Labor issues

Labor Issues

Recipe for Slavery: Take US farm labor relations, add "guestworker" visas, and voila... Forced labor!
[9-3-10]

Federal prosecutors in Honolulu unseal indictment charging forced labor ring active in 13 states including – yet again – Florida;

Multi-state operation involves guestworker recruiting giant Global Horizons in what prosecutors are calling "the largest human trafficking case in US history"...

Labor Day weekend will be celebrated with a little more meaning this year by 400 farmworkers from around the country whose bosses were charged yesterday by Justice Department officials in Hawaii with "conspiracy to commit human trafficking."

The image above is from an excellent video by Honolulu's KITV on the news of yesterday's indictment. You can watch the video by clicking here.

Six people in the US were charged in the case, including four employees of Global Horizons Manpower, Inc, a labor recruiting company that specializes in the overseas recruitment of "guestworkers," foreign workers brought to the US to work in agriculture under an H2A visa for temporary employment in agriculture...

For more on this story, go to the CIW website today, http://www.ciw-online.org

An excellent video by Honolulu's KITV, on the news of yesterday's indictment, can be viewed by clicking here.

Thanks, and happy Labor Day!

Coalition of Immokalee Workers

Recipe for Slavery: Take US farm labor relations, add "guestworker" visas, and voila... Forced labor!

Federal prosecutors in Honolulu unseal indictment charging forced labor ring active in 13 states including -- yet again -- Florida;

Multi-state operation involves guestworker recruiting giant Global Horizons in what prosecutors are calling "the largest human trafficking case in US history"...

[9-3-10]

The image above is from an excellent video by Honolulu's KITV on the news of yesterday's indictment. You can watch the video by clicking here.

For more on this story, go to the CIW website today, http://www.ciw-online.org

Thanks, and happy Labor Day!

Coalition of Immokalee Workers

Throw Glenn Beck some social justice this Labor Day!

This message comes to us from Interfaith Worker Justice [8-17-10]

Glenn Beck recently attacked churches that embraced social justice. In the wake of his rant, Labor in the Pulpits gives us an opportunity to share the real meaning of social justice and its intersection with workers and the faith community.

The dream of justice for working families is a dream shared by the labor movement and the faith community. From the earliest struggles for worker justice, allies from the faith community have stood side by side with workers, to provide the moral framework in the efforts to help workers.

This Labor Day weekend, join Interfaith Worker Justice in celebrating the link between the faith community and worker justice. Interfaith Worker Justice has worked with faith leaders to develop faith-based resources that can be used in services. These prayers, hymns, reflections and bulletin inserts can be used in a service to celebrate the religious community's efforts to support workers' struggles. Click here for more information and many resources.

In peace and justice,
Cynthia Brooke
Communications Director, Interfaith Worker Justice

Pass the Word: Sweatshop-Free T-shirts

From Melanie Hardison, Enough for Everyone, PC(USA) [4-22-10]

Do you know a congregation, camp, youth group or Vacation Bible School that’s planning to print T-shirts? Please share with them the good news of Sweat-Free Ts – shirts made by a cooperative, not a sweatshop – available from the PC(USA).

Sweat-Free Ts come from the Nueva Vida sewing cooperative in Nicaragua, which began as an economic development initiative in the wake of Hurricane Mitch. In 1998 the Presbyterian Hunger Program provided seed money, and in 2003 was proud to come full circle with our support by also becoming a customer. Since that time, support from groups across the church has made it possible for us to purchase over 133,000 T-shirts from the cooperative! (And this figure does not include special orders for Presbyterian Women, Presbyterian Youth Triennium and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance!)

Shirts can be ordered from Presbyterian Distribution Service online or by phone. They come blank with only the Sweat-Free T logo printed in black on the sleeve; groups are free to screen print, tie-dye or otherwise creatively imprint the shirts with their own logo or design.

