News - All Departments and Unions

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IWW's International Solidarity Commission Statement on the Isreali Attack on the Mavi Marmaris

Posted Tue, 06/29/2010 - 7:38pm by x344543

The International Solidarity Commission (ISC) of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), a global union dedicated to revolutionary social change and workers self-management, is shocked and appalled by Israeli forces’ attack this morning on the lead ship of a humanitarian aid convoy, the Turkish vessel “Mavi Marmaris”, killing at least ten people.

The ISC holds the Israeli authorities entirely responsible for the provocative storming of the ship, and condemns the harm caused to the civilians on board, who included peace activists and parliamentarians from many different countries.

The ISC supports any efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, who have been suffering the effects of the Israeli blockade since 2007, a suffering greatly intensified by the massacre of Dec 2008-Jan 2009. We salute the brave human rights activists attempting to deliver aid to the people of Gaza, including the crew and passengers on the MV Rachel Corrie, en route to Gaza.

Richmond Transit Riders Union Holds First Meeting

Posted Wed, 06/16/2010 - 10:14am by x370724

Original Published at RVAnews [ http://rvanews.com/news/rrichmond-transit-riders-union-holds-first-meeting/29072 ]

Note: The Richmond Transit Riders Union was officially formed June 14th, 2010 at 9:30pm by riders of public transportation, namely Greater Richmond Transit Company, a bus system that serves the City of Richmond, Henrico, Petersburg, Fredricksburg, and *small* portion of Chesterfield County (co-owner with the City of Richmond), Virginia.

Richmond Transit Riders Union holds first meeting

by Erica Terrini

June 15, 2010

About 30 people attended the Richmond Transit Riders Union’s first Community Town Hall Meeting, Monday night at the University of Richmond Downtown building.

The RTRU’s initiating committee — made up of individual activists, Richmond Industrial Workers of the World members and other local organization supporters — spoke to community members about the Greater Richmond Transit Company’s (GRTC) recent service cuts, which they claim began with about five routes being eliminated and five being reduced in January.

Philadelphia Unionists to Picket German Consul in Solidarity with German Union FAU

Posted Wed, 06/09/2010 - 1:44pm by x344543

Members of the Philadelphia General Membership Branch of the Industrial Workers of the World will picket the German Consul during his appearance at the Union League (140 South Broad St.) Thursday at noon to speak to members of the German-American Chamber of Commerce. This is the second action held in Philadelphia protesting escalating violations of basic labor rights in Germany.

Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany Dr. Horst Freitag will be speaking in Philadelphia as a German appeals court meets to hear an appeal by the Free Workers Union (FAU) against a court order barring them from exercising basic labor rights, including describing themselves as a union, appealing to the public to support their members engaged in industrial disputes, or seeking to negotiate with employers for better conditions.

Greek Solidarity Demo in Chicago - 5/13/2010

Posted Wed, 06/09/2010 - 1:32pm by x344543

Originally posted here

To friends and comrades in Greece,

On Thursday, May 13 a dozen of us held a demonstration against the Greek Consulate in Chicago. We want to remind you that even in the most difficult times, you have the active solidarity of uncounted others around the world. A vast subversive project is still taking shape everywhere, however slowly, and your struggle is one node among many.

Repression may be raging against you there, and our numbers here might be small, but the important thing to remember is that you've found your resonance. This resonance spreads around the world, laying foundations for real connections and the deepening of struggles.

Monday 12 April notes from meeting at the USA Embassy.

Posted Wed, 06/02/2010 - 12:51am by x344543

By Jonathan Christiansen

On Monday 12 April Amirul Amin and myself met with outgoing Political Officer /Human Rights Officer) David Arulanantham, and his incoming replacement, Forrest Graham.

The meeting began with introductions. We then discussed the human rights mission of the office and further discussed the 2009 Bangladesh human rights report that the office had recently released. David told us it could be found on the State.gov website.

Amin explained that he had met with the previous officer Mr. Gupta on several occasions. He explained that many of the past struggles in the EPZS involved the NGWF including the YEOWMON (?) (Korean owned garment Factory) struggle. He further explained that the US has a major influence on the Bangladesh government. He stated that the Bangladesh min. Wage is 1,662 taka per month, which is appallingly low (about US $24 a month).

Amin then went on to explain problems with current labor law in BD and problems with enforcement. Including: