Sunday, October 17, 2010
AMERICAN ANARCHIST MOVEMENT MINNEAPOLIS:
RNC (FOUR) AGREE TO PLEA BARGAIN:
This the latest from the Defend the RNC 8 group. The four remaining defendants will likely enter a plea bargain next Tuesday. What this means the future will tell. Here's the story.
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Important Update on the RNC 8 Case:
New Hearing Tuesday 10/19 at 9am
Dear supporters near and far,
It is with strong and mixed emotions that we bring important news: there appears to be a major change in the cases of the four remaining RNC 8 defendants--Garrett, Max, Nathanael and Rob. The four have tentatively reached a plea agreement with prosecutors, likely avoiding trial. The agreement, if it goes according to plan, significantly reduces the charge, calls for favorable sentencing, and is non-cooperating.
We wish to thank you for being there for the 8 and for us all along. You raised funds, raised consciousness of the fight against criminalization of dissent, and raised the next generation of rebels and revolutionaries to keep the struggle going. You were there at the jail vigil and the very first hearings; you were there in the kitchen and the dining room at our community meals; you were there at our rallies and actions. You were there at meetings, you were there at fundraisers, and you were there in the courtroom, through thick and thin.
Now, please be there in the courtroom for what we expect to be one final time:
* When: Tuesday, October 19, at 9am
* Where: Ramsey County Courthouse, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul
Check our updates or the monitors in room 131 for the courtroom number. Please stay afterwards for a press conference and address immediately upon conclusion of the hearing.
We understand this news may well be surprising. Many of us feel the same and much, much more, but above all, we personally support all the defendants in their difficult decision and will continue to support them through whatever hurdles remain. We will release more information, analysis and logistical updates to you all after details are confirmed on Tuesday. We ask that, until then, speculation or rumor be kept to a minimum.
Again, thank you for your continued support and struggle.
In solidarity,
the RNC 8 Defense Committee
Labels: American anarchist movement, court cases, Defend the RNC 8, RNC, USA
Thursday, September 16, 2010
AMERICAN LABOUR:
MOTTS STRIKE ENDS VICTORY OR DEFEAT ?:
Well the strike at the Motts plant in Williamson New York has finally ended after a vigorous continent wide solidarity campaign. Now Molly can go back to buying Clamato juice by the case. Yum ! The United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) who are the parent union of the RWDSU who represent the Motts workers are 'declaring victory". Here is their statement from the Canadian website.
MWMWMWMWMW
Mott’s strike ends in victory
The four-month strike by three hundred RWDSU-UFCW Local 220 members at a Mott’s bottling plant in upstate New York has come to a successful conclusion.
Workers at the plant, owned by the Dr Pepper Snapple Group (DPS), have ratified a new collective bargaining agreement by a margin of 3 to 1.
“This is a very important victory for our Local 220 brothers and sisters,” said UFCW Canada National President Wayne Hanley. “Their resolve was reinforced by the solidarity and support of UFCW International and UFCW Canada members and local unions across North America through their letters, petitions and boycott of DPS products.”
More than 300 members work at the Mott’s plant in Williamson, New York. With the successful conclusion of the strike, the campaign to boycott DPS products has also come to an end. The conclusion of the work stoppage also marked the end of UFCW Canada's very successful No to Clamato/Down with Caesar campaign, which was widely received by Canadians across the country.
"Our brothers and sisters in Canada were a key part of this fight," says RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum. "The donations to the hardship fund we received from Canadians, the support of Members of Parliament, and innovative campaigns like UFCW Canada's "No to Clamato/Down with Caesar" petition drive - all of these things helped Local 220 members know that they were not alone as they fought for good middle class jobs. We are grateful to our brothers and sisters in the UFCW."
MWMWMWMWMW
All, however, is not wine and roses in this agreement. It is, I guess, expected that the unions involved would blow their own horns about "victory". Expected yes, but is it either useful or desirable ? This fault called in old-fashioned language "triumphalism" is hardly restricted to unions or the business world in general. It is a widely spread human tendency. Where it becomes harmful is where the disconnect from reality is so great that pretty well anyone other than a protagonist can see the discrepancy. In such cases the claims do little other than discredit the claimant. This is where it becomes undesirable. It becomes a hindrance ie not useful when it prevents the protagonist from dispassionately analyzing what went wrong and what went right and making future plans. be my guest to judge where the union proclamations of "victory" fall in this case.
Many others outside of those immediately involved have opined that the strike was less than a clear victory. I could quote many sources, but here is a particularly good one from Mike Elk in the Huffington Post. This has been a long running theme on this blog. Truth is usually a messy affair in which one side is never always either right or good. After many years of being "on one side" I have come to accept it as a truism that many on my own side may exaggerate, lie or even be simply out to lunch. In this case I would personally definitely support the Motts strikers, but I don't see the usefulness of lieing and pretending that they achieved an unsullied victory.
MWMWMWMWMW
Was the Mott's Strike "Victory" Really a Victory?
While organized labor spends close to $100 million to propel Democrats to victory in November, members of the Retail, Wholesale, Department Store Union/UFCW (RWDSU/UFCW) Local 220 on Monday won perhaps labor's most important victory of the fall.
The Mott's applesauce plant workers went on strike in Williamson, N.Y., on May 23, after Mott's parent company, the Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, demanded what amounted to a $3,000 per year wage cut for every worker across the board, as well as cuts in pension and healthcare. Companies and unions across the country were watching the Mott Applesauce Strike as a sign of bargaining trends to come. So Monday's settlement is being seen as a "victory" because it stopped profitable companies from demanding wage cuts.
But was the "victory" at Mott's really a victory? For the first time, Mott's workers were forced to accept a two-tier employee structure -- a system that breaks union solidarity over the long run by pitting new hires against older employees. Under the new system, new hires will not have guaranteed pension plans like current workers, but instead have riskier 401(k) plans. Likewise, the company will decrease its matching payments to all retirement plans as well as force employees to pay health care contributions of 20 percent.
As Stephen Franklin reported last week, Snapple argued that because the average worker in the Williamson area was making $14 an hour, while Mott's workers were averaging $21 an hour, Mott's workers should accept wage cuts because the local area contained so many workers who would work for less. Mott's demanded this despite boasting one of its best annual profits on record last year--$550 million, up from $312 million the year before.
As Stuart Appelbaum, president of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), an affiliate of the United Food and Commercial Workers union, said, "This is the first time a very profitable company has come to us and asked for concessions, and I've been with the union for 23 years."
Yes, the new agreement does "restore" wage levels for current employees. But it also freezes them for three years.
One has to wonder how much of a victory this truly is for labor. At a time when Mott's overall profits are increasing, workers wages' should be increasing. By threatening massive wage cuts, Dr. Pepper Snapple Group was able to force the union to accept small benefit concessions and a two-tier employee system that saves Dr Pepper Snapple money.
The fact that a corporation was able to force these concessions on workers while making record profits is a testament to the weakened state of organized labor, and the desperation of American workers.
Follow Mike Elk on Twitter: www.twitter.com/MikeElk
Labels: American labour, labour., Mott's, New York, RWDSU, strike., triumphalism, truth., UFCW, USA
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CHILE USA:
MORE PRESSURE ON KROGER:
Molly has reported before on this blog about the campaign on the part of the American United Farm Workers to apply on Guimarra Vineyards via its customer Kroger. The Kroger supermarket chain claims an ethical code of conduct that it expects its suppliers to adhere to. As the following from the UFW makes plain Guimarra is in violation of this code both in its American operations and also in the 'off season' grapes it obtains from Chile. Conditions for farm workers are abysmal in both countries.
FWFWFWFWFW
Natures Partner Violates Kroger's Code of Conduct in Chile Too
Last week, thousands of farm worker supporters took action to tell the Kroger grocery chain* to hold a particular supplier accountable—Giumarra Vineyards, provider of Nature’s Partner produce.
In its 2010 Sustainability Report, Kroger features a Code of Conduct for its vendors which specifies standards that vendors must be able to demonstrate compliance with. As we demonstrated, Giumarra Vineyards Corporation, with its Nature’s Partner label, is not in compliance.
Now we want to share that these violations don’t stop with the California fields where grapes with the Nature Partner label are produced. The kinds of abuses workers report at Giumarra Vineyards trickle down throughout the company’s supply chain. Chilean companies that provide Giumarra with the off season produce you’ll see on Kroger’s shelves, under the Nature’s Partner label, are also out of compliance with the code.
Chilean field worker Magaly Luna describes the following:
"The first thing they tell you when you arrive at the company is that you can’t complain… they say is that ‘if you fall from the ladder this year you are of no use to me to thin the vine. You are nothing because if you limp, then what use are you? You will climb the vine, it will hurt, then you will get down. If before you made 100 vines, now you will only make 60 vines and will be of no use to me.’
