JwJ News
JUNE 2005
- Atlanta JwJ Organizes & Wins Against Proposed Transit Fare Increase!
- Settlement Reached at Angelica Laundries!
- Health Care Action Day Helps Prevent SEPTA Strike
- FIGHTING CAFTA
- Holland America Janitors Win in Joint Campaign with WA JwJ
- Citizens Gather at WRB Hearing to Demand that Economic Development Subsidies Lead to Good Jobs for DC Residents
- Housing and Wages: Kentucky JwJ Connected the Dots
- Boston Nursing Home Workers Win Union and Fight Back Against Racist Charges
- NE JwJ Coalitions Hold Awards Fundraisers
Atlanta JwJ Organizes & Wins Against Proposed Transit Fare Increase!
On January 20, 2005, Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) riders and workers joined forces to give testimony to a panel of local leaders at Atlanta's first Workers' Rights Board Hearing at Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church about the impact of several rounds of cutbacks in jobs and services. The most recent cuts of 15% in jobs and services has delivered a heavy blow to working families and riders trying desperately to reach destinations such as hospitals, jobs and schools. Many low income communities of color, elderly, and disabled people are finding it increasingly difficult to keep good jobs and maintain their independence when their only means of transport has been cut off.
Since the WRB Hearing, JwJ has continued to make steady progress toward building a base of grassroots riders and toward creating a sustained alliance between riders and rank-and-file MARTA workers, members of ATU. Together, they are initiating a movement to win labor/community control over Atlanta's public transit and state and regional funding for public transit.
In April, MARTA announced upcoming meetings and hearings with a proposal to increase fares and to further cut service. The community turned out in force to the public hearings, and Atlanta JwJ was there to sign people up on petitions. It was out of these hearings that the idea was formed for the Transit Riders Union (TRU), a project of JwJ. The mission of the TRU is to build power for riders through the organization, education, leadership and committee development so that riders can lead the way to improving mass transit. The TRU will link up with the ATU in an alliance to fight against the transportation racism and injustice that has held sway for the past 30 years.
On May 9, Atlanta JwJ mobilized 100 people for a press conference & action at MARTA Headquarters to demonstrate to the Board of Directors that the people of Atlanta don't believe that service cuts and fare increases are the solution to MARTA's woes, but rather, the region and the state should contribute to MARTA's operating budget. The event was well-attended by the press, but the real victory took place inside, where the collective message and community/labor pressure forced the Board to postpone their decision to raise fares and cut service. Atlanta JwJ kept the momentum going and the pressure on, and several weeks later MARTA's Board voted not to increase fares!
With this victory won, Atlanta JwJ plans to continue organizing the Transit Riders Union to win community/labor control of transit and to win state and regional funding for Atlanta's transit system.
Settlement Reached at Angelica Laundries!
After months of negotiations, UNITE HERE and Angelica have finally reached a settlement that includes new contracts for workers at facilities with union representation and an agreement on a fair procedure for workers at non-union facilities to form unions in an environment free from intimidation!
Angelica's Textile Services division is the largest laundry service provider for hospitals in the US, operating 28 laundry plants and employing over 3,000 production workers across the country. On September 22 at a National Workers' Rights Board Hearing convened in St. Louis (where Angelica is headquartered), a panel of elected officials, religious, and community leaders heard moving testimony from six employees of Angelica Corp. about a widespread pattern of abuse of its workers and the impact of management interference on product quality and safety.
Shortly after the hearing, two of the testifiers from Angelica's Ballston Spa plant were fired from their jobs and the Capital District Workers' Rights Board in Albany, NY held a hearing to investigate their firings. They found that the real reason for their firings appeared be their involvement in union activity.
The National WRB report, which St. Louis JwJ delivered to Angelica Headquarters in January, included the conclusions and recommendations that:
- Instead of showing neutrality towards workers, Angelica has resorted to intimidation and coercion to deter elections for union representation;
- The most viable alternative to the flawed secret ballot election is the "card check" process for determining whether or not a majority of workers want to form a union;
- Conditions at Angelica are not conducive to a healthy and safe working environment. Angelica should make workers' health and safety a top priority;
- Angelica should re-hire wrongly dismissed Ballston Spa, NY employees with full back pay.
