reno High School.

The man returns! Bernie Sanders coming soon to Reno and Las Vegas
Seeking to energize younger voters, the most enthusiastic Donkeykongs
By Shane Goldmacher & Katie Glueck / New York Times 10-20-2022

The kids are alright!
GOP gains edge among all voters save 18-44 year-olds
By Shane Goldmacher / New York Times 10-17-2022

Count all votes by hand? Not the best idea.
Featuring authentic Cow County Nevada bull
By Maggie Astor / New York Times 10-20-2022

Republican moonhowlers plot 2023 revenge
By Chris Stein / The Guardian/UK 10-21-2022

Bernie with Barbano and Nevada union sisters and brothers
"I've still got my Bernie '16 bumper sticker in my office window" — Andrew Barbano / CWA 9413

EXCLUSIVE—>Hush Hush!
Coming shortly via Barbwire Confidential: Crashing the Republican Party's party
Get in on the action —> Subscribe today at BallotBoxing.US

Campaign '22: The good, the bad & the ugly

Bobbing for French Fries
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 10-26-2022

Laxalt dances on Brianna Denison's grave
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 10-19-2022

Stop taking them stupid pills
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 10-12-2022

Underwater at Crunch Time
Mlle. Mayor's wet t-shirt contest
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 10-5-2022

Fight like a Guerrilla Gorilla
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 9-28-2022

Murder, mayhem & rape R Us
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 9-21-2022
TWO MAJOR UNION EVENTS TODAY

Truth in Advertising 101
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 9-14-2022

Of giants, legends & lessers
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 9-7-2022

STAY TUNED

CELEBRATE LABOR DAY at Reno's Idlewild Park, 11:00a.m.-4:00p.m. this Monday. Years ago, I recommended that union leaders bail out of Virginia City which had allowed its Labor Day parade to become a celebration of the Confederacy. I'm glad to see the new Laborfest. Live music, food trucks, beer garden, kids zone and a huge Mother Jones inflatable to scare the children. Info at RenoLaborFest.com/

Robbing Peter to Play Paul
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 8-31-2022

Just a closer walk with thee — politically
AFL-CIO SUPERWALK 9:00a.m. SATURDAY 8/27
Starts in Sparks

Dirty cellos playing oxymorons for peccadillos
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 8-24-2022

Trump & Khomeini: Soul-less Brothers
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 8-17-2022

For Sale: Unsafe at any speed, $40,000
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 8-10-2022

NLV council rules against putting rent cap proposal on ballot
Next step for Culinary Union Local 226 initiative: Court
Sen. Joe Neal sorely missed on his home turf
Much more at Rentvolution.org
By Jessica Hill / Las Vegas Sun / 8-5-2022

DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE?
Be careful what you Make-A-Wish for
Hot August Nights auctioning a death trap for charity
By Faith Evans / Reno Gazette-Journal front page / 8-4-2022
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 8-10-2022

Outlive them all
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 8-3-2022

How to live forever
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 7-27-2022

Nevada: Company town, corporate dumpster
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 7-20-2022

Attorney and former Reno-Sparks NAACP President Jeffrey Blanck has passed away. Memorial service expected in Reno. More as information arrives. May our friend Jeff rest in peace.

The wages of sin
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 7-13-2022

Poison Annie's Revenge Executed
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 7-6-2022

The Fall of Camelot
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 6-29-2022

Fight back against white elephants
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 6-22-2022

SORE LOSERS: Transit system loses legal actions
Taxpayers hit with hundreds of thousands in costs while rewarding chief executive
"Keolis and their mouthpiece, RTC, spare no expense at losing"— Gary Watson, Teamsters 533 President
U-News June 17, 2022 / Turn on, tune in and tell a friend

Eagles, chickens & Treasongate turkeys
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 6-15-2022

War in Moderation?

Stealing from starving babies
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 6-8-2022

Holding guns to our heads
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 6-1-2022

Veteran Nevada newsman John Howe dies at home at 93

The awful truth for the rudely scrude
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 5-25-2022

Ripoffs, rake-offs, rape & pillage
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the 5-18-2022 Sparks Tribune/ Updated 5-19-2022 GMT

The abortion solution
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Sparks Tribune 5-11-2022

¡FELIZ CINCO DE MAYO!

