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.