"Another thing is when final paychecks are issued, we are left being owed money. We’re not paid for all of our work. We’re told the accountant will look into it, but nothing ever happens, they just keep our money."
It is clear that Kroger needs to have a much more thorough system for verifying that its suppliers are actually in compliance with its Code of Conduct. And it is important that Kroger not just take these companies’ own word at face value when it comes to verification—worker testimony must be taken into account.
Take action today by clicking on the green "participate" button on the top right and tell Kroger to find out what is really going on out in the ranches that put the food on their shelves.
* The Krogers grocery chain includes Ralphs, Food for Less, Fred Meyer, QFC, Frys, Baker’s, City Market, Dillions, Foods Co, Gerbes, Hilander, JayC Stores, King Soopers, Owen’s Market, Scotts Food & Pharmacy, Smiths Food & Drug, Smith’s Marketplace, Turkey Hill, and more.
Natures Partner Violates Kroger's Code of Conduct in Chile Too
Last week, thousands of farm worker supporters took action to tell the Kroger grocery chain* to hold a particular supplier accountable—Giumarra Vineyards, provider of Nature’s Partner produce.
In its 2010 Sustainability Report, Kroger features a Code of Conduct for its vendors which specifies standards that vendors must be able to demonstrate compliance with. As we demonstrated, Giumarra Vineyards Corporation, with its Nature’s Partner label, is not in compliance.
Now we want to share that these violations don’t stop with the California fields where grapes with the Nature Partner label are produced. The kinds of abuses workers report at Giumarra Vineyards trickle down throughout the company’s supply chain. Chilean companies that provide Giumarra with the off season produce you’ll see on Kroger’s shelves, under the Nature’s Partner label, are also out of compliance with the code.
Chilean field worker Magaly Luna describes the following:
"The first thing they tell you when you arrive at the company is that you can’t complain… they say is that ‘if you fall from the ladder this year you are of no use to me to thin the vine. You are nothing because if you limp, then what use are you? You will climb the vine, it will hurt, then you will get down. If before you made 100 vines, now you will only make 60 vines and will be of no use to me.’
"Another thing is when final paychecks are issued, we are left being owed money. We’re not paid for all of our work. We’re told the accountant will look into it, but nothing ever happens, they just keep our money."
It is clear that Kroger needs to have a much more thorough system for verifying that its suppliers are actually in compliance with its Code of Conduct. And it is important that Kroger not just take these companies’ own word at face value when it comes to verification—worker testimony must be taken into account.
Take action today by clicking on the green "participate" button on the top right and tell Kroger to find out what is really going on out in the ranches that put the food on their shelves.
* The Krogers grocery chain includes Ralphs, Food for Less, Fred Meyer, QFC, Frys, Baker’s, City Market, Dillions, Foods Co, Gerbes, Hilander, JayC Stores, King Soopers, Owen’s Market, Scotts Food & Pharmacy, Smiths Food & Drug, Smith’s Marketplace, Turkey Hill, and more.
FWFWFWFWFW
THE LETTER:
Please go to this link to send the following letter to Kroger management about this violation of their code of ethics.
FWFWFWFWFW
Dear Mr. Dillon,
According to the 2010 Sustainability Report featured on Kroger's website, your company expects its vendors to uphold certain standards. Additionally, the report states that these vendors must provide actual proof of their compliance.
Consumers are becoming increasingly interested in the origins of their food and expect that their grocers are aware of who their suppliers truly are.
I am writing you today to inform you that one of your vendors, The Giumarra Companies with its Nature's Partner label, is not in compliance with your Code of Conduct. Farm workers have indicated there are serious violations both here in the US and also with suppliers who provide Chilean imports. Allegations against Giumarra/Nature's Partner include sexual harassment, wage and hour violations and more.
Because these allegations are so strong and the evidence is mounting, I ask the Kroger Corporation to conduct a very thorough investigation into this company's practices and evaluate the Kroger-Giumarra relationship based on your findings. It is not enough to take this company's word for it--workers are speaking out and we hope Kroger is ready to listen.
Sincerely,
Labels: American labour, Chile, Giumarra Corporation, international labour, Krogers, labour., solidarity., United Farm Workers, USA
Sunday, September 12, 2010
AMERICAN LABOUR OMAHA:
SOLIDARITY WITH OMAHA STARBUCKS WORKERS:
The following appeal for solidarity with Starbucks wobbly workers in Omaha Nebraska comes from the site of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW).
SWSWSWSWSW
Take Action to Defend IWW Baristas in Omaha!
Since Starbucks baristas at the 15th and Douglas store in Omaha announced their membership in the IWW one month ago, Starbucks has unleashed an aggressive union busting campaign on the workers with a particularly extreme effort to intimidate and threaten FW Tyler Swain.
In response to this, all members of the Omaha SWU have voted unanimously to send out an appeal for solidarity to the broader IWW and labor movement. Please show Starbucks that an injury to one is an injury to all by taking the following actions:
1. Call Partner Resources Representative Shari Rugi, (314)607-4180
Shari Rugi is coordinating a campaign of intimidation and harassment against union members at the 15th and Douglas Starbucks. This intimidation has included fabrication of sexual harassment allegations and interrogation of union members at the store over these accusations concocted by management. Furthermore, Shari Rugi as directed the store manager at 15th and Douglas, Missy Kemp, to tighten policy and increase disciplinary actions against workers, in particular against FW Tyler Swain. Rugi has forced Store Manager Missy Kemp to write up FW Tyler Swain twice since going public for alleged violations of policy, contriving allegations of insubordination, and illegally tightening the time and attendance policy. weeks after these alleged violations have occurred. Union members at the 15th and Douglas location have, on multiple occasions, overheard conversations taking place between the store manager, Missy Kemp, and the partner resource manager, Shari Rugi, in which she has insisted FW Swain be written up for these alleged infractions, regardless of the store managers opinion of the events.
It's time to let Shari Rugi know that we as an organization will not tolerate the unfair and discriminatory treatment of public union members, and that we, as a global organization are well aware of her actions.
2. Call District Manager Jennifer Rojas, (402)319-2760
The District Manager has repeatedly disrespected workers in her area.
Based upon this level of disrespect, the final demand in the letter presented to management, including the 15th and Douglas store manager Missy Kemp, district manager Jennifer Rojas, and Regional Director of Operations Brett Battes, was a request that Jennifer Rojas resign from her position. A month after the delivery no mention of this demand has been made, despite targeted attempts to separate public union members from the company. It's time to let Jennifer Rojas know that her disrespect to workers in her area does not go unnoticed, and that she needs to be working for noticeable improvements in the working environment she oversees or resign immediately. Specific demands are:
•the immediate back pay of wages owed to FW Samantha Cole which were promised to her the morning of August 6th in a phone conversation that took place between Jennifer Rojas and Samantha Cole,
•an open and cooperative dialogue between levels of management and the Starbucks Workers Union,
•an open environment for members of the union to organize without fear of retaliation,
•and an increased effort to put into place the district wide 20 percent wage increase that the union is fighting for.
3. Send Letters of Support to the 15th and Douglas Store
We humbly request all union members to send letters directly to the 15th and Douglas store (222 S. 15th St. Omaha Ne. 68102) addressed specifically to The Barista's of the Starbucks Workers Union, as well as a separate letter, jointly addressed to both our Store Manager, Missy Kemp, and our District Manager, Jennifer Rojas. These letters should express support for the public campaign as well as public members in the store, as we fight for improved working conditions that include more reliable scheduling, a safer work environment and better compensation. It would also be appreciated if some attention would be given to our rights to organize as workers, and an immediate stop to all intimidation to public union members on the job.
Thank you for your support and solidarity. Together we will win!
in solidarity,
The Baristas of the Omaha SWU.
Related Links
•IWW Starbucks Workers Union
Take Action to Defend IWW Baristas in Omaha!
Since Starbucks baristas at the 15th and Douglas store in Omaha announced their membership in the IWW one month ago, Starbucks has unleashed an aggressive union busting campaign on the workers with a particularly extreme effort to intimidate and threaten FW Tyler Swain.
In response to this, all members of the Omaha SWU have voted unanimously to send out an appeal for solidarity to the broader IWW and labor movement. Please show Starbucks that an injury to one is an injury to all by taking the following actions:
1. Call Partner Resources Representative Shari Rugi, (314)607-4180
Shari Rugi is coordinating a campaign of intimidation and harassment against union members at the 15th and Douglas Starbucks. This intimidation has included fabrication of sexual harassment allegations and interrogation of union members at the store over these accusations concocted by management. Furthermore, Shari Rugi as directed the store manager at 15th and Douglas, Missy Kemp, to tighten policy and increase disciplinary actions against workers, in particular against FW Tyler Swain. Rugi has forced Store Manager Missy Kemp to write up FW Tyler Swain twice since going public for alleged violations of policy, contriving allegations of insubordination, and illegally tightening the time and attendance policy. weeks after these alleged violations have occurred. Union members at the 15th and Douglas location have, on multiple occasions, overheard conversations taking place between the store manager, Missy Kemp, and the partner resource manager, Shari Rugi, in which she has insisted FW Swain be written up for these alleged infractions, regardless of the store managers opinion of the events.