	Take advantage of the 20% discount on orders of 50 shirts or more.
	Read the recent Presbyterian News Service article about the cooperative.
	Check it out: The cooperative’s current project is sewing shirts for the 2010 Presbyterian Youth Triennium!

Shirts are available in 100% organic cotton that feels great. Colors are White, Natural and Presbyterian Blue. Sizes range from Child Small to Adult 3XL. Get educational materials.

Thanks for helping spread the Good News!

In hope,

Melanie Hardison, Enough for Everyone, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
(888) 728-7228 x5626

Extend Unemployment and COBRA Now!

This call for action comes from Interfaith Worker Justice
[2-22-10]

Are you unemployed? Do you know someone who is? Urgent action is needed TODAY to make sure that Congress extends the lifeline for workers by extending unemployment and COBRA coverage before the end of the month

Interfaith Worker Justice has stood with workers in times of economic prosperity and continues to stand with them in this time of economic crisis. Your response will help someone put food on the table, keep their lights on and of course, enable them to live with some dignity during this harsh economic climate. Click Here to take action now!

Peace and solidarity,
Renaye Manley
Director of Union and Congregational Outreach
Interfaith Worker Justice

U.S. Labor Dept. reinstates decades-old farm worker protections rules [2-12-10]

UFW applauds return to bi-partisan farm worker regulations

news release from United Farm Workers

Washington – 02/11/2010 – U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis announced today reinstatement of protections for imported farm workers that were slashed from the nation's agricultural guest worker program during the last days of the Bush administration in early 2009.

The Bush administration's changes to the H-2A agricultural guest worker program, which took effect on January 17, 2009, dramatically impacted wages and working conditions for foreign agricultural workers. Under the Bush rules, agricultural employers could more easily access cheap foreign labor with little government oversight.

"The United Farm Workers applauds Secretary Solis for restoring protections for imported farm workers that had been in effect since the Reagan administration. This is a great victory for all farm workers," said Arturo S. Rodriguez, UFW president.

More >>

November 19th:
Campaign against Wage Theft National Day of Action
[11-16-09]

On November 19^th, agencies, organizations, and individuals will join together in taking action to fight Wage Theft. Some will join in delegations to unethical employers, while others will participate in demonstrations and other actions to raise awareness and support for those who have had wages stolen.

If interested in joining in the National Day of Action or more information on the National Day of Action, please contact Cara Gold at cgold@iwj.org or (773)728-8400 x 34.

Click here for more information on local actions around the nation >>

From Kim Bobo, Interfaith Worker Justice:

According to a National Employment Law Project study of more than 4,000 low-wage workers, the average worker had $51 stolen out of average weekly earnings of $399 or 15 percent of his or her pay. That's money that could have bought a turkey and sides.

We know wage theft hurts workers and their families. I'm sure we all agree that like any crime, wage theft is a problem which must be solved.

On November 19, my colleagues and I will join wage theft victims as they share their stories before religious leaders, politicians and members of the press who will gather in Washington D.C. and 30 cities around the country for the National Day of Action to Stop Wage Theft.

Here are some of the things we're asking Congress, the Department of Labor, workers advocates, and the business community to do to stop wage theft:

	Educate and raise public consciousness of the crisis of wage theft;
	Create meaningful wage theft prevention and enforcement partnerships between government agencies and community organizations;
	Pass a national mandate requiring employers to provide workers with pay stubs;
	Conduct targeted investigations of industries and companies the DOL and community organizations have identified as willful, repeat violators;
	Assess meaningful penalties that would deter wage theft.

Together, we can do this!

Farm Worker Ministry urges opposition to nomination of chemical lobbyist as U.S

Chief Agricultural Negotiator. [10-29-09]

This call for action comes to us from National Farm Worker Ministry. We present it here in slightly edited form.

The Farmworker Association of Florida has asked the National Farm Worker Ministry to alert our supporters to the White House's nomination of Islam Siddiqui, current vice president for science and regulatory affairs, and formerly a lobbyist, with CropLife America, which represents the chemical pesticide industry. He is being nominated to the critical post of U.S. Chief Agricultural Negotiator. Farmworker groups fighting for years to regulate pesticide use are disappointed by the White House’s action.

