|
|
By Fran Tobin, on March 2nd, 2010 The fight-back is growing
Whirlpool refrigerators. Hugo Boss suits. Toyota Corollas. What do they have in common?
They’ve all been made by U.S. workers who will soon lose their jobs — if the corporate CEOs get their way. All these major corporations work hard (and spend a lot) to promote a positive corporate image. But they all plan to shut down their U.S. plants and shift production overseas — devastating our communities and taking advantage of workers abroad – even though these plants are profitable. If Corporate America gets its way, good jobs with benefits and economic security will be a distant memory.
But the fight back is growing. Jobs with Justice coalitions and our partners vow to make every plant shut-down costly and to challenge every major lay-off until we win Full and Fair Employment and a New Economy that Works for Everyone.
Last week, JwJ joined the AFL-CIO and IUE-CWA in challenging corporate greed at Whirlpool in Evansville, IN. Thousands of workers and community residents delivered 70,000 petitions to Whirlpool, protesting Whirlpool’s plan to send these jobs to Mexico — after taking millions of dollars in federal economic stimulus funds.
“We’re sending a message to Whirlpool and the rest of these companies that
Continue reading Stop Shut-Downs. Stop Lay-Offs. Stop Corporate Greed.
By Denise Diaz, on February 11th, 2010 As President Obama announced in Tampa that High Speed rail jobs were coming to Orlando, local community and labor activists came together to understand the uphill battle for workers accessing these jobs. Central Florida Jobs with Justice along with the Central Florida AFL-CIO hosted a townhall to discuss how this economic crisis will impact the city’s outlook for jobs.
With over 40 people in attendance, people heard passages from the study Battered by the Storm: How the Safety Net is failing Americans and How to fix it which shows the severity of families quickly falling into poverty. We also heard from the report Beyond the Quick Fix: ARRA Contracting, Jobs and building a fair recovery that highlighted the lack or transparency and impact of Stimulus dollars on communities of color and low income.
A diverse panel of speakers responded to these reports based on their experiences throughout this economic recession. Paul Wilson, President of Amaglated Transit Union local 1596 representing Lynx, MV and Grant bus operators, spoke on how local counties use the stimulus dollars on things besides operating costs, resulting in no wages increases for bus drivers. David Fernandez, an undergraduate senior at the University of Central
Continue reading Central Florida Townhall and Call to Action on the Economic Crisis
By jwjnational, on November 6th, 2009 15.7 million officially unemployed. 27 million Americans without full time jobs. Six people looking for every job opening.
Tell Congress this has to stop – NOW!
We knew it was coming. That’s why JwJ coalitions have been mobilizing for an economic recovery and working with partners to develop a national jobs plan. While the big banks took their bailouts and spend millions lobbying against a recovery for the rest of us, unemployment has officially topped 10%.
The intense struggle over health insurance reform is coming to a head (call your Rep. at 202-224-3121), and legislation to reform the big banks has been introduced. Extending unemployment for people that have already been out of work for many months is a necessary step, but we need good jobs – both public and private sector.
Despite what the big banks might say, there is no such thing as a ‘jobless recovery.’ Tell Congress the next big agenda item has to be creating millions of good jobs — and to get started now.
TAKE ACTION.
By Allison Fletcher Acosta, on October 16th, 2009 Last week we told you about two campaigns that Rhode Island JwJ supported during JwJ’s economic recovery week of action – an ordinance to protect against Hyatt-style subcontracting in the Providence Convention Center District, and a union contract campaign for food service workers at Brown University where health care was a key issue.
Yesterday, Brown dining service workers voted to approve a new three-year contract that keeps health care affordable and includes 2% wage increases each year.
 Last night, the Providence City Council took a final vote to approve the Hospitality Business Protection and Worker Retention Ordinance. The ordinance will require that hospitality businesses in the district, including the Dunkin’ Donuts Center, the Rhode Island Convention Center, Veterans Memorial Auditorium, and three hotels, retain employees for at least six months in the event of a sale or subcontract of the business and maintain the prevailing wage and health insurance standards.
These victories come as “the most dangerous woman in Rhode Island moves on” and as RI JwJ welcomes a new staff person. We wish outgoing RI
Continue reading Update: Two Worker Victories in Providence
By jwjnational, on October 14th, 2009 Cross-posted from DC JwJ
On October 5th, more than 200 DC high school students wearing all black walked out of classes on to protest the layoff of 388 school employees. Chanting “No counselors, no college!” students met at McKinley Technology High School and marched towards schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee’s office.
“We are here because our education in on the line,” said one student. “We have no teachers. All our counselors have been laid off. I am a senior, I want to graduate, I want to go to college, I want to have a future, but how can I do that without a school counselor?”
On October 2nd, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department entered classrooms at McKinley at around 2:45pm Friday to escort the teachers out of the classroom.
“I was in class, the police came in, told my teacher to leave the classroom and escorted her to her car. We knew the layoffs were coming but we didn’t know who or when it would happen. It was very distressing,” explained Tamika DeBose, a student at McKinley Tech.
As McKinley students gathered peacefully in the school courtyard on Friday, police attempted to disperse them, pepper-spraying DeBose directly in the face. Another senior, Teyvon
Continue reading Students March, Sit-In for Fired Workers
By Allison Fletcher Acosta, on October 6th, 2009  On October 1st, surrounded by 100+ supporters of the measure from UNITE HERE Local 217 and Jobs with Justice, Providence became the first city to act since the scandal provoked by the firing of the “Hyatt 100” in Boston. These 100 housekeepers were left with no jobs when three Boston Hyatt Hotels replaced them in with low-wage subcontractors.
