Workers and activists got on the bus June 30th to support workers’ rights all over the Portland area.  In a meticulously planned and executed all day bus tour, supporters went to seven actions to support workers’ rights.  June 30th was important because thousands of workers had collective bargaining agreements expiring that day.

150 union members and community supporters boarded three buses at 9:30 am.  We joined other workers at each of the seven stops along the way.  Every action had its own unique flavor and creative twist.  In between stops, participants were briefed on the next struggle and got a chance to practice chants and songs.

The buses’ first stop was a Georgia Pacific facility, represented by the Inland Boatman’s Union/ILWU where contract talks have been stalled.  The owners are the infamous Koch brothers, so a piece of the action was singing “I’d Like to Buy the Kochs a World”, as well as a delegation to the employer.

Stop 2 was the

Continue reading Portland Rising Bus Tour Supports Workers’ Rights

The workers at the Portland Convention Center, members of UNITE HERE Local 9 employed by Aramark as servers, concession stand workers, and kitchen workers, finally won their year-long battle for a new contract in early September.  Portland Jobs with Justice was proud to stand with the workers as they stood up for health care benefits, living wages, and to keep management from taking their gratuities.

Workers built a strong committee and active participation from all parts of the bargaining unit.  The whole union fought for increased wages for the lowest paid kitchen staff, and other key issues were health care and gratuities.  Even though a number of workers were entitled to health care, they had not been getting it.  A delegation presenting petitions from the workers and community early in the contract campaign won coverage for several additional workers.  When the contract was settled, health benefits were expanded and improved.  Under the old contract, management kept 25% of workers’ gratuities.  The workers, for the first time ever, put a cap on the amount of gratuities management could keep, and got transparency about where the gratuity money goes. 

Continue reading Worker Victory at the Portland Convention Center

Hundreds of statewide labor activists joined with community leaders and local residents to call on Hollander-Marriott and all Greater Tacoma low-paying, taxpayer-money-taking companies to fuel an economic recovery with good jobs. Washington State JwJ is a leading force calling for responsible development, which led to this event as the largest local worker rights action in recent memory.  Radio and corporate print media more than noticed.

Hollander-Marriott purchased their downtown Courtyard site at a “deep discount” from taxpayers, snatched waterfront-mountain views from the taxpayer’s Convention Center, and “brutalized” the architecture of Tacoma taxpayer-financed luxury renaissance, according to the press.  The City Council agreed to this in the name of jobs as Hollander-Marriott made promises to the Mayor, Council, and residents and their unions.

But Hollander-Marriott “went back on their word” to pay living wages, hire locally, and abide by a labor harmony agreement, according to former Mayor Baarsma.  Hollander built the downtown Marriott using Canadian workers earning poverty-wages.  The hotel continues

Continue reading Hollander-Marriott Takes Tax Money, Fails to Provide Good Jobs

Some of you might remember the Westin in Providence, RI — it was the site of JwJ’s 2008 national conference.

Unfortunately, times have taken a turn for the worse, and last week workers at the Westin Providence Hotel, members of UNITE HERE 217, called for a boycott on the hotel in response to hotel management unilaterally imposing a 20% reduction in workers’ wages coupled with a tripling of health insurance costs.  On top of that, hotel management significantly reduced employees’ sick days, vacations, and holidays.

Please sign the petition pledging to stand in solidarity with the Westin Providence Hotel workers. Join us as we call on the Westin Providence Hotel to respect their workers and to respect the work that made the hotel a success.

If you do business at the Westin, let us know how much of your business the Westin is losing. How much do you spend on renting halls or meeting rooms or dining at the Westin? Email rijobswithjustice@gmail.com

You can also find out about upcoming pickets in solidarity

Continue reading Join the Boycott of the Westin in Providence, RI

On November 7, 2009, the Westin Providence fired three housemen, Alfred Palumbo, Mike Crone, and Jose Minaya, in retaliation for their legally protected union protest.  The Westin refused appeals from the Union and community leaders to reinstate them.  The workers’ union, UNITE HERE Local 217,  filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), which investigated the case for four months.

On Wednesday, February 24, the NLRB Regional Director in Boston gave notice that the Federal Government has authorized a civil prosecution of the Westin Providence for the firings.

In order to avoid further prosecution, the Westin Providence suddenly offered all three workers reinstatement at the hotel to their previous jobs, pay and benefits.  Once the NLRB authorizes a complaint, the Westin will be required to make all three workers whole for lost back pay and benefits, and post an official Federal notice throughout the Hotel in order to avoid a trial before a federal

Continue reading Fired Westin Workers in Providence, RI Win Their Jobs Back After NLRB Action

Looking to buy gifts for the holidays AND support workers?  We’ve got some ideas for you!

Naturally, we recommend starting off at the Jobs with Justice store, where you can find union-made t-shirts, hoodies, water bottles, buttons, stickers, and even yo-yos with a pro-worker message.

For union made apparel, UNITE HERE keeps a list of companies with the union label, as does the UFCW.

Sweatfree Communities and the International Labor Rights Forum have put together the “2010 Shop with a Conscience Consumer Guide” with clothing sourced from sweat-free factories throughout the world.

Wondering what to serve at the holiday party?  Here’s a list of union-made sweets & treats and other food and beverages. 

If you’re traveling over the holidays, you can search here for a union hotel.

If you are a union member yourself, save money on flowers, computers, phones, and more at the Union Plus website.

Want to know what NOT to buy?  Check out the 2010 Sweatshop Hall of Fame.

And just in case you were

Continue reading Worker-Friendly Holiday Shopping Guide

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

Continue reading Update: Two Worker Victories in Providence

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

Continue reading Providence City Council Votes to Protect Against Hyatt-style Subcontracting

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