Sen. Jeff Merkley on EFCA

Here is a recent letter from Sen. Jeff Merkley regarding EFCA:


Thank you for contacting me in support of the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA). It is an honor to serve as your Senator, and I appreciate hearing from you.

I support EFCA because it would help rebuild the middle class in America. The middle class is under assault. Working families are losing their jobs, retirement security, health care, and homes at an alarming rate. Over the last twelve months, six million Americans have lost their jobs, and the unemployment level is the highest it has been in 25 years. Oregon has been hit particularly hard, with unemployment exceeding 12 percent -- the second highest in the nation. And as Oregonians lose their jobs and face exploding interest rates on home mortgages, more and more citizens are losing their homes. By one estimate, Oregon now has the fifth highest foreclosure rate in the country.

In this current climate, labor unions become even more important because of their ability to provide good living wage jobs, health care benefits, and worker protections. Currently, federal law allows employers to choose whether workers use a petition or election process to decide if they want a union. The Employee Free Choice Act would allow the workers, themselves, to decide whether and how to organize, so they have a free and fair opportunity to make that decision. It will enable union workers to bargain for better benefits, wages, working conditions, and ensure that they get a first contract. Employees in unions earn 30 percent more than average and are 60 percent more likely to have employer-covered health insurance. The bill will also ensure that unions can negotiate on a level playing field by imposing tougher penalties on those who break our existing labor laws.

I believe we must give working people a fair and direct process to form unions and bargain collectively to help turn around the economy and begin to rebuild the middle class, which is why I support EFCA. I am confident that employers and their workers can work collaboratively to ensure the competiveness of American business while restoring opportunity to the middle class.

Thank you, again, for sharing your thoughts with me. I hope you will continue to keep me informed about the issues that matter most to you.

All my best,

Jeff Merkley
United States Senate

Put pressure on Wells Fargo and support HartMarx workers

On Wednesday, May 20th Mid-Willamette Jobs with Justice will be picketing the downtown Salem branch of Wells Fargo Bank (580 E. State St, across from Marion County Court House). Informational picketing will happen at 12 noon to 1:00pm.

This informational picketing is in support of 3,000 HartMarx workers who have unanimously voted to stage a sit-down strike should Wells Fargo Bank continue to refuse credit to HartMarx. HartMarx, ex Hart, Schafner and Marx, has for over 100 years been a manufacturer of quality men's suits. As with many firms, the economic depression has severely cut into HartMarx's sales. In order to weather this crisis, HartMarx has asked for credit from Wells Fargo Bank. Wells Fargo has however refused credit and instead is looking to liquidate this company.

HarMarx workers have refused to be victims of the economic collapse and have voted to engage in a factory seizure and sit-down strike should Wells Fargo continue to refuse credit. In should be noted that Wells Fargo Bank has received 25 billion dollars in TARP money from the Federal Government.

Please attend...

Event in Salem: workers from Republic Windows & Doors

A union leader from the Republic Windows & Doors struggle in Chicago will be with us at the Salem SEIU Local 503 office (1730 Commercial St. SE., Salem) on the afternoon/evening of Friday, May 15 to do a special presentation. This inspiring struggle took place late last year and ultimately prevented a plant closing by winning support from the new Obama administration and by pulling bankers kicking and screaming to the negotiating table. The workers’ successful non-violent direct action tactics made international news. We do not have all details worked out yet, but we are confident that we will have the speaker and be able to integrate this into a union training scheduled that evening.

Everyone is invited. We hope to start the presentation at 6:00 pm in the MLK room in the union’s Salem headquarters. There will be a short video presentation, the activist-speaker will give a rap and then there will be plenty of time for discussion.

New York State: Domestic Workers United

In the wake of the economic crisis, the conditions facing domestic workers have worsened. Facing alarming rates of lay-offs, cut wages and extended hours, without notice, severance pay or any safety net, now more than ever - domestic workers need the Bill of Rights.

For 5 years, domestic workers have come together across communities to organize for dignity and respect, and demand the passage of a Domestic Workers Bill of Rights in New York State, which would include:

* Notice of termination
* Severance pay, sick days and holidays, and
* An annual cost of living wage increase.

In the last two months, both the New York Assembly and Senate Labor Committees have passed the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights out of committee. This is the moment we've been waiting for.

The National Domestic Workers Alliance, an alliance of domestic workers organizations in 10 cities across the country, will co-sponsor the week of action and send delegates to stand with New York's domestic workers. Join the week of action and support domestic workers to reverse a long history of injustice and exploitation, and chart a future based on respect and dignity for all work.