The Farmworker Association of Florida, which represents 6,700 farm worker families working in the tomato and citrus industries, remains disturbed by the appointment. "Siddiqui's role at USTR will not be about promoting organic products, but eliminating trade barriers for developing countries to accept toxic chemicals and pesticides," said Tirso Moreno, general coordinator for FWAF. "That is CropLife America's agenda. They continue to try to stop any international attempts to help us regulate pesticide uses. Farmworkers have the highest rate of chemical-related illnesses of any occupational group. Our community suffers from nausea, liver damage, birth defects, and cancer as a result of exposure to these poisons. For the health of farmworkers around the world, we urge that his nomination be rejected."

Click HERE to sign the petition to President Obama urging that he withdraw the nomination of Siddiqui.

For more on this problematic nomination >>

An important step for stopping and deterring wage theft

Interfaith Worker Justice applauds legislative action
[8-4-09]

News release from Interfaith Worker Justice

Interfaith Worker Justice applauds leading House Democrats, who today introduced a critical piece of legislation to ensure that workers do not lose their wages while the U.S. Department of Labor investigates wage theft by employers who drag the process out. The legislation is a welcome response to a stinging Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigation that revealed the federal government's abysmal failure to enforce the nation's wage and hour laws.

The Wage Theft Prevention Act (H.R. 3303) is based on a GAO recommendation made in a report released this week. The bill would ensure that delays in investigating claims of wage theft will not result in a permanent loss of back pay for workers. The GAO found many investigations of wage theft were inadequately handled by the Bush administration's Wage and Hour Division and were dropped because the statute of limitations is too short and investigations took too long. To ensure that workers do not lose their hard-earned wages, the bill would freeze the statute of limitations from the date an employer is informed of an investigation until the agency notifies the employer that the investigation has concluded. More >>

[11-11-08]

Dear friend,

The elections are over and the nation has elected Barack Obama. Regardless of whom you voted for, the willingness of the American public to elect its first African American president is an historic breakthrough in a nation still struggling with racism and the remnants of slavery. We also saw unprecedented engagement of Americans in the electoral process, demonstrating the vitality of our democracy. These are signs of such hope in the society.

Nonetheless, the challenges facing our new president and his team are enormous. Employment figures that came out last week show that employers cut 240,000 jobs in October. More than ten million Americans are looking for jobs and can't find them, giving us an unemployment rate of 6.5 percent, the highest in 14 years. Working families are scared knowing they have few reserves and supports in times of economic crisis.

But given the working families platform outlined by the president-elect and Interfaith Worker Justice's mission to involve the religious community in these critical issues, the election offers opportunities for Interfaith Worker Justice to move forward an agenda that can help workers now and put in place structures that can support workers in coming decades.

With your help, we will:

1) Pass the Employee Free Choice Act. We have an opportunity early in the new Congress to pass the Employee Free Choice Act. This important, although strikingly simple, bill would make it easier for workers to join unions and get first contracts. We will be asking you to contact your Senators in the New Year. To learn more, click here.

2) Stop Wage Theft. Interfaith Worker Justice is putting the issue of wage theft on the national agenda, both through the incredible work done by workers centers, the policy work in Washington, D.C. and my new book, Wage Theft in America. We'll send order information about the book next week, but you can begin talking with your congregation about a Spring congregational study using the book. A congregational study guide is included with the book and available on line here. It is critical that we support a reinvigorated Department of Labor that will aggressively enforce labor laws and deter wage theft.