It's time to let Shari Rugi know that we as an organization will not tolerate the unfair and discriminatory treatment of public union members, and that we, as a global organization are well aware of her actions.
2. Call District Manager Jennifer Rojas, (402)319-2760
The District Manager has repeatedly disrespected workers in her area.
Based upon this level of disrespect, the final demand in the letter presented to management, including the 15th and Douglas store manager Missy Kemp, district manager Jennifer Rojas, and Regional Director of Operations Brett Battes, was a request that Jennifer Rojas resign from her position. A month after the delivery no mention of this demand has been made, despite targeted attempts to separate public union members from the company. It's time to let Jennifer Rojas know that her disrespect to workers in her area does not go unnoticed, and that she needs to be working for noticeable improvements in the working environment she oversees or resign immediately. Specific demands are:
•the immediate back pay of wages owed to FW Samantha Cole which were promised to her the morning of August 6th in a phone conversation that took place between Jennifer Rojas and Samantha Cole,
•an open and cooperative dialogue between levels of management and the Starbucks Workers Union,
•an open environment for members of the union to organize without fear of retaliation,
•and an increased effort to put into place the district wide 20 percent wage increase that the union is fighting for.
3. Send Letters of Support to the 15th and Douglas Store
We humbly request all union members to send letters directly to the 15th and Douglas store (222 S. 15th St. Omaha Ne. 68102) addressed specifically to The Barista's of the Starbucks Workers Union, as well as a separate letter, jointly addressed to both our Store Manager, Missy Kemp, and our District Manager, Jennifer Rojas. These letters should express support for the public campaign as well as public members in the store, as we fight for improved working conditions that include more reliable scheduling, a safer work environment and better compensation. It would also be appreciated if some attention would be given to our rights to organize as workers, and an immediate stop to all intimidation to public union members on the job.
Thank you for your support and solidarity. Together we will win!
in solidarity,
The Baristas of the Omaha SWU.
Related Links
•IWW Starbucks Workers Union
Labels: American labour, IWW, labour., Nebraska, Omaha, solidarity., Starbucks, Starbucks Union, USA
Saturday, September 11, 2010
AMERICAN LABOUR ILLINOIS:
A THING THAT SCABS SHOULDN'T TOUCH:
There are some things that inexperienced and ignorant people just should not touch. One of the biggest things would be a nuclear power plant, but that is exactly what Honeywell did when they hired scabs to replace the employees that they locked out. The predictable result..."ooops". Here's the story from the AFL-CIO blog.
NPNPNPNPNP
Explosion at Honeywell Nuclear Plant Staffed by Strikebreakers
This past weekend, just one day after the federal government allowed Honeywell to start up core production at its uranium enrichment facility in Metropolis, Ill., with replacement workers, an explosion rocked the plant. No one was reported injured, but local union officials say the plant has not been in production since the blast.
For the past two months, union workers, members of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 7-669, have been locked out of the plant after contract negotiations broke down over Honeywell’s demand that workers give up their retiree health care coverage and pension plans. Other issues include management demands to eliminate seniority, contract out about 20 percent of the work at the plant and make changes in overtime pay.
Local 7-669 President Darrell Lillie says negotiations will not resume until Oct. 11. In the meantime, the workers are running a 24/7 picket line. Last month, 3,000 people from four states rallied in support of the locked-out Metropolis workers.
Safety is important at any worksite, but especially at the Metropolis plant. This facility is the only one in the United States that can convert uranium into the extremely deadly UF6, which is used in nuclear reactors. Since it is the only conversion plant of its kind in the country, it is critical that workers in the plant be familiar with that plant.
Lillie says it takes many years to learn the skills needed at the plant and the conversion process is hard to troubleshoot if something goes wrong.
Honeywell CEO David Cote, a member of President Obama’s deficit commission, locked out the 230 workers on June 28, even though they offered to continue working under the terms of their expired contract. Honeywell had proposed eliminating retiree health care and increasing workers’ out-of-pocket health care maximums to $8,500 a year.
In a letter to President Obama, the Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR) asked the president to remove Cote from the commission.
Labels: AFL-CIO Blog, American labour, Honeywell, Illinois, industrial accidents, labour., nuclear power, scabs, United Steel Workers., USA
Wednesday, September 01, 2010
ANARCHIST BOOKFAIRS:
TWIN CITIES ANARCHIST BOOKFAIR:
They're popping up here, there and everywhere; far too many to keep track of. Anarchist Bookfairs have become a favoured method of gathering and exchange between the ever expanding anarchist communities. Here's a new one ( at least I think it's their first ), the 'Twin Cities Anarchist Bookfair' being held on September 11 and 12 in Minneapolis, MN.
Minneapolis is not that far from Winnipeg, 621 km to be exact. The internet says that is 7 hours, 4 minutes driving time. Leadfoot Molly would bet she could make it in 6 easy. The twin cities are actually the closest real city to the dreaded 'Peg'. The even more dreaded Regina is 572 km away, but it takes a certain masochistic impulse to go to Regina for any reason. So, if you're interested Peg People this might actually be a somewhat legitimate excuse to visit Minneapolis and St. Paul. Here's the schedule for the event. Check the website for other details.
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Schedule/Locations
The bookfair will take place at the Powderhorn Park building located at 34th st and 15th ave s., Minneapolis.
Saturday 9/11: Noon-6pm
First Workshop Block: 1-2pm
-EXCO and Anarchist Education
http://www.excotc.org/
Featured Speaker: 2-4pm- Diana Block
Diana Block has been a social justice/feminist activist for forty years. She was a founder of San Francisco Women Against Rape and of the anti-imperialist group Prairie Fire Organizing Committee in the seventies. She spent thirteen years underground in connection with her solidarity activities with the Puerto Rican independence and Black liberation movements, including two years living in Minneapolis. After returning to public life in 1995, she was a founding member of the California Coalition for Women Prisoners, the Jericho Movement and the San Francisco 8 Defense Committee and continues to be active in prison abolitionist work focused on women and transgender prisoners. In 2009 she published her memoir, *Arm the Spirit – A Woman’s Journey Underground and Back.* She lives in San Francisco with her partner, Claude Marks, and has two children.
She will read excerpts from her book and reflect on her experiences.
Featured Speaker: 4-6pm- Cindy Milstein
Cindy Milstein is a board member of the Institute for Anarchist Studies, and a former teacher at the Institute for Social Ecology. She does grassroots political work at home and public speaking anywhere else, and has long been involved in anarchist projects and social movements. She recently released a book on AK Press, “Anarchism and its Aspirations.”
Other Events:
1pm- Anti-War Committee “End the War on Terror” Protest (Hennepin Ave and Lagoon Ave)
7pm- Diana Block at the Friends Meeting House in St. Paul
Sunday 9/12: 2:30- 8pm
First Workshop Block: 3-4pm
-Anarchism and Fiction
-Money: Where do we go from here? Presented by Tony Hunnicut
A full schedule of workshops and speakers will be posted soon.
Other Events:
2pm- Really Really Free Market- Powderhorn Park (by stage)
Labels: anarchism, anarchist bookfairs, anarchist books., books, events, Minneapolis, Twin cities Anarchist Bookfair, USA
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
AMERICAN LABOUR NEW YORK:
MOTTS STRIKE GOES PAST 100 DAY MARK:
Molly has blogged before on the strike at the Motts' production facility in Williamson New York (see here, here, here, here and here). At least one of those posts gathered quite a bit of comment, including a mendacious posting from what I presume was a member of Motts management. Now this strike is beginning to take on epic proportions with national and even international (Canada) repercussions. On the one side is a corporate management that seems determined to live up (down ?) to the classic image of an evil top hatted capitalist, twirling mustache and all, with its CEO making $6.5 million a year and so "devoted" to keeping the company afloat that he was off on a "hunting trip to New Zealand" while the strike was ongoing. On the other side stands what one article in the Nation magazine describes as "gun fans, military veterans and motorcycle riders" ie a selection of ordinary people whom the "left" loves to look down on who are now carrying out the most visible example of class struggle in the USA. With, however, the support of the local community, of union members across the continent and even of some otherwise anti-union politicians this small band of workers may be the test case of whether the corporate ruling class can carry out their full program of 'peonizing' US workers.