For more information, contact:



DOMESTIC WORKERS UNITED

1201 Broadway Suite 907-908

NY, NY 10001

212.481.5747 (ph)

domesticworkersunited@gmail.com

www.domesticworkersunited.org


Campaign Expiration Date:
May 27, 2009

Sign on for Employee Free Choice Ad

The Portland, Oregon JWJ chapter is placing an ad in the Portland newspaper (the Oregonian) and you can sign on to have your name in the ad as a supporter. See info below and at this link. Deadline for sign-on is April 15.

The fight for the Employee Free Choice Act is heating up in the House and Senate and we're taking out an ad in the Oregonian to show our support. For just $5.00 you can sign on to the ad and support the campaign in black and white. See your name in print along with hundreds of individuals and organizations leading the fight for an economy that works for everyone.

How to sign on

To download a draft of the ad and a sign-on form click here, fill out the form and mail it with a check for $5.00 to Portland Jobs with Justice, 6025 E. Burnside, Portland, OR 97215. You can also make a donation online through Network for Good - if you do this, make sure to write "Oregonian Ad" in the designation box.

Or you can donate online through our own just launched Facebook Cause. (FYI - The minimum donation on Facebook is $10)

The deadline for sign-ons is April 15th.

April 8 in Salem: Rally for Health Care for All

Health Care for ALL – Oregon (HCAO) is working for secure, affordable health care for each and every Oregonian. We believe the best way to do this is through a universal, single-payer health care system for every resident of the state (and nation). With everyone in the same insurance pool, we can lower costs while providing more comprehensive services than what most residents receive now.

Join HCAO and many other advocates for Health Care Action Day in Salem, on Wednesday, April 8, 2009. Wear your HCAO T-shirt and bring a sign!

9 a.m. - Meet at First United Methodist Church, MICAH Bldg, 600 State St NE, Salem 97301

9:30 a.m. - Orientation, Lobbying 101

11 a.m. - Lunch, march to Oregon Capitol: 900 Court Street NE, Salem 97301

Noon - Rally on the Capitol Steps

1 p.m. - Meetings with legislators

3 p.m. - House Health Care Committee

If you need a ride, or would like to offer a ride, please contact: http://www.healthsecurityaction.com/campaign/hcad2009

Other Events:

Corvallis: April 3, 8:15 to 9:45 a.m., CH2M Hill Alumni Center at OSU, as part of the annual gerontology conference, Cosimo Storniolo and Mike Huntington will speak on health care reform.

Portland: April 16, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., First Unitarian Church, 1011 SW 12th, Portland. Panel discussion: Congressman Earl Blumenauer will speak about what is happening in Congress; State Senator Alan Bates will describe what's happening at the state level; and Dr. Mike Huntington will talk about the single-payer option.

Corvallis: May 5, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the public library. Forum on health care reform at the national level. What is Obama's plan? What is likely to happen in Congress?

Union Busting at Rite Aid

Companies aren't supposed to attack workers who want a union,
but Rite Aid and other employers are doing it every day. When
650 workers at Rite Aid's distribution center in Lancaster, CA,
wanted to join a union to address problems like sweltering heat
in the warehouse, the company threatened and fired them.

The federal government was preparing to charge Rite Aid with 49
labor law violations, but let the company off with a slap on the
wrist. After workers prevailed and voted to join the
International Longshore and Warehouse Union last March, Rite Aid
continued the attacks. Now the company is refusing to sign a
first contract and has hired an anti-union consulting firm to
guide the company through the decertification process. This
situation at Rite Aid is a perfect example of why passing the
Employee Free Choice Act is so important.

We can't let Rite Aid succeed in its attempt to rob their
workers of their right to collectively bargain. Please call or
email today and tell Rite Aid CEO Mary Sammons it's time for
Rite Aid to do the right thing: Respect workers rights, stop
union busting, and sign a fair agreement.

Take action now at http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/riteaid .

Sweat Free communities in Salem

The SweatFree Campaign tour came to Salem today, sponsored by Mid Willamette Valley Jobs with Justice and ALIANZA, a Willamette University student organization. Attendees learned much from the two workers on tour with Sweat Free. Elizabeth was long-time garment worker in Honduras, but because of her agitation for better working conditions and for a union, she was fired and is now blacklisted. Rafael is currently a garment worker in Puerto Rico where there are laws on the books about vacation, sick leave, pay and working conditions, but the companies are getting away with not complying. These workers make many uniforms and other clothing for public workers in the United States (including a great deal for the US military) - so our tax dollars are funding the abuse.

In spite of the serious subject there was room for celebration of our solidarity and friendship - the great music by Tito and Samuel played a central role in that.

Action request: Help the Underdogs Pull off the Upset

This action request is from the Communication Workers of America:

This time of year, much attention is being paid to college superstars on the court. CBS paid the NCAA $6 billion to air the NCAA tournament. College coaches enjoy six and seven figure salaries. College athletes are taken care of by universities while getting their education--or are they?