In April, the National Labor Relations Board agreed with the Workers' Rights Board and began prosecuting Angelica for firing one of the Ballston Spa workers.
In June, an agreement was reached between UNITE HERE and the Angelica Corporation. The agreement includes:
- Agreement on a fair procedure for workers at the non-union facilities to form unions in an environment free of intimidation.
- Settlement of all open contracts in currently unionized Angelica facilities - including resolution on health & safety issues highlighted at the WRB Hearing.
Health Care Action Day Helps Prevent SEPTA Strike
Jobs with Justice organized a rally for "Health Care for All" on June 14th. At least 200 JwJ members and allies from Kensington Welfare Rights Union, ACT UP and Project Home came out to stand up for a variety of local health care issues. The issues that were highlighted included the contract fights of the hospital workers of AFSCME 1199c, the fight against the Medicaid cuts and the potential SEPTA strike over health care.
The SEPTA workers union (TWU Local 234) is negotiating on a day to day extension. The union has thanked Jobs with Justice by saying that, "the public support prevented a strike." More than 600 JwJ activists spoke up on workers' rights and transit issues in addition to the hundreds who marched in solidarity with these workers.
A decade ago, the U.S. Congress traded away our economic future with back-room deals and passed the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Since then over 700,000 jobs have been lost in the U.S. and 8 million more people in Mexico are living in poverty. The proposed Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) will extend this nightmare to 6 more nations.
In the Senate, CAFTA passed in a very close 54-45 vote on June 30th. WE HAVE NOT LOST! This was the closest Senate vote on a trade pact since NAFTA. The bill still has to pass the House, where opposition to CAFTA is much stronger. We have always known that we will have to defeat CAFTA in the House, not the Senate. CAFTA came out of the House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday, in a 24-11 vote. The House is expected to vote on CAFTA sometime after the week-long 4th of July recess. Representatives should be in their districts until Congress begins again on July 11th. Please take some time during the next week to educate your representatives about what you think about CAFTA! Now is the time to act!
U.S. Rep. Adam Smith (WA), Rep. Blumenauer Swtich Sides on Trade Issues
On December 9th, the Washington State WRB held a hearing on outsourcing and its effects on Pierce and South King County. The hearing featured five local workers from four job exported industries as well as Ashim Roy from the New Trade Union Initiative in India The workers spoke eloquently about the specific impacts of losing their jobs on their families and community, gave an industry analysis of why this is happening, and gave the bleak prospects for retraining and securing another living wage job. Mr. Roy gave testimony on the impact of outsourced jobs to India, both to the workers and to the economy.
US Rep. Adam Smith has led a recent tectonic shift by many "free trade" leaders, who now support living wage jobs over the free trade race-to-the-bottom. Not only does Rep. Smith now oppose the expansion of NAFTA to Central America (CAFTA), he is aggressively campaigning for a more sustainable model of economic development nationally as the elected co-chair of the New Democrats.
US Rep. Earl Blumenauer of Oregon held a Town Hall meeting on trade in April. Over 200 people, including many Portland Jobs with Justice activists, attended. Following this meeting, Rep. Blumenauer annouced his decision to stop supporting CAFTA.
Excerpt from Representative Adam Smith's Labor Newsletter Update:
On December 9th, Adam participated in a Workers' Rights Board hearing organized by Washington State Jobs with Justice. As a member of the panel - joined by outgoing State Representative Velma Veloria, Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg, Pierce County United Way President Rick Allen, Executive Director of Associated Ministries Reverend David Alger, and other distinguished leaders in the community - Adam heard two hours of testimony from local workers, policy analysts and economists, non-profit directors, and a union leader from India. The testimony focused on the loss of living wage jobs in Pierce and south King County.
Based on strong and informative testimony, Adam and participants of the Workers Rights Board later released the following findings amongst a longer list:
- That living wage jobs and high levels of employment are integral to the health of our communities and economy.