MSMSMSMSMS
100 days of fighting the low waging of America:For 100 days, more than 300 Mott’s workers in Williamson, N.Y., have been on strike, fighting the low-waging of America. The Dr Pepper Snapple Group, the corporate conglomerate that owns Mott’s (of apple juice and apple sauce fame) has been trying to cut their pay and benefits—even though the company reported a net income of $555 million in 2009.
Tell Dr Pepper Snapple to back off its corporate greed and treat the Mott’s workers fairly.
Dr Pepper Snapple is taking advantage of the recession and high unemployment rates in the area to beat down the workers, members of RWDSU/UFCW Local 220. A spokesman told The New York Times recently the company’s just trying to take wages down to meet “local industry standards”—in other words, to make recession-era wages the norm.
Dr Pepper Snapple is demanding wage cuts that would amount to $3,000 a year per worker, ending pensions for new hires, cutting the company’s 401(k) retirement contributions and increasing employee health care costs.
This is a 142-year-old company with a product that’s as American as you can get—a company you thought you knew and could trust. It’s a company that symbolizes everything we’re fighting for—and everything we’re fighting against: the low-waging of America.
This strike isn’t just about Williamson, N.Y. As The Times put it, “if the Mott’s workers lose this showdown, it could prompt other profitable companies to push for major labor concessions.”
If America’s economy is going to recover, we need paychecks that can fuel consumption. And if profitable companies are allowed to use the recession to drive America’s middle class out of existence, it’s unconscionable.
Don’t be silent about the low-waging of America. Support the Mott’s workers who have been walking the picket line for 100 days. Act now.
Tell Dr Pepper Snapple to back off its corporate greed and treat the Mott’s workers fairly.
Thank you for taking action for the Mott’s workers and all working families. Please forward this e-mail to at least five friends and urge them to take action, too.
In solidarity,
AFL-CIO Working Families e-Activist Network
P.S. The RWDSU Mott’s Hardship Fund has been established to help aid Mott’s workers affected by the strike. Donations to this fund will be used to help offset hardships being faced by Local 220 members as a result of their strike against the corporate greed of Mott’s/Dr. Pepper Snapple. Please consider making a contribution to the strike fund by clicking here.
MSMSMSMSMS
THE LETTER:
Please copy and paste the following letter, and send it to Motts management at this email address:.
MSMSMSMSMS
Dear Dr Pepper Snapple,
With record-breaking profits, your company has no justification to cut the pay and benefits of the more than 300 Mott’s workers in Williamson, N.Y. In saying you want to bring their wages down to “local industry standards,” you are trying to take advantage of the recession and high unemployment rates to lift your profits even higher.
Your workers deserve better. And so do workers at other profitable companies that might try to follow your shameful example.
Mott’s is a 142-year-old company with a product that’s as American as you can get—a company we all thought we knew and could trust. I hope you realize you are jeopardizing a well-known, well-established and respected brand. That’s a lot to throw away.
I urge you to back off your attack on the Mott’s workers’ wages and benefits and do the right thing.
Labels: AFL-CIO Blog, American labour, labour, Mott's, Mott's strike, New York, RWDSU, solidarity., USA
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
HUMOUR:
THE SAD END OF EMPIRE:
Labels: american empire, cartoons, China, debt, humour, international politics, jokes, USA
Sunday, August 22, 2010
HUMOUR:
FOREIGN AGENTS ABOUND:
Labels: Canada, cartoons, CSIS, foreign agents, humour, jokes, spies, USA
Monday, August 09, 2010
INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY:
THE LEMONADE REVOLT:
The following call to action may be somewhat dated as the latest news from the Oregonian is that the local government there has backed down, and , yes, the little girl can set up her lemonade stand without a "temporary restaurant licence". Her family has even received an apology. Still I reprint the following Facebook call for a "lemonade revolt" because the whole thing is quite instructive.
What do incidents like this say ? To sum it up it's the old adage of "give them an inch and they'll take a mile". By that I mean the supposed "service" agencies of government and their "help". Now it is doubtlessly true that institutions such as health departments do indeed do some useful work though it is possible that what they accomplish could be better done by voluntary non-governmental organizations. Yet it is in the nature of the bureaucratic beast to constantly expand its range of action regardless of whether it is doing its previous job well or not. In other words such organizations are too often quite lax in their original mandate, but you can be assured that they will always be on the prowl for new things to control.
We had a recent incidence of this here in Winnipeg with the sad death of the late lamented "beer snake" (more on this later I hope). The inevitable tendency of any governmental agency to continually expand its range of action is the reason why I am very reluctant to support any new initiative of this sort no matter what the purported benefits and why I am generally not too upset on those rare occasions when the octopus of state control loses its grip on one of its tentacles.
A case in point is the recent abandonment of the compulsory long form census here in Canada. This is one of those rare occasions where I actually approve of an action of our federal government. This change has generated all sorts of opposition ranging from linguistic minorities , academics who will lose their data mines and unions all the way "up" to all those lovely folks that send you junk mail. Approving of this change can easily make you quite unpopular because so many groups have an axe to grind over this, and I'm sure that the data is quite convenient or even necessary for many of those who wish to keep the form. On the other hand the majority of the population who aren't making money or gaining power from using such data are quite thrilled to see this compulsion go. It is a laudable change as it is one less compulsion that the average citizen has to undergo. In the end it speaks volumes about the lack of grassroots democracy in our country that the 'social planners' are so unacquainted with those the rule (excuse me "serve") that they have to have the government as a data gatherer.
All that, however, is aside from the matter at hand. The basic story of what follows is that in Portland Oregon a 7 year old girl was setting up a lemonade stand at a neighbourhood fair. Within 20 minutes the county health inspector descended on her demanding that she produce a $120 "temporary restaurant license". Huh ? The inspector then demanded that she pack up and leave despite loud support from the crowd. You can read the full story here. This little act of petty tyranny was seen by one Michael Franklin who was at a booth next to the girl's. Even when the first inspector called in another to help intimidate the girl and her mother the crowd surrounding them was quite hostile, and the inspectors "felt intimidated". Tsk, tsk ! Franklin later publicized the incident on his Bottom Up Radio Network and called for the 'Lemonade Revolt'. We'll see what happens on the last Thursday of this month.
LLLLLLLLLL
The Lemonade Revolt!
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Location EVERYWHERE! ALL THE TIME! EVERYTHING FOR EVERYONE! if you are in Cascadia...Last Thursday on Alberta St. between 25th and 26th street. BUT, make it happen where you live!
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Created By Michael Franklin
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More Info
The Lemonade Revolt!
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Location EVERYWHERE! ALL THE TIME! EVERYTHING FOR EVERYONE! if you are in Cascadia...Last Thursday on Alberta St. between 25th and 26th street. BUT, make it happen where you live!
----------------------------
Created By Michael Franklin
---------------------------
More Info
On last thursday in July, on Alberta and 26th, a young girl was cheerfully setting up her lemonade stand. This was her first time doing this, and with her mother, she planned on selling lemonade for 50 cents a cup. No more than 20 minutes later, two state employees with badges informed her that if she did not desist, she would face a $500 fine.
We, as anarchists and community members, informed the mother that if she stayed again...st the wishes of the state, we would defend her. We suggested a donation based stand. They tried that and the state workers, two women with clipboards and badges, returned and demanded they stop. We surrounded these workers and informed them of our sovereignty, that this is an autonomous zone, and they not only have no authority here, but they must leave the area. They went to the police.
The mother, who feared for losing her new job and out of heartbreak of seeing her daughter crushed and in tears, decided it was time to go. We made appeals to the crowd, but to no real avail, as people just kept walking by. This is bullshit and must be met with creative action.
We are proposing a lemonade bloc next last Thursday(the last Thursday of August- Molly ). Get together with your friends and family and come up with a creative lemonade. Rosemary, lavender, mint, honey, agave, mate, carob, what the fuck ever you can come up with, show up early on alberta and 25th to 26th streets around 11 or 12 in the daytime, set up a table and offer lemonade for donation, or free. We should fill the entire bloc with lemonade stands! The state will come, but we will NOT leave. We will fill the streets with dance and revelry in the spirit of last Thursday's origins, an autonomous, anarchistic freak show that reclaims the streets, the neighborhoods and our lives.
This is symbolic in one sense, but absurd and beautiful direct action in another. Please do not blow this off! Let's make a horrible mess for the state! When the state gives you lemons....GIVE THE STATE HELL!
You can choose to donate money made from lemonade to throwing a block party for families, or anything else you want to do with it, the point is to do it!
