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Industrial Worker - Issue #1735, May 2011

Posted Thu, 05/05/2011 - 4:37pm by x344543

Headlines:

  • Six Jimmy John’s Workers Fired For Whistleblowing
  • Fired Union Barista Achieves Victory In Brooklyn
  • ILWU Local 10 Shuts Down Oakland Port

Features:

  • The Evolution of May Day Worldwide
  • Wobbly Arts: The Art of the IWW Protest Song
  • Key figures from the IWW in South Africa

Download a Free PDF of this issue.

What Kind of May Day Do We Need this Year?

Posted Tue, 04/26/2011 - 11:21pm by x344543
By Daniel Gross -  Znet, Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Who would have thought?

The self-sacrifice of a street vendor in Tunisia sparked the rage of a nation including general strikes from independent unions which successfully ousted the Ben-Ali dictatorship.  The garment workers of Mahalla and their national day of action catalyzed the seeds of revolt in Egypt.  Then with millions in the street and Hosni Mubarak obstinately ensconced in his compound, mass industrial action from workers across sectors and across Egypt broke the stalemate and ended a 30-year reign of oppression.  Popular revolts have spread throughout the region.

When Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker launched extremist attacks on public worker union rights for the benefit of corporate elites, the example of the Egyptian and Tunisian achievements inspired workers to actions with a scope and spirit unseen for decades in the U.S. labor movement.  The persistent occupation of the Capitol and enthusiastic solidarity from far and wide proved that the sense of self-worth and fighting spirit of the American worker is alive and well.  A General Strike is being discussed by workers in states around the country, not as a historical relic, but as a practical, effective, and needed tool to deal with problems at work and in the political system.

As the attacks on public and private sector unions escalate, the racist scapegoating, exploitation, and deportation of immigrant workers continues apace.  Right-wing legislators in states across the country are pursuing the Arizona show-me-your-papers racial profiling model which undermines the liberty and offends the dignity of every working person.  Employers enrich themselves for years on the hard work of immigrant employees only to cynically raise status issues when confronted with demands for stolen wages or for decent working conditions.  Yet still, immigrant workers of color are routinely demonstrating the courage to lead some of the most profound and hard-fought labor campaigns in the United States.

On May 1, 2006, millions of immigrant workers and their allies poured into the streets from coast to coast with tremendous spirit and energy to give May Day life again after decades of slumber in the country in which it was born.  Regrettably, many corners of the labor movement shied away from this watershed moment which featured large numbers of workers actually striking their jobs without even the protection of union membership.  The achievement of International Workers Day in 2006 has yet to be duplicated.

The combination of existential challenges and historic opportunities facing workers indicates only one appropriate response on May 1, 2011: everyone together in the streets against the attacks on immigrants, public and private sector unions, and all working people.  A new network of over fifty leading worker and community-based organizations, May Day United, has been hard at work building just this type of dynamic May 1st under the banner of "A Day Without Workers" and a call for, "No Work, No Shopping, and No School-Related Activities."  May 1st falls on a Sunday this year which should help facilitate the participation of many working families.

San Francisco Central Labor Council Endorses May Day Events

Posted Tue, 04/26/2011 - 11:13pm by x344543

May Day United (www.MayDayUnited.org) which includes five IWW branches so far has great news report.  The SF Labor Council has decisively endorsed "A Day Without Workers" on May Day; resolution is below and online at http://on.fb.me/h1QlOO:

Resolution to Endorse "A Day Without Workers" on May 1, 2011, International Workers' Day

submitted by the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement

WHEREAS the attack of Governor Scott Walker on Wisconsin's public workers and their labor unions is an attack on every U.S. working family;

WHEREAS union membership enables working people to bargain collectively and obtain fair wages and working conditions;

WHEREAS solidarity on the job is how working people assert our fundamental and inalienable right to freedom of association;

WHEREAS immigrant workers continue to be scapegoated and discriminated against in Arizona and across the United States to the detriment of every worker;

WHEREAS everyone who works deserves equal rights on the job;

WHEREAS corporate interests and the politicians they control are spreading their assaults from Arizona and Wisconsin to states around the country;

WHEREAS unchecked corporate power in the United States has robbed working families of economic security and peace of mind;

WHEREAS isolated efforts at reform have failed to stem the growing tide of corporate power and the harm it causes to hard-working men and women across the nation;

WHEREAS the most powerful tool working people possess to improve our wages and working conditions and defend our dignity against attack is a General Strike of all workers;

WHEREAS May 1st is International Workers Day, a day honoring the remarkable struggles and sacrifices of working people around the world;

WHEREAS a call is growing for a national mass action on May 1st, 2011 under the banner of "A Day Without Workers" including no work, shopping, or school-related activities on May Day;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the San Francisco Labor Council endorses "A Day Without Workers" on May Day 2011 and supports the right of affiliates to engage in work stoppages, sick-outs, and any other solidarity actions on May Day;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the San Francisco Labor Council will endorse and mobilize for the May Day 2011 march from 24th and Mission Streets at 12 p.m. to a rally at the Civic Center on May 1;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the San Francisco Labor Council will write to the AFL-CIO urging it to endorse "A Day Without Workers" and to support the call of avoiding work, shopping, and school-related activities on May Day 2011.

Industrial Worker - Issue #1734, April 2011

Posted Tue, 04/26/2011 - 10:56pm by x344543

Headlines:

  • It Started In Wisconsin: Labor Fights Back Across The U.S.
  • Miners Protest Against Outsourcing In Western Australia
  • Truck Drivers Strike In Gaza

Features:

  • The Railroad Industry And The Need For One Big Union
  • Wobbly Arts, Entertainment & Humor
  • Review: A Deeper Look Into The Life Of Phil Ochs

Download a free PDF copy of this issue.

National Week of Action for Paid Sick Days at Jimmy John's

Posted Fri, 04/22/2011 - 1:03pm by x344543

Do you want someone with the flu or a cold to have to make your sandwich? Do you want to have to work when you're sick? Do you think workers should be able to afford to take a day off?

In cities across the US, restaurant workers aren't allowed to and often can't afford to take a day off when they are sick. But this barbaric practice might be about to change. In Minneapolis, MN, the IWW Jimmy John's Workers Union is waging a campaign for paid sick days... and winning. Until now, management at the Miklin Enterprises Jimmy John's disciplined and even fired workers who stayed home while sick without getting their shift covered. After months of pressure from union members, the franchise owners have begun to crack. The owners recently announced a new policy which allows workers to call in up to five times in a year without being fired. We still have a long way to go, but this concession shows that together, we can make our voices heard.

Help us take our message to Jimmy John's workers across the nation- together we can win paid sick days and the respect and dignity all workers deserve!

To participate, email the Union at jimmyjohnsworkers [at] gmail.com. We will give you instructions on how to set up an outreach event in your community.

Together, we will win!

Campaign related Facebook Event - link

For more info - jimmyjohnsworkers.org