Barbwire by Barbano: 4-20, 4-27 & 5-4-2022
Rent control legal under Nevada law
LET THEM EAT MASKS
Sparks-Reno superspreadators give booby bus boss big bucks
+FIREFIGHTERS ENDANGER E.R. PATIENTS
+ Nevada poisoning pigeons (and kids) in parks


War in moderation?
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 4-13-2022

Going out of business in style
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 4-6-2022

¡Feliz cumpleaños César Chávez! / Happy Birthday, hermano!
Born 3-31-1927 / Nevada's official César Chávez Day
César Chávez, spinmeisters and hatemongers
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 3-30-2022
Updated 3-31 and 4-1-2022 GMT

Sexy ways to commit societal suicide
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 3-23-2022

THURSDAY 3-24: Culinary Union rally over unfair IRS tip allocation rates

Workers win, abusive contractor loses. Again.
KEOLIS TRANSIT SIGNS SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT ON MORE LABOR VIOLATIONS
40 National Labor Relations Board Charges Settled in Teamsters Union Favor
March 17, 2022 / Updated 3-21-2022
The Hat Trick Strikes in pictures

How Renown stole our county hospital
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 3-16-2022

Oil Ain't All That's Rigged
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 3-9-2022

Eve of Destruction
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 3-2-2022
UPDATE: A humane no-death path toward peace with a little help from God. And the plague.

David Toll: Compleatly Nevadian
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 2-23-2022

Fresh glances at last, best chances
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 2-16-2022

Prolific Nevada author and publisher David Toll dies at 85
Constructed and launched NevadaLabor.com in 1996


DÉJÀ VU ALL OVER AGAIN— St. Mary's registered nurses picket hospital Friday, 2-11-2022 1:00 .m PST

Rise of the Homotextuals
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 2-9-2022

Culinary Union celebrates 30th anniversary of Frontier Hotel strike
Caesars Palace / Las Vegas Strip / Saturday 2-5-2022

Treasure the age of the republic's wane
We carry on with business as usual as we treasure the remaining time in our democracy's decline.
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 2-2-2022

Up your UPS in Sparks

Demonstrations at UPS Sparks

Teamsters demonstrate in Nevada & California
Interview with Local 533 CEO Debbie Calkins
KRNV TV-4 & KRXI TV-11 / 1-27-2022
KTVN TV-2 video

Teamsters protest potential pay cut for UPS part-timers
Lotsa photos + audio / ThisIsReno.com 1-28-2022

Actions across Northern California and Nevada protest UPS pay cut move
Teamsters Joint Council 7 / 1-27-2022

Teamsters Local 533 will hold a day of action in support of our Teamster membership working at United Parcel Service (UPS). This action will take place at all UPS facilities in Northern California and Northern Nevada, in peaceful support of our members who just recently were forced to take a massive pay reduction while United Parcel Service has been raking in billions of quarterly profits. (See above.)

Times: 8:30am to 10am & 4pm to 6pm
Date: January 27, 2022
Location: UPS Facility – 45 Vista Blvd. Suite 102, Sparks NV 89434

For more information contact
Teamsters 533 CEO Debbie Calkins (775) 348-6060 ext. 105
Business Agent Ross Kinson (775) 348-6060 ext. 106

NevadaLabor.com Teamsters Local 533 War Room
including complete local coverage of 1997 UPS national strike

Labor movement is popular, prominent — and shrinking
Membership has fallen even as support for unions grows
Public sector in great shape. Corporate penetration sux.
By Taylor Johnston / New York Times Business (newspapers don't have labor sections anymore) 1-29-2022
Excellent charts and graphs in the above

Rittenhouse in Reno & rationality in Sparks?
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 1-26-2022

What black people won't say
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 1-19-2022

Ghosts of Mississippi, Lani Guiniere & U.S. Grant
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 1-12-2022

STORIES WITH LEGS
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 1-5-2022

"I wept because I had no shoes until I saw a man who had no feet"


On the smoky streets of Reno

SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER
Left to right: Cindy Davidson, Logan & Michael Lansborough.
Cindy and Michael are union bus operators.