We, as anarchists and community members, informed the mother that if she stayed again...st the wishes of the state, we would defend her. We suggested a donation based stand. They tried that and the state workers, two women with clipboards and badges, returned and demanded they stop. We surrounded these workers and informed them of our sovereignty, that this is an autonomous zone, and they not only have no authority here, but they must leave the area. They went to the police.
The mother, who feared for losing her new job and out of heartbreak of seeing her daughter crushed and in tears, decided it was time to go. We made appeals to the crowd, but to no real avail, as people just kept walking by. This is bullshit and must be met with creative action.
We are proposing a lemonade bloc next last Thursday(the last Thursday of August- Molly ). Get together with your friends and family and come up with a creative lemonade. Rosemary, lavender, mint, honey, agave, mate, carob, what the fuck ever you can come up with, show up early on alberta and 25th to 26th streets around 11 or 12 in the daytime, set up a table and offer lemonade for donation, or free. We should fill the entire bloc with lemonade stands! The state will come, but we will NOT leave. We will fill the streets with dance and revelry in the spirit of last Thursday's origins, an autonomous, anarchistic freak show that reclaims the streets, the neighborhoods and our lives.
This is symbolic in one sense, but absurd and beautiful direct action in another. Please do not blow this off! Let's make a horrible mess for the state! When the state gives you lemons....GIVE THE STATE HELL!
You can choose to donate money made from lemonade to throwing a block party for families, or anything else you want to do with it, the point is to do it!
Labels: bureaucracy, freedom., individual liberty, Lemonade Revolt, statism, USA
Thursday, August 05, 2010
AMERICAN LABOUR NEBRASKA:
BARISTAS SHUT DOWN OMAHA OUTLET:
The following news item is from the IWW Starbucks Union, organizing here there and everywhere for a fair deal for baristas at the Starbucks chain.
IWWIWWIWW
Squeezed Baristas Shut Down 15th and Douglas Starbucks to Protest Cutbacks
For Immediate Release:
Starbucks Workers Union/Industrial Workers of the World (IWW)
Contact: Tyler Swain, 402-320-2002
August 5, 2010
Squeezed Baristas Shut Down 15th and Douglas Starbucks to Protest Cutbacks
Workers Demand Reversal of Recession Labor Cuts as Starbucks Returns to Profitability
Press Conference: 4:30 August 5, 15th and Douglas, W. Entrance to Omaha Public Library
Omaha, NE- Baristas and community supporters shut down the 15th and Douglas Starbucks (SBUX) this morning demanding that management reverse all cuts to healthcare, staffing, and benefits that have been imposed during the recession. The baristas claim that executives have no justification to squeeze working families with Starbucks raking in profits of $977.2 million in the past four fiscal quarters.
“We are being squeezed, and we can't take it any more. Since the recession began, Starbucks executives have ruthlessly gutted our standard of living. They doubled the cost of our health insurance, reduced staffing levels, cut our hours, all while demanding more work from us. Starbucks is now more than profitable again. It's time for management to give back what they took from us,” said Sasha McCoy, a shift supervisor at the store.
Since the onset of the recession, Starbucks imposed a series of deep cuts on its workforce. Starting in 2008 as the economic downturn began, the coffee giant shuttered over 800 stores and slashed over 18000 jobs. The remaining skeleton crew workforce was stretched out, forced to push VIA and other promotional products while keeping the stores running with insufficient staffing levels. CEO Howard Schultz then doubled the cost of the company health insurance plan in September 2009, leaving many workers unable to afford medical treatment because of sky-high deductibles and premiums. While the cuts continue, Starbucks made a record profit of $207.9 million in the last quarter according to company figures.
The protesting baristas are members of the Starbucks Workers Union, which is an international campaign of the Industrial Workers of the World labor union. The store action makes the 15th and Douglas location the first Starbucks in Nebraska to have a public union presence. The workers decided to move to unionize after watching their standard of living be whittled away while top executives chose to reward investors with dividends.
Samantha Cole, a Barista at the store said, “I work hard for every dollar I make in order to put food on the table for my family; Starbucks rewards workers with a poverty wage while they give their Wall Street pals dividends. I'm not doing this for myself so much as for the next generation that will grow up in this country. These are the only jobs that are left here- we need to make sure they are good jobs for working families.”
While portraying itself as a ‘socially-responsible’ employer, Starbucks pays Nebraska baristas a poverty wage of $7.35/hr. In addition, all retail hourly workers at Starbucks in the United States are part-time employees with no guaranteed number of work hours per week. According to Starbucks figures released to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 40.9% of its employees (including managers) are covered by the company health care package, a lower percentage than the oft-criticized Wal-Mart, which insures 47% of its workforce.
Since the launch of the IWW campaign at Starbucks on May 17, 2004, the company has been cited multiple times for illegal union-busting by the National Labor Relations Board. The company settled numerous complaints against it and was recently found guilty by a judge in New York on more than 30 additional rights’ violations. Starbucks’ large anti-union operation is operated in conjunction with the Akin Gump law firm and the Edelman public relations firm.
The IWW Starbucks Workers Union is a grassroots organization of over 300 current and former employees at the world's largest coffee chain united for secure work hours and a living wage. The union has members throughout the United States and Canada fighting for systemic change at the company and remedying individual grievances with management.
Union baristas, bussers, and shift supervisors have fought successfully toward improved scheduling and staffing levels, increased wages, and workplace safety. Workers who join the union have immediate access to co-workers and members of the community who will struggle with them for a better life on the job.
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http://www.facebook.com/l/a781akQD1JUteiOx1cBsGLffhLA;www.StarbucksUnion.org
Labels: American labour, IWW, labour, Nebraska, Starbucks, Starbucks Union, strike., syndicalism, USA
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
AMERICAN LABOUR NEW YORK:
SCABS IN THE SAUCE:
Molly has blogged before about the strike at the Mott's facility in Williamson New York. The strike continues, and the company has hired scabs to try and break the strike. The following appeal from the American Rights At Work group asks you to register your support for the striking workers.
ALALALALAL
Tell Mott's: get the scabs out of your applesauce!
Even in a depressed economy, Mott's – the huge applesauce and juice company – is thriving. Just last year, its parent company earned $555 million in profits.
But instead of rewarding its workers for that success, Mott’s is keeping all the profits – and then some. At one facility in Williamson, NY, management tried to slash workers’ wages by as much as $1.50 per hour AND take away their pension plan! And when the workers went on strike, Mott’s hired strike breakers – otherwise known as scabs – to cross the picket line.
Tell the President of Mott’s parent company: Mott's workers deserve better!
Tell Mott's: get the scabs out of your applesauce!
Even in a depressed economy, Mott's – the huge applesauce and juice company – is thriving. Just last year, its parent company earned $555 million in profits.
But instead of rewarding its workers for that success, Mott’s is keeping all the profits – and then some. At one facility in Williamson, NY, management tried to slash workers’ wages by as much as $1.50 per hour AND take away their pension plan! And when the workers went on strike, Mott’s hired strike breakers – otherwise known as scabs – to cross the picket line.
Tell the President of Mott’s parent company: Mott's workers deserve better!
ALALALALAL
THE LETTER
Please go to this link to send the following letter to Mott's management.
ALALALALAL
As a consumer who cares about how a company treats its workers, I am writing to express my concern about the Mott's facility in upstate New York. It has come to my attention that strike breakers are being brought in, and that Mott's management continues to avoid negotiating with workers fairly.
Mott's is a profitable and financially healthy company, and it's outrageous that the company would seek to take advantage of a distressed economy to inflict further economic pain on workers in upstate New York. Mott's actions also threaten to put hundreds of independent apple farmers out of business. I urge you to work with the union to reach a fair contract that protects workers' pay and retirement.
Labels: American labour, labour, Mott's, Mott's strike, New York, scabs, solidarity., USA
Thursday, July 15, 2010
AMERICAN LABOUR CALIFORNIA:
SOLIDARITY WITH LAID OFF NURSERY WORKERS:
The following appeal for solidarity with laid off nursery workers in the USA comes from the United Farm Workers.
ALALALALAL
Stand in Solidarity with Laid Off Nursery Workers
Nurserymen’s Exchange is one of the nation’s largest wholesalers of nursery plants. Until recently they employed a work force of around 300. The situation at Nurserymen’s Exchange wasn’t great. There were ridiculous quotas, injuries and other problems, but workers still stuck around because it was a least a steady paycheck. Then in early July they laid off nearly half of their employees. Many of these workers were long time employees who worked with the company for decades.
Twenty-nine year employee and team leader, Lourdes Patino was one of these 132 laid off workers. She tells us to add insult to injury, the company told the employees the reason they were laid off was because there was no work for them, but in reality the company wanted to hire out of town labor contractor workers so they could pay cheap wages and no benefits. Lourdes told us she knew this because “on our last day, management told us they would give us the phone number of the farm labor contractor so we can talk to him and he could hire us to work again, paying us minimum wage and no benefits. I think it’s not fair for us because they want to bring us back to work for the minimum wage.”