The Providence City Council, taking the first of two required votes, voted unanimously to approve an ordinance to protect against Hyatt-style subcontracting in the Providence Convention Center District. The Hospitality Business Protection and Worker Retention Ordinance will require that hospitality businesses in the district retain employees for at least six months in the event of a sale or subcontract of the business and maintain the prevailing wage and health insurance standards.
Councilman Solomon introduced the legislation:
I am proud to be working to protect Providence workers from Hyatt-style layoffs. Our cities have invested massive public resources to build the tourism industry. In return tourism employers should provide good middle class jobs, whether at the Hyatt in Boston or the Convention
Continue reading Providence City Council Votes to Protect Against Hyatt-style Subcontracting
By rand wilson, on October 5th, 2009 The figures are staggering. Unemployment is at 9.1 percent and new unemployment claims continue to increase. By one measure, real unemployment and underemployment are double the official rate. According to the Labor Department, job seekers now outnumber openings by six to one!
 That’s why more than 1,000 union members, unemployed workers, students, clergy and community leaders came together for an October 1 march and rally to highlight the growing jobs crisis. The group protested on the Boston Common, at Verizon’s New England headquarters and at the Hyatt Regency Hotel against a corporate agenda that has left far too many workers behind.
Eighty labor and community groups sponsored the march and rally. Accompanying the march was the IBEW Local 103 One Hundred and Third Drum and Bagpipe Band and the Somerville Second Line Social Aid and Pleasure Society Marching Band.
The action also focused on how big banks have misused our tax dollars. So far, few of the hundreds of billions in taxpayer money that went to the big banks have reached Main Street. Robert Haynes, President of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO said:
“Economic recovery isn’t
Continue reading Boston Workers March for an Economy That Works for Everyone
By Gene Lantz, on October 1st, 2009 Cross posted from labordallas.org.
 A diverse crowd of 65 attended a Town Hall Meeting for Economic Justice on September 25 at UAW 848 Hall in Grand Prairie, Texas. No more than six of them were from any individual union local or organization, and most organizations were represented by two or three activists. Bringing sincere activists together has been the main mission of North Texas Jobs with Justice since it was founded in that same union hall in 1990.
Several of the participants were recognized for the contributions they are making in present-day worker struggles.
The agenda consisted of rousing talks by Texas AFL-CIO President Becky Moeller and internationally renowned theologian Rev. Dr. Joerg Rieger. Audience participation then provided more insights and inspiration.
Some of the points President Moeller made:
“The root ill for this economy is health care!”
“The Dallas newspaper reported that about half of the jobs lost in this recession will be permanent job losses.”
“The truth is that the downturn will not be over for a lot of us.”
“Labor
Continue reading Texas Activists Commit to Economic Justice
By jwjnational, on September 28th, 2009 Snack-maker Lance, Inc., has announced its intention to buy the 78-year-old Stella D’oro Biscuit Company and move production from its historic home.
Tell Lance to keep Stella D’oro production in the Bronx!
In July 2009, 136 Stella D’oro workers, members of the Bakery, Tobacco, Confectionary, and Grain Millers Local 50 returned to work after an 11-month strike to maintain family-supporting wages and health care.
On the day they returned, Brynwood Parters, the private equity firm that currently owns the 78-year-old Stella D’oro brand, announced their intention to shutter the plant in 90 days.
On September 8, Brynwood announced that it had reached a deal to sell Stella D’oro to Lance, Inc., a North Carolina-based food manufacturer that owns numerous other brands such as Archway cookies. The deal will not be finalized until October. Please act now to save good jobs!
More details about the struggle
On August 13, 2008, 136 members of Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union Local 50, employed at the historic Stella D’Oro plant in the Bronx, went on strike to defend their family-supporting wages and benefits.
Stella D’oro’s owner, CT-based private equity firm Brynwood Partners, was demanding wage cuts of up to 25% and unaffordable health care
Continue reading Stop Stella D’Oro Factory Closing in the Bronx!
By Sarita Gupta, on September 23rd, 2009 Cross-posted from Common Dreams.org.
One year ago Jobs with Justice, a coalition of labor and community organizations, took to the streets to oppose the Bush Administration’s bailout of Wall Street’s banks and other financial institutions. We warned against transferring public money to private banks through Bush’s Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) without some level of public ownership and control. But the TARP passed as is, entrusting the banks to put money back into the economy and help put the brakes on the recession.
Instead, these corporate criminals stole our money.
The banks said they needed taxpayer money to continue lending and to keep the economy running, yet they refuse to extend credit to viable companies like Hartmarx and Republic Windows and Doors. They are forcing small businesses to close and costing thousands of workers their jobs. Today, unemployment stands at 9.7%.
Mortgage lenders have failed to work with homeowners to curtail foreclosures, even those who qualify for refinancing. Today, nearly 1 in 25 homes is in foreclosure.
So what have the banks spent our taxpayer dollars on? Over the last year, we’ve watched one corporate scandal after another unfold. The bailed-out financial industry has paid outrageous executive salaries and bonuses, thrown
Continue reading One Year After the Bank Bailout, We Still Need a People’s Economic Recovery
|
Sign Up for Jobs with Justice
RSS Feeds from Local JwJ Coalitions
|