- That exporting living wage jobs from our community without an effective strategy to replace those jobs and provide laid off workers transition to future decent living standards is cause for serious concern.
- That both government and the private sector should develop local sustainable economy and community strategies to address the impact of job exporting.
In closing, Adam joined with the other panelists and resolved 'to work to build a sustainable economy of living wage jobs and stable high employment in our community of Pierce and south King Counties. "There is no doubt in my mind how vital good living-wage jobs are to the success of our economy and the well-being of our community," said Adam. "Determining which policies will preserve these jobs now and 100 years from now is a harder task, but it begins with talking to workers on the ground and forming partnerships in all levels of government and in the community."
Chicago JwJ Says, "Don't be a Sucker - Stop CAFTA"
Several Democrats in NE Illinois have been targeted as possible swing votes on ratification of the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). The Chicago Jobs With Justice Global Justice Committee went into action on June 14th, giving out lollipops with the message "Don't be sucker, stop CAFTA" to attendees of the Candy Industry Expo. Candy manufacturers in Chicago have been outspoken in their support for CAFTA. The action was followed by a press conference with labor, religious, and immigrant groups opposed to CAFTA.
Holland America Janitors Win in Joint Campaign with WA JwJ
Janitors working at Holland America corporate headquarters have won affordable healthcare, living wages, and a voice at work with a union contract with SEIU Local 6 on the eve of a new round of JwJ cruise ship protests.
You may remember WA JwJ activists' creative and daring SeaTac Airport protest at the end of last year's cruise ship season. JwJ activists exercised their free speech airport rights to alert passengers of cruise ship health concerns and the connecting pattern to cruise ship management's denial of affordable healthcare for the janitor's who clean their toilets. Passengers were very eager to learn more about health issues at cruise lines. Activists donned green latex surgical gloves, medical masks, and dispensed free toilet paper rolls as we leafleted cruise ship passengers. Rumor has it, the next day some activists infiltrated corporate headquarters with leaflets that warned that we would be back at the start of cruise ship season in May. Fortunately, Holland America did the right thing and switched from Cascadian to a cleaning contractor that treats janitors respectfully before the cruise ship season started.
Citizens Gather at WRB Hearing to Demand that Economic Development Subsidies Lead to Good Jobs for DC Residents
A vocal crowd of about 100 residents gathered on the evening of Thursday June 2, 2005 to express outrage over Mayor Anthony Williams administration's failure to link unemployed city residents with the thousands of new jobs created by the District's "economic development" boom of recent years, which has also driven the cost of living up dramatically.
During the Hearing, held in the basement of Bethlehem Baptist Church in the Anacostia section of Southeast Washington, DC , testimony was provided by low-income workers and residents, union members, economic development policy experts, and two representatives from the District Government's Department of Employment Services. The emotionally charged Hearing erupted several times into shouting with attendees and testifiers discussing the plight of the District's unemployed and under-employed residents.
"Why, after so many years of living here, do we have to fight so hard to maintain living here?" said Nathan Saunders, vice president of the Washington Teachers Union and an Anacostia native. Many speakers said they are concerned about the shortage of "living wage" jobs available for them to be able to support their families and purchase a home in the District, and some said they have to work two or three jobs in order to continue living in the city.
"In most cases, the jobs that are created don't go to DC residents," said Roger Newell, chairman of DC Jobs with Justice. "Most of the more than 59,000 jobs created under the administration of Mayor Anthony Williams' policies and programs have been filled with suburban residents." The kinds of jobs being created by economic development subsidies that residents are actually able to get are in retail or other service jobs that pay only $8 to $10 per hour, one resident pointed out. This is significantly less than the more than $20 per hour needed to live in the District, according to DC Jobs with Justice.
DC Jobs with Justice also held a press conference and rally on the morning of June 10th at City Hall, where the Workers' Rights Board released their resolutions from the hearing and where labor and community leaders will speak out in support of a city-wide living wage bill and other worker-friendly legislation being considered by the DC Council that day.
Housing and Wages: Kentucky JwJ Connected the Dots
"Poverty is too expensive. We can't afford it any more." -Quinn Brisben, 1992
It was a powerful testament to the spirit of the people of Louisville, Kentucky, as hundreds gathered in front of the Mazzoli Federal Building on Tuesday, May 24th to protest the four percent cut in Section 8 funding to the city.
Those in attendance - including many JwJ activists and allies - held numbered signs representing households going without a voucher. The total number of signs: 356. The rally served as a visible statement to Louisville's federal elected officials that those gathered will not allow government to dismantle the city's housing program - a program that already has more than 14,000 families on a waiting list for Section 8 rental assistance.
Speakers at the rally included State Representative Jim Wayne, Jane Walsh of the Metropolitan Housing Coalition, a representative of Women In Transition who is also on the Section 8 waiting list, a local pastor, and others. As a member of the Housing Coalition, JwJ partnered with the organization and the Coalition for the Homeless to mobilize people for this event.
As part of the solution to the problem, local employers have a responsibility to pay better wages so that people can earn what they need in order to move off of the Section 8 waiting list. According to the 2004 National Low-Income Housing Coalition report, a person in the Louisville-area being paid the $5.15 hourly minimum wage would have to work 89 hours a week to afford a two-bedroom apartment at market rates.
Boston Nursing Home Workers Win Union and Fight Back Against Racist Charges
In March of this year, the lawyers for Harborside Health Care filed an objection to a union election at their Wakefield, MA facility. Harborside claimed that workers voted 2 to 1 for a union representation with SEIU 2020 because union activist Marie Chery threatened to use Voodoo on them, claiming that the threats intimidated the mostly Haitian Certified Nurses Assistants. The workforce was insulted, as was most of Boston. Marie Chery, who never worked on Saturdays because she is a Seventh Day Adventist, denied the charges and claimed they picked her because she was a union supporter. Hundreds of people wrote letters and called the company to demand that they drop their charges and apologize. After a lunchtime rally attended by over 100 activists in front of the company's downtown Boston headquarters, the company dropped the charges and agreed to recognize the union! However, the company has yet to apologize to the Haitian community, or Marie Chery.
NE JwJ Coalitions Hold Awards Fundraisers
On May 1, over 200 people came together for the the Vermont Workers' Center/JwJ Annual Dinner, celebrating the accomplishments of the VWC/JwJ, and to honor those who've fought for workers' rights in Vermont this year. The VWC/JwJ awarded thirteen "Working Class Heroes and Heroines Awards" to unions and organizations that fought for and won workplace rights this year. They also recognized four innovative partnerships building power for workers in Vermont: the Good Jobs for VT Campaign, the Global Justice Committee, the VT Coalition for Universal Health Care, and the VT Alliance for Retired Americans. Finally, the VWC/JwJ gave out eight "Movement-Builders Family Awards" to hard-working labor families. Congressman Bernie Sanders gave a rousing speech, and the VWC/JwJ raised over $3,000 at the event.
On May 3, NYC JwJ held their Annual Awards Night, where NYS Attorney General Eliot Spitzer delivered the keynote address. NYC JwJ presented the "Fighting Spirit Award" to Spitzer, the "Faith in Action" Awards to Rev. Dr. James Forbes and to the Congregation B'nai Jeshurun, the "Long Arc Toward Justice Award" to the Working Families Party, and the "Movement Builder Award" to the SEIU 1199 Heroes Program. Over 150 activists came to the event and NYC JwJ raised over $50,000 through their ad book and ticket sales.
On May 20, more than 300 activists came to the Buffalo Coalition for Economic Justice/JwJ's 19th Anniversary Awards Banquet. This annual event featured a keynote speech by Bob Master, CWA District 1 Legislative and Political Director, and four awards. OPEIU Local 212 leader Gerry Skrezeckowski was honored for his years of service to the labor movement, Reverend Merle Showers was honored for his work on the living wage campaign and the Western NY Workers' Rights Board, and Rebecca Newberry and Dominique Bulls were honored with the "Future of Justice" Award, which highlights the contributions of young people to the movement for social and economic justice. CEJ/JwJ raised over $15,000 through their ad book and ticket sales.