Shortly after they were laid off, the workers contacted the union and we are doing all we can to help them get their jobs back. Help us take a stand to hold corporations like this accountable. A bad economy is not an excuse for sleazy behavior. Won’t you help?
Stand in Solidarity with Laid Off Nursery Workers
Nurserymen’s Exchange is one of the nation’s largest wholesalers of nursery plants. Until recently they employed a work force of around 300. The situation at Nurserymen’s Exchange wasn’t great. There were ridiculous quotas, injuries and other problems, but workers still stuck around because it was a least a steady paycheck. Then in early July they laid off nearly half of their employees. Many of these workers were long time employees who worked with the company for decades.
Twenty-nine year employee and team leader, Lourdes Patino was one of these 132 laid off workers. She tells us to add insult to injury, the company told the employees the reason they were laid off was because there was no work for them, but in reality the company wanted to hire out of town labor contractor workers so they could pay cheap wages and no benefits. Lourdes told us she knew this because “on our last day, management told us they would give us the phone number of the farm labor contractor so we can talk to him and he could hire us to work again, paying us minimum wage and no benefits. I think it’s not fair for us because they want to bring us back to work for the minimum wage.”
Shortly after they were laid off, the workers contacted the union and we are doing all we can to help them get their jobs back. Help us take a stand to hold corporations like this accountable. A bad economy is not an excuse for sleazy behavior. Won’t you help?
ALALALALAL
THE LETTER:
Please go to this link to send the following letter to Nurserymen's Exchange in California.
ALALALALAL
I am deeply disappointed in your company for laying off nearly half of your workforce--many of whom were with your company for decades. This is simply immoral. A bad economy is not an excuse for sleazy behavior. Trying to cover your company by paying workers the minimum compensation that the law requires you to pay anyway does not satisfy your responsibility to these workers.
Mass layoffs and then hiring back cheaper labor contractor workers is outrageous. Especially as it is reported that to add insult to injury, "on our last day, management told us they would give us the phone number of the farm labor contractor so we can talk to him and he could hire us to work again, paying us minimum wage and no benefits."
Immediately recall or rehire these 132 workers who have stayed loyal to your corporation through ridiculous quotas, injuries, foreman pressure and more.
Labels: American labour, California, labour, layoffs, Nurserymens Exchange, solidarity., United Farm Workers, US labour, USA
Monday, May 10, 2010
AMERICAN LABOUR:
SIGN THE PLEDGE FOR GUIMARRA WORKERS:
The United Farm Workers have been working for some time now to organize and improve working condition for farm workers at Guimarra Vineyards. They are asking consumers to "take the pledge" to stand with these workers and pressure Guimarra and their marketer Nature's Partner to treat their workers decently. Here's the story.
UFWUFWUFWUFWUFW
Sign the pledge to support Giumarra workers
With the table grape harvest just around the corner, farm workers at Giumarra urgently need a major public display of support. Consumers in this country are the ultimate power when it comes to requiring higher standards from companies--as we can always vote with our dollars. As a result of consumers raising their voice, grocery store shelves and coolers are now stocked more and more with sustainably, organically, and humanely produced and fairly traded items. We need you to raise your voice to help get the message to the mega-company Giumarra and their Nature’s Partner label. Giumarra markets their products as Nature’s Partner, but in reality they are anything but.
Data show that it only takes about 5-10% of a store’s customer base to impact purchasing decisions. Please help by signing our Giumarra/Nature’s Partner pledge. Without a push from consumers, farm workers will continue to have to deal with miserable conditions--inadequate shade and water, dangerous pesticide exposure, extremely low wages, and disrespectful treatment.
Please sign the pledge in support of the Giumarra Vineyards farm workers who are fighting to improve their conditions by getting a union contract. To pledge, go to this link and click on the gray "Submit Form" button to the right (below where you input your name, e-mail...).
Sign the pledge to support Giumarra workers
With the table grape harvest just around the corner, farm workers at Giumarra urgently need a major public display of support. Consumers in this country are the ultimate power when it comes to requiring higher standards from companies--as we can always vote with our dollars. As a result of consumers raising their voice, grocery store shelves and coolers are now stocked more and more with sustainably, organically, and humanely produced and fairly traded items. We need you to raise your voice to help get the message to the mega-company Giumarra and their Nature’s Partner label. Giumarra markets their products as Nature’s Partner, but in reality they are anything but.
Data show that it only takes about 5-10% of a store’s customer base to impact purchasing decisions. Please help by signing our Giumarra/Nature’s Partner pledge. Without a push from consumers, farm workers will continue to have to deal with miserable conditions--inadequate shade and water, dangerous pesticide exposure, extremely low wages, and disrespectful treatment.
Please sign the pledge in support of the Giumarra Vineyards farm workers who are fighting to improve their conditions by getting a union contract. To pledge, go to this link and click on the gray "Submit Form" button to the right (below where you input your name, e-mail...).
THE PLEDGE
Giumarra/Nature's Partner Pledge
I understand the power consumers have to affect change and bring about social justice. I therefore pledge my solidarity in support of farm workers at Giumarra Vineyards.
Labels: American labour, Giumarra Corporation, labour, solidarity., United Farm Workers, USA
Thursday, April 22, 2010
AMERICAN LABOUR- MASSACHUSETTS:
TAKE RESPONSIBILITY SUPERVALU:
Since last month workers at the Shaw Supermarket distribution centre in Methuen MA have been on strike. Supervalu is the parent company of Shaw, and even though they basically set the negotiations for their subsidiary they refuse to acknowledge their responsibility. The following appeal from the Jobs With Justice group asks that you support the workers by putting pressure on Supervalu.
SVSVSVSVSVSVSVSV
Tell Supervalu to be good Parents!
Support Striking Shaw's Grocery Workers
Supervalu, the parent company of New England grocery store chain Shaw's, is behaving badly. The 310 workers from Shaw's Supermarkets Distribution Center in Methuen, MA, members of UFCW Local 791, have been on strike for almost 7 weeks. Although Supervalu is the driving force behind negotiations, they refuse to take responsibility and come back to the bargaining table to negotiate in good faith. They claim that they are not responsible for their subsidiary Shaw's.
Call and write Supervalu today to tell them to be good parents and settle the strike now!
- Call Supervalu CEO Craig Herkert at (952) 828-4000
- Send a fax to Supervalu http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/supervalu/wukd7sd9y7mbw3k3?
Last month, union workers at Shaw's distribution center voted to go out on strike after the company refused to return to the bargaining table. Workers rejected a company proposal that would have increased employees' health insurance payments, resulting in a net loss of pay.
To make matters worse, the company is threatening to permanently replace all striking workers, placing all the workers at the distribution center's jobs in peril. Shaw's followed up its refusal to bargain with an announcement that they were going to lay off 4% of the workers in its local stores. Then the company announced that, "store associates who are laid off will be offered positions at the Methuen, Mass., distribution center as permanent replacements for 300 striking workers." Then the company announced it was ending health benefits for the workers it has refused to bargain with.
The new CEO Supervalu, Craig Herkert is the former president/CEO of Wal-Mart's operations in North and South America. Supervalu could pay him an annual bonus of more than $2.5 million if the company meets certain "targets" for net earnings. In January, the company announced quarterly net earnings of $109 million. Supervalu is the parent company for grocery stores nationwide, including Albertson's, Jewel-Osco, Cub Foods, Shopper's food Warehouse, and Acme among others. Tell Supervalu to be good parents and settle the strike now!
You can take action on this alert either via email (please see directions below) or via the web at: http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/supervalu/wukd7sd9y7mbw3k3? Visit the web address below to tell your friends about this.
http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/supervalu/forward/wukd7sd9y7mbw3k3?
We encourage you to take action by June 30, 2010
Tell Supervalu to be good Parents!
Support Striking Shaw's Grocery Workers
----THIS LETTER WILL BE SENT IN YOUR NAME----
Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],
I support Shaw's Methuen Warehouse workers in their struggle fora fair contract and a living wage with decent benefits. I am writing to express my outrage that your company has forced hundreds of Shaw's warehouse workers onto a picket line to protect good jobs in their community and affordable health care, and has threatened to replace your workers.
Supervalu, as Shaw's parent company, has a responsibility to ensure that Shaw's comes back to the table to negotiate a fair contract. Shaw's cut off health care coverage for strikers and their families, ignoring the plea from U.S. Congressman Michael E.Capuano (D-MA) to reinstate their coverage. The company announced a lay-off of 1,000 workers in their retail stores and offered them positions in the Methuen warehouse in an attempt to permanently replace the strikers.
