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By jwjnational, on June 9th, 2011
On June 1st the Department of Labor issued an order which effectively debars Vanderbilt Landscaping from ALL guestworker programs for the next three years. There are only 5 other H-2B employers who have ever been debarred by DOL. Workers hearing the news in Mexico send their regards and thanks to all those who have supported this fight.
“Vanderbilt Landscaping retaliated against me and has sued us for lying,” said Hilario Razura, “but the evidence keeps coming out showing that what we said is the truth. This judgment is important because it will protect future workers from Vanderbilt’s abuse.”
Jobs with Justice was on the frontlines of this fight. In Nashville, Middle Tennessee Jobs with Justice mobilized community and labor allies in solidarity with workers to escape the work camps and win back their passports. Earlier this year, JwJ mobilized labor leaders to join the Alliance of Guestworkers for Dignity in a meeting with the Department of Labor to seek Vanderbilt’s debarment. And JwJ activists around the country sent letters and made calls seeking the company be removed from the guestworker program.
On May 10th members of Alliance of Guestworkers traveled to New York and, at a
Continue reading Guestworkers Win Victory Against Vanderbilt Landscaping
By jwjnational, on March 15th, 2011
 In Tennessee, 1,200 workers and community leaders have already mobilized to the state capital in Nashville on March 15, far surpassing the original expectations of 500. Under the banner of rallying for jobs, living wages and public services, Tennesseans came from all ends of the state—from Memphis to Knoxville. Both East and Middle Tennessee Jobs with Justice coalitions mobilized, organizing buses to arrive by 12 noon central time.
“Working Tennesseans didn’t cause the economic crisis,” said Karly Safar of East TN Jobs with Justice who also works for the United Campus Workers. “And we shouldn’t have to pay for it.”
Although Tennessee has not gotten the national attention of Wisconsin, Indiana or Ohio, working families in the state face a right-wing trifecta in all branches of government where they are at risk of more lay-offs, cuts in services and multiple bills that would negatively impact immigrant workers. The demonstration is expected to go well into the afternoon.
By Erica Smiley, on November 5th, 2009
Tennesseans, like others around the country, have watched in horror as the effective enforcement of labor standards dramatically declined. Many employers in the state have been quick to take advantage of a climate that has privileged business interests over workers and their unions. Meanwhile, many agencies charged with upholding workplace standards have lacked the resources, or in some cases the political will, to firmly and consistently enforce the law. And it’s workers and their families that have paid the price!
This fall, Jobs with Justice of East Tennessee (based in Knoxville), Middle Tennessee Jobs with Justice (based in Nashville), and the Worker Interfaith Network of Memphis joined forces in a statewide effort to bring to light some of the worst cases of abuse, such as wage theft and violations of workplace health and safety.
Targeting primarily the Tennessee Department of Labor and the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA), the 3 groups are gearing up for a statewide series of workers’ rights board hearings to receive testimony from immigrant workers who have had their pay withheld for no reason, sheet-metal workers who have had to work in unsafe conditions, and a number of other worker stories.
“We
Continue reading Tennessee Hosts Traveling Workers’ Rights Board Tour on Wage Theft and Safety Violations
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