worker

Knoxville, home of JwJ of East Tennessee (JwJET), is also presently home to a major public works project. The main bridge that runs from our downtown, across the Tennessee River, and out toward the Great Smoky Mountains is in the midst of a top-to-bottom repair and reconstruction effort that will close the bridge for two years. Except for the temporary traffic headaches, and except for the fact that union contractors had pretty much been locked out of doing the work, a project of this kind would normally be a cause for celebration: through this investment of public funds we are strengthening our infrastructure, helping individuals and businesses that rely on free movement across the river, increasing safety for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists who use the bridge, and creating jobs for construction workers hard hit by the recession.

In this case, however, the bridge project has become a cause for mourning and outrage. On January 25, 2011, less than a month after work on the project began, a worker named John Womac was killed when he was struck by the arm of a track hoe operated by an operator who had not been provided with adequate training on how to use the equipment.

On April 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, where he had gone to stand with sanitation workers demanding their dream: the right to bargain collectively for a voice at work and a better life. The workers were trying to form a union with AFSCME.

On April 4, 2011, join union members, community activists, people of faith, students, youth, LGBTQ, civil rights, and immigrant rights allies to stand in solidarity with working people in Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, and dozens of other states where well-funded, right-wing corporate politicians are trying to take away the rights Dr. King gave his life for: the freedom to bargain, to vote, to afford a college education and justice for all workers, immigrant and native-born. It’s a day to show movement with actions, teach-ins, worksite discussions, vigils, faith events – a day to be creative, but clear: We are one.

Albany rallies for WI workers on Feb 18. Photo by John Flanders.

The week of February 21st, workers, community, faith, and students will come together to rally in support of workers under attack in Wisconsin and across the country.  Below is a list of actions we know are planned so far.  More details are coming in all the time, so check back for updates.  Please post in the comments if you're planning something or email us & we'll add it to the list. 

(Last updated February 23, 2011 at 11:30pm) 

Juneau, AK
Tuesday, February 22nd at 12:00pm, State Capitol 

Little Rock, AR
Tuesday, February 22nd at 11:30am, State Capitol 

Phoenix, AZ
Tuesday, February 22nd at 12:00pm, State Capitol
February 26th -28th.  Various.  See website for details. 

Federal Stimulus Funds & Tennessee Tax Dollars Pay for Human Trafficking, Forced Labor: Call on the Obama Administration to hold employer accountable

Late in the night on August 10, Mexican guestworker Hilario Jimenez escaped from company housing to expose his employers. Hilario and other guestworkers were recruited from Mexico and brought to the U.S. on H-2B visas by Vanderbilt Landscaping LLC.

This morning Hilario blew the whistle on a Tennessee scandal: Vanderbilt Landscaping, LLC is receiving millions in federal stimulus money and state contracts put together. And the company is importing guestworkers - cheap, captive labor - into public jobs even as local communities are suffering from record unemployment rates.

Now we ask you to stand with Hilario Middle Tennessee Jobs with Justice and members of the Alliance of Guestworkers of Dignity to fight human trafficking, forced labor, and a company that gets millions in state and stimulus money.

TELL THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO INVESTIGATE VANDERBILT.  Call 202 353 1555 and tell Attorney General Eric Holder, "The Department of Justice should investigate and prosecute the employers for criminal conduct including but not limited to labor trafficking, forced labor, unlawful conduct with respect to documents, and other crimes in coordination with the F.B.I."

Students at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL held an all day rally on campus fighting for workers rights and student representation. They started at 8:00 AM and did not finish with everything until Midnight. The goal of the event was to raise student awareness about their own power and raise the awareness about low-wage workers on Eckerd’s campus (housekeeping, groundswork, maintenance, etc.). Throughout the day, students made signs, spoke with workers, other students, and the administration about their call for a living wage. Collaboration between other clubs provided creative and interesting ways for students to actively participate in the struggle for a living wage. Everything from planting seeds with the student run community garden to making and bagging sandwiches for the homeless of St. Petersburg happened throughout the day. The day ended with a vigil for women’s rights around the world and in the Eckerd Community, as most low-wage workers at Eckerd College are women.

Jobs with Justice and North Texas Workers Rights Board activists held a public hearing on the jobs crisis February 26 at Judge Luis Sepulveda's courtroom in Dallas.

Three unemployed folks: Jorge Ortega, Eddie Ortega, and Katharein Magdalena explained different aspects of the crisis and how they had been impacted.  Even though none of them was downhearted, they evoked a compassionate response from the religious and community leaders listening.

Reverend Gerald Britt, Jr, of Central Dallas Ministries talked about the differences in job opportunities in different parts of the city.  Almost none of Dallas' economic activity targets the Southern half of town.  Britt pointed out that poor workers have longer days because they have to travel north, where the work is, and return home late in the evenings.

How Can We Raise the Call for 10 Million Jobs?

The AFL-CIO is calling for ten million government-created jobs immediately.  It is the only possible hope for economic recovery. They want March 12-26 to be weeks for public actions.  As it happens, Spring Break for students begins March 12.  With youth unemployment ranging over 50%, it makes sense that they would want to march or picket for jobs.  Dallas AFL-CIO also wants to take action, so let's build up our coalition and get busy!