College athletes who have worked hard on the court and in the classroom are often left to foot the bill for medical expenses from sports-related injuries, have their scholarships taken away for any reason, and often find themselves scrambling to make ends meet when scholarship funds fall short of the real cost of school--all while the NCAA generates billions from their talent.

These exploited workers do not yet have the right to form a union; but there is one organization giving college athletes a voice. The National College Players Association (NCPA) is the only group working to change these injustices. The NCPA is made up of 10,000 current and former college athletes and has already achieved significant victories nationwide.

NCPA fights for basic protections like making sure college athletes can get the education they've been promised and have worked so hard for.

Speak up against a multi-billion dollar industry that refuses to put promises made to workers in writing, pay for on-the-job injuries, or can revoke your salary at anytime, without reason.

Join unions and fans of college sports in signing a petition that will go to the NCAA and its three top corporate sponsors: Pontiac (GM), AT&T and Coke. Let them know that a fraction of these billions of dollars in sponsorship money should be used to provide basic protections to college athletes.

Speak up and sign the petition here.

JWJ Chicago organizer on Bill Moyers show

Bill Moyers recently interviewed James Thindwa, African-American JOBS with JUSTICE organizer, who has organized for several recent campaigns including the factory occupation at Republic Windows and Doors, the Chicago Living Wage Campaign, and the Employee Free Choice Act struggle (and his experience in the anti-colonial, independence struggle in Zimbabwe). See link below.

http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/03272009/watch.html

An economy that works for everyone

Momentum is growing to create an economy that works for everyone, in the U.S. and across the globe. Events are planned throughout the world concurrent with the G20 summit in London next week.

Jobs with Justice and student groups have hundreds of events planned from March 27-April 4 around the themes "Resistance & Recovery" and "Resist and Reclaim our Future."

Here's how you can participate in and support these actions:

1) Support the DREAM Act!

2) Find a JwJ action near you

3) Find a student-led action near you

The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act, reintroduced in Congress yesterday, is bipartisan legislation that addresses the situation faced by young people who were brought to the United States years ago as undocumented immigrant children, and who have since grown up here, stayed in school, and kept out of trouble.

If passed, the DREAM Act would facilitate access to college for immigrant students in the U.S. by restoring states’ rights to offer in-state tuition to immigrant students residing in their state. The “DREAM Act” would also provide a path to citizenship for hardworking immigrant youth who were brought to the U.S. as young children and to pursue higher education or military service, enabling them to contribute fully to our society.

More about the DREAM Act:

Each year, about 65,000 U.S.-raised students who would qualify for the DREAM Act graduate from high school. These include honor roll students, star athletes, talented artists, homecoming queens, and aspiring teachers, doctors, and U.S. soldiers. They are young people who have lived in the U.S. for most of their lives and desire only to call this country their home. Even though they were brought to the U.S. years ago as children, they face unique barriers to higher education, are unable to work legally in the United States, and often live in constant fear of detection by immigration authorities.

Our immigration laws currently have no mechanism to consider the special equities and circumstances of such students. By enacting the DREAM Act, Congress would legally recognize what is de facto true: these young people belong here. DREAM Act students should be allowed to get on with their lives.

If Congress fails to act this year, another entire class of outstanding, law-abiding high school students will graduate without being able to plan for the future, and some will be removed from their homes to countries they barely know. This tragedy will cause America to lose a vital asset: an educated class of promising immigrant students who have demonstrated a commitment to hard work and a strong desire to be contributing members of our society.

Let's bring these students out of the shadows, out from underground. Tell President Obama and Congress to pass the DREAM Act in 2009. Talented students and their families living in fear of raids and ripped apart by deportations, cannot afford to wait for change.

Salem Jobs with Justice Anti-Sweatshop Event on April 2

April 2, 2009 Salem Event
Calling on Oregon to end tax dollar support for sweatshops and to help build an economy based on good jobs!

SweatFree Communities presents

"Economic Stimulus Tour"

Thursday, April 2, 5:30-6:30 PM
St Vincent de Paul Catholic Church
1010 Columbia St NE
Salem, Oregon

Free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. Bi-lingual event: Spanish and English.

Hear from garment workers:
Elizabeth Gutierrez Reyes, from Honduras, worked 15 years in garment factories and has witnessed human rights violations at a factory for the popular Dickies brand, which provides public employee uniforms to many local governments. She is now a leader with FESITRADEH, a Honduran labor federation.

Rafael Irizarry, from Puerto Rico, has worked for 5 years at Propper International, a major producer of military and law enforcement apparel that supplies San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington State, among others. He is a lead plaintiff in a lawsuit against Propper for damages of $225,000 related to unpaid work, alleging that the company did not grant legally required paid sick days and vacation days.

Sponsored by Alianza, Salem Jobs with Justice, Sweatfree Northwest