December 2012

Top moments for workers in 2012

Submitted by Jonathan Williams on December 20, 2012

Black Friday Walmart

From California to Michigan, from the statehouse to the warehouse, we’ve seen unprecedented attacks on workers’ rights from corporate-backed politicians and wealthy executives alike. But we’ve also seen remarkable courage and determination from working people everywhere. We’re proud to have been a part of many of these fights and remain committed to empowering and protecting the 99 percent and making the economy work for everyone again. Let’s take a look back at where we collectively stood up and fought back in 2012!

Victory at Verizon

After more than a year of intense negotiations and mediation and a two-week strike, workers represented by the CWA and IBEW reached an agreement with Verizon Communications. The ensuing contract protected middle-class jobs and retirement security of 45,000 workers from Virginia to Massachusetts.

Fix the Senate Now – Call Your Senators Today

Submitted by Jonathan Williams on December 19, 2012

The current rules that govern the Senate are hurting our democracy. Obscure rules allow just a handful of Senators to railroad key legislation and hold progress for working families’ hostage. Call the Senate switchboard at 202-224-3121 and tell your Senators to fix the Senate rules now.

Loud and Clear – We Deserve a Fair Deal, not a Grand Swindle

Submitted by Jonathan Williams on December 17, 2012

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On December 10th, International Human Rights Day, Jobs with Justice activists across the country joined with labor and community groups to make headlines and send a unified message to Congress – Protect our Safety Net, Make the Wealthy Pay!

Jobs with Justice local coalitions mobilized and supported at least 18 events in 11 states –  including Maine, Indiana, Missouri, and Illinois to stand up for jobs and to protest any potential cuts to Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare in the budget debate!

Statement by Sarita Gupta on Signing of “Right-to-Work” Bill in Michigan

Submitted by Jonathan Williams on December 12, 2012

CONTACT:
Ori Korin
(202) 822-2127 x126
okorins@americanrightsatwork.org

Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder signed into law the right-to-work legislation passed by the Michigan state legislature. In response, Jobs with Justice and American Rights at Work Executive Director Sarita Gupta issued the following statement:

“It’s unfortunate that the hardworking people of Michigan are becoming the collateral damage of Republicans’ political vendetta against unions and their members. Right to work sounds like a good idea, but in reality, these laws have nothing to do with providing rights or work. At its core, this initiative is a threat to the basic right for workers to stick together on the job and collectively bargain for a better life.

“The facts speak for themselves: compared to workers living in states without right-to-work laws, employees in right-to-work states earn less per year and are more likely to be uninsured. Workplace deaths are higher in right-to-work states, and even business owners admit that right to work isn’t a factor when they’re choosing where to open up shop.

Tool kit: Tell your Congress Members to support a Fair Deal, not a Grand Bargain

Submitted by Jonathan Williams on December 7, 2012

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The 2012 elections are over, and the American people have spoken. They voted for strengthening the working class and putting people back to work—not for job-killing budget cuts and attacks on Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Voters rejected cutting health care and education to pay for tax breaks for the rich.

As Congress faces urgent budget decisions over the next two months, policymakers must keep the election results in mind and resist budget cuts that slow our economy and hurt families. The best way to reduce the deficit is to put people back to work and get our economy going again.

The only way we can stop the assault on our social safety net is to make our voices heard in the halls of Congress. We need to call, write, and meet with our elected officials to demand:

  • No more tax cuts for the richest 2% of Americans.
  • No benefit cuts for Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid.
  • Yes to jobs and economic security for all.

Ready to make your voice heard? Download our tool kit:

To help you get your message to Congress, we've put together this tool kit for you:

Black Friday at Walmart: By the Numbers

Submitted by Jonathan Williams on December 6, 2012

During the biggest shopping event of the year, more than 1,000 strikes, walkouts, and community actions took at Walmart stores across the country, involving over 30,000 people in 47 states. The historic Black Friday protests marked a new era of support and solidarity with Walmart workers who are standing up for better jobs.

Jobs with Justice is proud to stand in solidarity with the courageous Walmart strikers. On Black Friday, nearly two-thirds of our extensive national network of coalitions participated in actions at at least 86 Walmart stores. In Massachussets alone, Jobs with Justice mobilized to nearly every store in the state. Meanwhile, thousands of Jobs with Justice supporters signed our petition in solidarity with the strikers.

Across the country, the numbers are only much larger:

Black Friday at Walmart: What We Accomplished

Image courtesy of Making Change at Walmart

Check out photos from Jobs with Justice actions on Black Friday:

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Jobs with Justice is a national network of local coalitions that bring together labor unions, faith groups, community organizations, and student activists to fight for working people. Our members are in the streets in 46 cities in 24 states across the country.

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