MEDIA LINKS
Downtown: Urban renewal on Aisle 5
The Register-Guard - Eugene,Oregon,USA
... Claire Syrett, organizer for Eugene-Springfield Solidarity Network/Jobs with Justice, says her organization doesn't have an official position on Whole Foods ...
Vocal crowd decries lack of good-wage jobs for DC residents
The Common Denominator - Washington,DC,USA
... resident. This is significantly less than the more than $20 per hour needed to live in the District, according to DC Jobs for Justice.
Crisis in the US Labor Movement: The Roads Not Taken
Monthly Review - Herndon,VA,USA
... This article is an expanded version of a talk given at the Massachusetts Jobs with Justice Solidarity School, November 11, 2004. ...
Letters: Section 8 Funding Cuts
Courier Journal - Louisville, KY
...letter from Attica Scott, Kentucky Jobs with Justice Director
MARTA board will vote today on 2006 budget
Atlanta Journal Constitution (subscription) - GA,USA
... "We believe we have a 50-50 chance to stop the fare increase," said Terence Courtney, coordinator of Jobs With Justice, an umbrella advocacy organization ...
MARTA votes to keep $1.75 fares
Atlanta Journal Constitution (subscription) - GA,USA
... Before Tuesday's vote, a group of rider advocates led by Jobs With Justice, a grass-roots coalition of community, labor and social justice organizations, held ...
PROTESTING PROPOSED CUTBACKS
Toledo Blade - Toledo,OH,USA
... budget. Jobs with Justice sponsored yesterday's rally, which took issue with proposed cuts in state funding for education,. Medicaid ...
Both sides agree to keep SEPTA running
Philadelphia Daily News - Philadelphia,PA,USA
... Late yesterday, Brooks told a Jobs with Justice "Health Care for All" rally on 15th near Market that he would not allow SEPTA to bully the union into striking ...
SEPTA, Union Avert Strike
Metro - Philadelphia, PA
... photo...
Philadelphia Unions Join Poor in Asserting Right to Health Care
Prensa Latina - Havana,Cuba
... The workers were supported in their protest by Medicaid recipient activists, including representatives from Jobs for Justice, Kensington Welfare Rights ...
Migrants' fix spurs protest
Bennington Banner - Bennington, VT
...Around 30 concerned citizens toting signs that read "Jobs With Justice" gathered to call on the Barrett Company, Inc., a Pennsylvania-based construction firm, to pay at least nine former employees...
Dozens rally to support unpaid Latino workers
Vermont Guardian
...Thursday's rally was organized by the Vermont Workers Center, a nonprofit organization in Montpelier. Several dozen people held signs in English and Spanish reading, "Jobs with justice."...
Iraqi workers' plight strikes a chord in Vt.
Barre Montpelier Times Argus - Barre,VT,USA
... "The state of labor has only gotten worse," said Dawn Stanger, vice president of the Vermont Workers' Center, a member of the Teamsters union and a 16-year ...
Essential work force struggles to find affordable housing
MSNBC - USA
... Locally, Kentucky Jobs With Justice, an organization dedicated to protecting and improving the quality of life for area workers, led such an effort aimed at ...
Progressives to unveil 'core principles'
The Hill - Washington,DC,USA
... potentially, Progressive Democrats of America, the Institute for Policy Studies, Peace Action, National Priorities Project, Jobs with Justice and The Nation ...
Labor's Rocky Road
Salt Lake City Weekly - UT,USA
Rocky Anderson has pushed city contractors to pay workers a "living wage." This month, he's leading a Workers' Rights Board seeking to assist union ...
Protest to spotlight foreign workers' plight
Rutland Herald - Rutland,VT,USA
... which owns the Hampton Inn chain) that these practices are unacceptable," said James Haslam, director of the Vermont Workers' Center -- Jobs With Justice. ...
Interview with Fred Azcarate, Jobs with Justice Executive Director
Workers' Independent News Service