Many respected voices including political, religious, labor and community leaders have asked Shaw's to come back to the table. Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick sent a letter to the UFCW and to Shaw's on April 12 in which he offered to mediate a settlement and Shaw's refused to participate. I urge you to sit down at the bargaining table and bargain in good faith in order to work out a reasonable and fair agreement so that the hardworking men and women at your Methuen, Mass.,warehouse can go back to work and resume their lives.
Labels: American labour, labour, Massachusetts, Shaw Foods, solidarity., strike, Supervalu, UFCW, USA
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
AMERICAN LABOUR-NEW YORK:
SOLIDARITY WITH MOTT'S WORKERS:
Workers at the Mott's plant in Williamson NY have recently taken a strike vote, and voted overwhelmingly to go out if management persists in its unreasonable demands. Mott's, despite its high profits is begging poverty and wants to both roll back wages and abolish the workers' pension plans. The workers, represented by the RWDSU, have launched a campaign for public pressure on Mott's management to force them to bargain realistically. Here's the appeal from the American Rights At Work group.
ALALALALALALAL
Take Action:
Take Action:
Tell Mott's Management: Don't Take Money out of Workers' Pockets!
The Mott's company is raking it in and its market share is up. Just last year, its parent company - the Dr. Pepper Snapple Group - earned $555 million in profits.
The popular apple sauce and juice company should be rewarding its workers for the company’s success.
But Mott's is doing the opposite. At the Williamson, NY, facility, management is trying to slash wages by as much as $2.50 per hour AND take away the workers' pension plan!
Tell the parent company President Larry D. Young: Mott's workers deserve better!
ALALALALALALAL
The Mott's company is raking it in and its market share is up. Just last year, its parent company - the Dr. Pepper Snapple Group - earned $555 million in profits.
The popular apple sauce and juice company should be rewarding its workers for the company’s success.
But Mott's is doing the opposite. At the Williamson, NY, facility, management is trying to slash wages by as much as $2.50 per hour AND take away the workers' pension plan!
Tell the parent company President Larry D. Young: Mott's workers deserve better!
ALALALALALALAL
The Letter:
Please go to this link to send the following letter to Mott's management.
ALALALALALALAL
Dear Mr. Young,
As a consumer who cares about how a company treats its workers, I am writing to express my concern about the Mott's facility in upstate New York. It has come to my attention that Dr. Pepper Snapple, as Mott's parent company, is trying to slash workers' wages and pension plans despite the fact that the company is profitable and financially healthy.
It is an outrage that a company would seek to take advantage of a distressed economy to inflict further economic pain on workers in upstate New York. I would ask that you do what you can to intervene in this situation and work with the union to reach a fair contract that protects workers' pay and retirement.
Dear Mr. Young,
As a consumer who cares about how a company treats its workers, I am writing to express my concern about the Mott's facility in upstate New York. It has come to my attention that Dr. Pepper Snapple, as Mott's parent company, is trying to slash workers' wages and pension plans despite the fact that the company is profitable and financially healthy.
It is an outrage that a company would seek to take advantage of a distressed economy to inflict further economic pain on workers in upstate New York. I would ask that you do what you can to intervene in this situation and work with the union to reach a fair contract that protects workers' pay and retirement.
ALALALALALALAL
Here's an article from the Prnewswire that gives more background on this dispute.
ALALALALALALAL
Mott's Workers Authorize Strike as Company Refuses to Bargain
Profitable Company Trying to Cut Workers' Wages
WILLIAMSON, N.Y., April 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Over 300 members of Local 220 of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, UFCW, voted to authorize a strike if no agreement can be reached with Mott's for workers at the company's Williamson, NY facility. The vote, which was 250-5, gives authorization for the union to call a strike if the company continues to engage in unfair labor practices and refuses to bargain.
"We may have no choice," said RWDSU Local 220 President Mike Leberth. "All we want is a fair contract but the company refuses to even talk to us."
"We want to reach an agreement with Mott's," said RWDSU Representative Ron Duncan. "We stand ready to bargain but the company has taken this position that we should just shut up and accept whatever they are offering. It's really disgraceful that they want to take away from their employees at a time when the company is doing well."
"The employees of Mott's deserve better," said RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum. "The company should be working with us to resolve whatever issues there may be. But from the beginning they came to the table looking for drastic cuts to workers' wages and pension even though the company is very profitable. There is no economic reason, no justification, for taking money away from the workers. None. They are simply trying to take advantage of the bad economy and high unemployment in the area."
Mott's LLP is a subsidiary of Dr. Pepper Snapple Group (DPSG). Last year alone DPSG earned $555 million in profits.
"Mott's told us we were simply making too much," said Leberth. "They said they know they are profitable. I guess they figure they can put their hands in our pockets and nobody will care."
"These are hardworking people, decent people, and what the company is trying to do will cause a lot of hardship," said Appelbaum. "That they won't even try and work this out is inexcusable. They may give us no choice but to strike."
Despite Mott's aggressive stance at the bargaining table the union was trying to reach an agreement that would protect workers' wages, health coverage and other benefits. The company made an offer on Tuesday, April 13, 2010, that the union brought to the membership for a vote. That offer was rejected by a vote of 272-18 and the union sought to continue bargaining. The company refused and even threatened to cut workers' wages if their "final" offer was not accepted. The union has filed unfair labor practices with the National Labor Relations Board over the company's conduct.
"The company has violated the National Labor Relations Act and we are confident that the board will find in our favor," said Duncan.
The RWDSU represent 100,000 members in the United States and Canada and is affiliated with the United Food and Commercial Workers.
SOURCE Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union
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RELATED LINKS
http://www.rwdsu.org
Mott's Workers Authorize Strike as Company Refuses to Bargain
Profitable Company Trying to Cut Workers' Wages
WILLIAMSON, N.Y., April 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Over 300 members of Local 220 of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, UFCW, voted to authorize a strike if no agreement can be reached with Mott's for workers at the company's Williamson, NY facility. The vote, which was 250-5, gives authorization for the union to call a strike if the company continues to engage in unfair labor practices and refuses to bargain.
"We may have no choice," said RWDSU Local 220 President Mike Leberth. "All we want is a fair contract but the company refuses to even talk to us."
"We want to reach an agreement with Mott's," said RWDSU Representative Ron Duncan. "We stand ready to bargain but the company has taken this position that we should just shut up and accept whatever they are offering. It's really disgraceful that they want to take away from their employees at a time when the company is doing well."
"The employees of Mott's deserve better," said RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum. "The company should be working with us to resolve whatever issues there may be. But from the beginning they came to the table looking for drastic cuts to workers' wages and pension even though the company is very profitable. There is no economic reason, no justification, for taking money away from the workers. None. They are simply trying to take advantage of the bad economy and high unemployment in the area."
Mott's LLP is a subsidiary of Dr. Pepper Snapple Group (DPSG). Last year alone DPSG earned $555 million in profits.
"Mott's told us we were simply making too much," said Leberth. "They said they know they are profitable. I guess they figure they can put their hands in our pockets and nobody will care."
"These are hardworking people, decent people, and what the company is trying to do will cause a lot of hardship," said Appelbaum. "That they won't even try and work this out is inexcusable. They may give us no choice but to strike."
Despite Mott's aggressive stance at the bargaining table the union was trying to reach an agreement that would protect workers' wages, health coverage and other benefits. The company made an offer on Tuesday, April 13, 2010, that the union brought to the membership for a vote. That offer was rejected by a vote of 272-18 and the union sought to continue bargaining. The company refused and even threatened to cut workers' wages if their "final" offer was not accepted. The union has filed unfair labor practices with the National Labor Relations Board over the company's conduct.
"The company has violated the National Labor Relations Act and we are confident that the board will find in our favor," said Duncan.
The RWDSU represent 100,000 members in the United States and Canada and is affiliated with the United Food and Commercial Workers.
SOURCE Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union
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RELATED LINKS
http://www.rwdsu.org
Labels: American labour, campaigns, labour, Mott's, RWDSU, solidarity., strike, USA
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
AMERICAN POLITICS- ARIZONA:
PROTEST DRACONIAN ARIZONA ANTI-IMMIGRANT BILL
The following appeal to protest the recent anti-immigrant bill passed in the state of Arizona comes from the United Farm Workers Union. This bill will make the state the first in the union to declare that being an illegal immigrant is actually a crime and not just an administrative offense. It also mandates that police can stop and demand documentation from anyone they have a suspicion of being an illegal immigrant. This translates, of course, into "being brown". Sounds something like creeping totalitarianism to me. In addition the bill contains provisions that actually reach the level of bizarre. It will allow lawsuits against the police should any parties feel that they aren't enforcing the law vigorously. No direct injury need be adduced. I challenge anyone to come up with another example of such a provision anywhere in the world. Then there is another section that makes it a crime to knowingly drive an illegal immigrant. There's one exception. Those "driving illegal immigrants to church" are exempt from prosecution. I kid you not. Only in America ! Here's the appeal.