     "My son Logan, in the wheelchair, was born with congenital absence of the tibia. At 17 months, Logan had an operation to amputate his legs. When Keolis first took over the (transit system managment) contract, I was trying to get Logan some new prosthetic legs when the company making the legs informed me that the insurance company informed them that I had been terminated while Keolis continued to collect my premiums. I had never missed work other than doctors appointments." —  Michael Lansborough

FROM BARBWIRE BY BARBANO / SPARKS TRIBUNE / 1-5-2022

HELP DAD AND THE KIDS. Logan Lansborough was the poster child of the Hat Trick Strikes, all three won to national acclaim against Keolis-19 last year by Teamsters Local 533.

Logan is 10 and picketed the mass transit system from his wheelchair last summer.

"He couldn't wait to get back on the line even in the heat," his father Michael, a union coach operator and Sparks resident told me. (Photos at NevadaLabor.com/)

 "My son was born with congenital absence of the tibia. At 17 months, Logan had an operation to amputate his legs," dad Michael said. "When Keolis first took over the (bus system management) contract, I was trying to get Logan some new prosthetic legs when the company making the legs informed me that the insurance company informed them that I had been terminated while Keolis continued to collect my premiums. I had never missed work other than doctors appointments."

Alas, Michael Lansborough had little time to savor his union's victory. He's now on the beach and facing major surgery.

"One of my shop stewards has a serious medical condition and will be missing quite a bit of time from work," fellow bus driver Mike Humes informed me.

"Michael Lansborough is the sole provider for his family. Some of my (union) sisters have started a GoFundMe page to help him and his family during this difficult time. Please share this so we can help our brother out," Brother Humes added.

Here is the link <https://gofund.me/7eae2ed0> Be generous.

If you would like to help by check, make it payable to Michael Lansborough and send to his attention at Teamsters Local 533, 1190 Selmi Drive, Suite 100, Reno NV 89512.

Mr. Lansborough shortly faces major surgery. Join me in donating. Please. AB

UPDATE 9-30-2022: Mike Lansborough has recoved and returned to work. The family of union brother Mike Guerra (1956-2022) needs your help today. (Sparks Tribune 9-28-2022)

Transit bosses illegally cut service to seniors and disabled...

While Logan rallied his dad and his supporters for justice

HOT AUGUST STRIKE 2021 — Logan Lansborough and his fellow trade unionists taking the heat and bringing heat to the streets of Reno in the quest for workplace dignity and fairness. All supporters were invited to pick up a sign and join them any day and into the evening at the downtown bus station, 200 E. 4th Street, Reno 89501.

Driver Mike Guerra (1956-2022) appears at left. His family needs your help today. (Sparks Tribune 9-28-2022)

HAT TRICK: Teamsters mass transit 3-strike wins named 2021 top story
Union "out-messaged" foreign bus management contractor
By Bob Conrad / ThisIsReno.com / 12-30-2021

NEVADA STILL A COMPANY TOWN
Gross mining mega-merger turns gold to dross for tribes, workers & environment
The Nevada Independent and High Country News / 1-3-2022

Feliz Navidad, próspero año y felicidad
TRUE OR FALSE:
1. Jesus of Nazareth had blue eyes and blonde hair.
2. Buddha is a Christian saint.
3. Christianity existed more than 600 years before Jesus.

If you missed all three, you really need to read on.

Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 12-29-2021

Betty J. Barbano
2-7-1941 / 12-27-2005
Remember her kindness and laughter

Happy High Holly Days to all
Merry Christmas/Kwanzaa/Solstice/Festivus/Chanukah/Thanksgibleting
Feliz Navidad, próspero año y felicidad
Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année !
HAPPY NEW YEAR / Feliz Año Nuevo / Felice Anno Nuovo
Frohe Weihnachten und beste Wuensche fuer 2022

Death Panels for Christmas
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 12-22-2021

You will remember the Ides of December
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 12-15-2021

The Cure for What Ails Us, Part IV
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 12-8-2021

11-30-2021
St. Andrew's Day in Scotland & BarbwireLand
Be well. Raise hell. Stay safe. Ciao

Agreement ends Bus Strike 3
Did St. Andrew intervene?
(The contract agreement was announced on St. Andrew's Day.)
Trending downward even before strikes, driver numbers now down 50%. No return to full service soon.

I want my $10,000.00, dammit!
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 12-1-2021

Happy Thanksgibleting: Grueling gruel from the cruel
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 11-24-2021

 

Striking picketers fired on in Reno
4 of 6 hit with rock salt & BB-gun rounds
Bus strikers continue to refuse three-year pay cut

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
GARY WATSON, President
Teamsters Union Local 533
(775) 348-6060 ext. 104
Links, recent archives & 3+ decades of Teamsters/RTC history at NevadaLabor.com

RENO, Nev. USA (November 19, 2021 / 17:24:22 PST) — Six Teamsters Union picketers were fired upon in downtown Reno at about 4:50 p.m. PST (00:50 GMT 11-20). Four were hit while marching in the proximity of the E. 4th Street bus terminal in the hotel/casino district. The shots were fired from a red pickup truck.

"I told my members to call 911 and immediately informed Reno Police Chief Jason Soto and Deputy Chief Tom Robinson," stated Teamsters Local 533 President Gary Watson.

"Even supposedly non-lethal rounds can do serious damage, especially to someone's eyes," Watson said.

Reno Police are on scene right now and the union has been informed that the pickup's rider(s) may be shooting at others in the downtown area.

The union went on strike a third time in four months when the Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County's foreign contractor insisted on a non-negotiable below-inflation pay scale which would amount to a three-year pay cut.

BB found on site of picketers assault on November 19

Local 533 has represented Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County transit system employees since 1987. Chartered in 1934, Teamsters Local 533 represents about 2,200 workers in various trades throughout northern Nevada and eastern California, including about 200 RTC/Keolis workers. The three dozen-plus member unions of the Northern Nevada Central Labor Council/AFL-CIO voted for strike sanctions before the Hot August Strike. They supported the second work stoppage during "Striketober" and have done so again with Strike 3 now on the streets.

The United Labor Agency of Nevada has helped arrange a strike fund. Please send checks to United Labor Agency of Nevada, 1201 N. Decatur Blvd. Suite 106, Las Vegas, NV 89108; Attn: Teamsters Keolis Strike. OR...

HELP THE STRIKERS. PLEASE DONATE TO THE STRIKE FUND Online

Sign the FIRE KEOLIS petition

RTC Washoe Contact Information — Utilize frequently

The Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County is comprised of Sparks Mayor Ed Lawson (R), Washoe County Commissioners Vaughn Hartung (R) and Bob Lucey (R); Reno City Councilmembers Oscar Delgado (D) and Neoma Jardon, (R), board chair. RTC board e-mail <rtcpubliccomments@rtcwashoe.com>, bthomas@rtcwashoe.com (RTC Executive Director Bill Thomas),

HIGHLIGHT, COPY AND PASTE
delgadoo@reno.gov (Reno Councilmember Oscar Delgado-D),
vhartung@washoecounty.us (Washoe County Commissioner Vaughn Hartung-R),
jardonn@reno.gov (Reno Councilmember/RTC Chair Neoma Jardon-R),
elawson@cityofsparks.us (Sparks Mayor Ed Lawson-R),
blucey@washoecounty.us (County Commissioner Bob Lucey-R),
bthomas@rtcwashoe.com (RTC Executive Director Bill Thomas),
rtcpubliccomments@rtcwashoe.com (RTC board e-mail),

Teamsters Union 533 Strike War Room

CWA 9413/AFL-CIO
Y11/19 ShotsFired/Strike3/Keolis-19/ibt/Unews/opsn21


-30-

 

Ghosts of Christmas past bite us on the ass