3) Stop the Workplace Raids. We are calling upon the Bush administration to stop the workplace immigration raids - immediately. Send a letter to Michael Chertoff, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, and cc Nicolas J. Smith, Chief of Staff of Immigration and Customs Enforcement: 245 Murray Lane Building, Washington DC 20528; Fax # 202-282-8401. When President-elect Obama has chosen his team, we will ask you to contact them as well. Click here to read the Interfaith Worker Justice Board of Director's statement condemning workplace immigration raids

4) Create and support Living Wage Jobs. It has been so long since the federal government played a visible role in helping create and support living wage jobs that we've almost forgotten that this is an appropriate role for the federal government - to support, encourage and enable job creation and a raising of standards throughout the society.

We need your financial support for moving all these issues. Give now and watch your contribution help us move important justice work forward.

It feels like the best of times and the worst of times. It is an exciting time in terms of new opportunities and new leadership. It is also a scary time in terms of overall conditions for working families. Our work is more important than ever.

Let us pray for our nation's new (and old) leadership and do our share to lift up the concerns of working families.

Praying for the future,

Kim Bobo
Executive Director
Interfaith Worker Justice

Interfaith Worker Justice urges:

Waste Management workers deserve the right to organize!
[8-29-08]

Forty years after Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. stood with workers in their historic strike in Memphis, sanitation workers in the solid waste industry are still fighting for decent wages, safe working conditions and respect.

Waste Management workers across the country are seeking to improve their working condition and wages by organizing with the Teamsters union. Workers are facing Waste Management's fierce anti-union tactics, including captive audience meetings, letters and firings.

Sanitation workers at Waste Management deserve the right to organize in an environment free from intimidation and threats of job loss. A huge proportion of sanitation workers are Latino and African American, just as in Dr. King’s day.

As people of faith, we stand in support of these workers and encourage Waste Management to immediately stop these practices. Our religious teachings say that we are to treat others as we wish to be treated, and that laborers deserve their just reward.

Interfaith Worker Justice urges: Please add your name to the list of religious leaders and people of faith who stand with workers at Waste Management by signing the petition. Click here and scroll down a bit.

Labor notes:
[2-9-07]

Interfaith Worker Justice 2007 National Conference

Sunday, June 17 - Tuesday, June 19
Chicago, IL

This event is planned for "clergy, labor activists, seminarians and faculty."

Cost, registration and lodging information will be available on-line at www.iwj.org by late February 2007.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

New film visits Chinese sweatshops

The Feb. 12, 2007 issue of The Nation has a review by Stuart Klawans of a film, "China Blue," based on a visit to a Chinese sweatshop where garments are sewn for high-class American labels. It shows the reality of sweatshop life, and also gives the perspective of the factory owner, who feels that he is constantly being squeezed by the garment retailers.

Note: This article is posted on The Nation's website, but may be available only to subscribers.

Now's the time to act:

Overtime pay vote expected any day.

From Working Families e-Activist Network
September 2, 2003 [posted here on 9-3-03]

The Senate debate on President Bush's overtime pay cuts will begin this week with a vote expected any day. This is the most important chance we've had to block the overtime pay cuts before they go into effect. We know you may have acted before, but PLEASE ACT AGAIN TODAY by clicking on the link below and sending a message to your U.S. senators asking them to support the Harkin Amendment that would block the Bush overtime pay cuts. It will only take a minute and will make a big difference. http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/septovertime/s5xszl5wjb

The overtime pay cuts proposed by the Bush administration could take away overtime pay from at least 8 million workers. Overtime pay protections are the heart of the 40-hour workweek--and even the weekend. Without them, employers would have no reason to treat workers fairly--they could require longer and longer days without paying workers extra for their overtime hours. Click below to take action, or keep reading. http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/septovertime/s5xszl5wjb

The Bush overtime pay take-away would save employers billions--right from workers' paychecks. They would allow employers to do almost anything they want by blurring the rules for overtime eligibility. One congressional study of the Bush overtime changes said they would allow employers to do almost anything.

The Bush administration changes could make large numbers of workers who have job-related training ineligible for overtime, for example. Health care, technical, computer, law enforcement, firefighting and skilled trades training could cost workers their right to overtime pay. This is completely outrageous and we need to stop it.

Send your fax: http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/septovertime/s5xszl5wjb

Tell your friends, family and co-workers: http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/septovertime/forward/s5xszl5wjb

The overtime pay takeaway won't just hit workers in the pocket. According to the Economic Policy Institute, "The millions of employees who will see their pay reduced will, in all likelihood, see their hours of work increase at the same time. Once employers are not required to pay for overtime work, they will schedule more of it."

Tens of millions of working families depend on overtime pay. Please act today.

Labor advocates urge "Leave no jobless worker behind"

Original message from: "Working Families e-Activist Network" <peoplepower@aflcio.org>

[1-4-03]

Next week, on Jan. 7, when Congress returns to work, our representatives must vote immediately to help jobless workers such as the more than 800,000 who lost their unemployment benefits when they were CUT OFF three days after Christmas. House Republican leaders like Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas) sent Congress home in November without voting on a bipartisan Senate-approved measure to extend benefits. The president stood by in silence until three weeks AFTER Congress adjourned.

Because of public outcry, media attention and your work on this issue, members of Congress and President Bush have realized they must do something and began speaking out for extending and restoring jobless benefits. We must make sure they do something REAL.

The current Republican proposal would mean that hundreds of thousands of families would continue to go without the already meager weekly unemployment check they need to survive. In addition, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING would be done for an ADDITIONAL 1 MILLION jobless workers whose benefits already expired before they found work.

No jobless worker should be left behind. You can help by doing three things.

	First, send a fax to Rep. Tom DeLay with a copy to President Bush and your representative by clicking on the link below. Tell them to extend and restore unemployment benefits and leave no jobless worker behind. http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/extendUI/s5xsz07b8j
	Second, jobless families across the nation really need your help by spreading this message to as many people as possible. Please take one minute right now to tell your friends, family and co-workers about this issue by clicking on the link below. http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/extendUI/forward/s5xsz07b8j
	Finally, if you know somebody who is unemployed, tell him or her about AFL-CIO resources to help survive unemployment. You can visit a special website with unemployment help by clicking on the link below. http://www.unionvoice.org/ct/L1aC1S91A1zl/

--------------------------------------------------

You can sign up for Working Families e-Activist Network at:

http://www.unionvoice.org/wfean/join.html?raC1S91LdzjE

Charleston five go to trial

Race seems one element in longshoremen's protest in South Carolina

[10-31-01]

Five members of two predominantly African-American locals of the Longshoremen in Charleston, SC, go on trial Nov. 13 for protests in Jan. 2000 against a Danish ship's use of non-union labor, charged with "incite to riot" -- a charge which seems wholly unfounded. A statement by religious leaders is being prepared, and you may want to join in on it.

In January of 2000, members of two predominantly African-American locals of the Longshoremen in Charleston, SC, protested a Danish ship's use of non-union labor to do work historically done by union members. The ILA members had earlier used peaceful picket lines on two different occasions, without incident. This time the 150 pickets were met by 600 riot-equipped South Carolina highway patrol officers and other police. Five union members were slapped with felony "incite to riot" charges, punishable by up to five years in prison, by the state.

When a local magistrate dropped the charges, the office of the Attorney General of South Carolina intervened and obtained indictments from a grand jury. For nearly two years they have remained under house arrest. When attorneys for the dock workers asked that Attorney General Condon be disqualified for gross misconduct, he withdrew and the case was transferred to a prosecutor in a nearby county. On October 15 a judge released them from house arrest. The trial begins on November 13.

It is implausible that these unarmed union members planned to riot against heavily armed state police. Some of the longshoremen were wounded by the police with rubber bullets, and Local 1422 President Ken Riley was clubbed on the head when he attempted to restore order.

Solidarity actions are scheduled for November 14. A web site has been established at <http://www.charlestonfivedefense.org/>.

A statement by religious leaders (not on the web site) has been prepared by Michael Szpak, (202) 637-5284, fax (202) 639-6210; the deadline is November 7.