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Chilling new AZ law could be signed Friday. Take Action Now
Can you help us? An appalling bill with chilling repercussions, especially for Arizona Latinos, can reach AZ Governor Jan Brewer's (R ) desk by Friday.
According to a Los Angeles Times front page story, "The bill, known as SB 1070, makes it a misdemeanor to lack proper immigration paperwork in Arizona. It also requires police officers, if they form a 'reasonable suspicion' that someone is an illegal immigrant, to determine the person's immigration status...Immigrant rights groups say it amounts to a police state." Alessandra Soler Meetze, president of the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona, said, "A lot of U.S. citizens are going to be swept up in the application of this law for something as simple as having an accent and leaving their wallet at home."
This means that anyone, even you, who walks in Arizona can be charged with a misdemeanor if you're not carrying identification to prove you are a legal resident.
The bill has just passed the Arizona House and could be on the governor's desk by Friday. Please send contact Gov. Brewer today and tell her not to sign the bill into law.
http://action.ufw.org/az410
Chilling new AZ law could be signed Friday. Take Action Now
Can you help us? An appalling bill with chilling repercussions, especially for Arizona Latinos, can reach AZ Governor Jan Brewer's (R ) desk by Friday.
According to a Los Angeles Times front page story, "The bill, known as SB 1070, makes it a misdemeanor to lack proper immigration paperwork in Arizona. It also requires police officers, if they form a 'reasonable suspicion' that someone is an illegal immigrant, to determine the person's immigration status...Immigrant rights groups say it amounts to a police state." Alessandra Soler Meetze, president of the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona, said, "A lot of U.S. citizens are going to be swept up in the application of this law for something as simple as having an accent and leaving their wallet at home."
This means that anyone, even you, who walks in Arizona can be charged with a misdemeanor if you're not carrying identification to prove you are a legal resident.
The bill has just passed the Arizona House and could be on the governor's desk by Friday. Please send contact Gov. Brewer today and tell her not to sign the bill into law.
http://action.ufw.org/az410
Please go to the link above to read more and to ask the Arizona Governor not to sign this bill- Molly.
Labels: American politics, Arizona, immigrants, racism, repression, United Farm Workers, USA
Friday, March 26, 2010
INTERNATIONAL LABOUR- USA/GREECE:
IWW SOLIDARITY STATEMENT WITH GREEK STRIKERS:
As the series of general strikes continue against the austerity plan of the Greek government the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) has seen fit to send the following message of solidarity.
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Solidarity Statement with Workers in Struggle in Greece
The International Solidarity Commission (ISC) of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) supports the workers in struggle in Greece and their strike actions in opposition to the threat of "austerity measures" by the Greek government, who claim those measures are needed to stop the country from bankruptcy. We are encouraged to see workers across Greece take a stand against the government's gamble with their livelihoods and exploitation of their labour. They have taken to the streets, and stopped working in a visible and powerful refusal to pay for the mess of the banks and financial speculators.
Rather then acquiesce to the official lie of a nation united in necessary sacrifice for the common good, they have exposed that the working class are not the cause of the crisis. We will not suffer for it. As the slogan goes, in Greece and elsewhere, we won't pay for their crisis! As one of the first countries threatening such wide-sweeping cuts, and in turn verging on bankruptcy in this crisis, the protests of workers in Greece are for us all.
As governments across the world respond to the current recession, a fruit of the unfettered gambling by capitalists with the wealth of the earth and the labour of workers everywhere, by further cutting into the subsistence and rights of the working class, we are glad to express our solidarity with the workers of Greece.
Solidarity Statement with Workers in Struggle in Greece
The International Solidarity Commission (ISC) of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) supports the workers in struggle in Greece and their strike actions in opposition to the threat of "austerity measures" by the Greek government, who claim those measures are needed to stop the country from bankruptcy. We are encouraged to see workers across Greece take a stand against the government's gamble with their livelihoods and exploitation of their labour. They have taken to the streets, and stopped working in a visible and powerful refusal to pay for the mess of the banks and financial speculators.
Rather then acquiesce to the official lie of a nation united in necessary sacrifice for the common good, they have exposed that the working class are not the cause of the crisis. We will not suffer for it. As the slogan goes, in Greece and elsewhere, we won't pay for their crisis! As one of the first countries threatening such wide-sweeping cuts, and in turn verging on bankruptcy in this crisis, the protests of workers in Greece are for us all.
As governments across the world respond to the current recession, a fruit of the unfettered gambling by capitalists with the wealth of the earth and the labour of workers everywhere, by further cutting into the subsistence and rights of the working class, we are glad to express our solidarity with the workers of Greece.
We are grateful to them for refusing to comply with the lie of "austerity" measures, which amount to the demand of a sacrifice by the poor for the benefit of the rich and for continuing to take a brave stand in the face of police repression.
In the hope that their struggle, which is also a struggle for workers everywhere, may continue and succeed, the IWW aim to lend our support, by action in solidarity, where it is within our grasp to do so, in our firm knowledge that 'an injury to one is an injury to all'.
In Solidarity,
The ISC of the IWW
Labels: Greece, Greek strikes, international labour, IWW, labour, solidarity., statements, strike, USA
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
AMERICAN LABOUR - RHODE ISLAND:
SUPPORT PROVIDENCE HOTEL WORKERS:
Workers at the Westin Providence Hotel in Rhode Island have been hit with unparalled employer demands. As part of the fight back the people involved have called for a boycott of the hotel. Here's the story from the Jobs With Justice network.
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Support Westin Providence Workers
The Westin Providence Hotel unilaterally imposed a twenty percent reduction in wages for all workers. They tripled employees' health insurance costs and significantly reduced employees' sick days, vacations, and holidays. Tell the Westin owners to stop using the economic crisis as an excuse to unnecessarily slash wages and benefits.
Tell me more
The Westin Providence Hotel unilaterally imposed a twenty percent reduction in wages for all workers. They tripled employees' health insurance costs and significantly reduced employees' sick days, vacations, and holidays. Tell the Westin owners to stop using the economic crisis as an excuse to unnecessarily slash wages and benefits.
Tell me more
RIRIRIRIRIRIRIRIRIRI
Please go to this link to sign the following petition in support of the boycott called for by the hotel workers.
RIRIRIRIRIRIRIRIRIRI
Full Petition Text:
We stand in solidarity with the Westin Providence Hotel workers. We will stand behind the boycott called by the Westin Providence workers and will support any strike called by the workers.
Full Petition Text:
We stand in solidarity with the Westin Providence Hotel workers. We will stand behind the boycott called by the Westin Providence workers and will support any strike called by the workers.
We call on the Westin Providence Hotel to respect their workers and to respect the work that made the Westin Providence Hotel a success.
Labels: American labour, boycotts., Jobs With Justice, labour, Rhode Island, solidarity., USA, Westin providence Hotel
AMERICAN LABOUR:
SHOW OF SOLIDARITY WITH RIO TINTO MINERS:
Since January 31 borax miners in Boron California have been locked out by international mining giant Rio Tinto. The struggle has gained worldwide attention, and recently there was a show of solidarity from people in the Los Angeles area. Here's the story from the AFL-CIO blog.
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It’s a ‘Hard Land’ for Locked-Out Miners
by Mike Hall, Mar 21, 2010
Several hundred Los Angeles-area union members recently came together to lend support and solidarity to the nearly 600 members of International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 30 locked out at Rio Tinto’s Borax mine in Boron, Calif. Now, you can get a firsthand look at this union solidarity in action with this slide show set to the word and music of Bruce Springsteen’s “This Hard Land.”
A caravan, organized by the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, delivered more than $30,000 in food and other supplies to support the miners fighting the international mining conglomerate’s move to outsource jobs, convert full-time jobs to part-time temporary work, slash retirement benefits and gut grievance protections and other workplace rules.
John Kawakami, the federation’s communication specialist, put together this stirring slide show covering the day’s events—an early morning rally at a Dodger Stadium parking lot; the drive to Boron, 90 miles northeast of Los Angeles; and the delivery of the much-needed supplies to the workers and their families.
The workers were locked out Jan. 31, after they voted down the giveback-packed contract from Rio Tinto. According to the ILWU, Rio Tinto in 2009 made nearly $5 billion in profits, despite a worldwide recession.
The London-based company operates mines on five continents and has a long record of union-busting actions, according to the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers’ Unions (ICEM).
For more information, visit Local 30’s website here.
Labels: AFL-CIO Blog, American labour, Borax, California, ILWU, labour, miners., Rio Tinto, solidarity., USA
