#KLAW kitten liberation armed whissitance 

We’re getting ready for May Day! New York: join the Immigrant Worker Justice throw-down on May 1, 12 noon at Bryant Park.
https://www.facebook.com/events/443063909121561/

Would you eat at a restaurant that STEALS from their workers and FIRES them for standing up for their rights?

Write a review on Yelp! and let “Dishes” know that their illegal retaliation will not be tolerated. Workers have a right to collective action in the workplace.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/dishes-new-york#hrid:928wehmJpn9wONrhXqK-PA

Be sure to mention it if you’re a former “Dishes” customer.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/dishes-new-york#hrid:928wehmJpn9wONrhXqK-PA

#DirtyDishes: Retaliate? We escalate!

URGENT: 23 Cablevision Workers Fired After Union Action

Two Cablevision workers talk about getting illegally fired yesterday for DARING to speak to their boss.

This morning (Thursday 1/31), a coalition of labor supporters and other activists will accompany the workers BACK to work. Cablevision MUST reinstate these illegally fired workers! NY will NOT allow this attack on union workers. 

Join us! Meet at 7:30am at the Cablevision garage at 9502 Ave. D (at E. 96th St.) Near the Canarsie Stop on the L train, and the B17 & B60 buses stop close by.

Map: http://goo.gl/maps/kToDz

More info: http://labornotes.org/blogs/2013/01/cablevision-fires-23-technicians-after-union-action

rebrandwalmart:

Walmart keeps standards low to give YOU low prices.

We’re Greedy. Find our competitors paying their employees less? We’ll match them, guaranteed. 

We Exploit Workers. We gladly ignore abuses at our manufacturing and warehouse facilities. We also retaliate against workers when they speak up! :-)

Make your own Walmart signs.

From Bangladesh to the Jersey shore, (sing it!) Solidarity Forever!!  

They have taken untold millions that they never toiled to earn,
But without our brain and muscle not a single wheel can turn.
We can break their haughty power, gain our freedom when we learn
that the union makes us strong.

http://www.thenation.com/blog/171823/occupy-activists-stage-block-boat-protest-against-ship-bearing-walmart-goods-bangladesh

Workers Win Historic Election for Union Representation at New York Restaurant Chain Hot and Crusty   

Citing Company-Wide Wage Theft, Safety Violations, Verbal Abuse and Sexual Harassment, Workers Vote for Independent Union in 12 to 8 Victory

New York, NY—May 24, 2012 Workers at the 63^rd street location of Hot and Crusty restaurant voted yesterday to certify an independent union, the Hot and Crusty Workers Association, with 20 of 22 eligible employees submitting their vote at the National Labor Relations Board. After a 4 month-long public campaign to bring attention to injustices in the workplace, workers were overjoyed by news of their victory. Documenting widespread labor violations spanning 6 years, including overtime and minimum wage violations, non-compliance with health and safety codes, and sexual harassment and verbal abuse of female employees, workers began organizing their campaign after approaching grassroots community organization Laundry Workers Center United to assist them in their efforts.

Following multiple attempts by the workers to reach a reasonable agreement with the company, parties came to an impasse when management refused to negotiate in good faith over terms and conditions of employment. Responding to the employers’ threat that “structural changes within the workplace would not happen without a union,” the workers formed an independent labor organization and filed a petition for certification with the National Labor Relations Board.

Employing provisions contained in New York State’s newly enacted Wage Theft Prevention Act, championed by community organizations and State Senator Diane Savino (D-SI/Brooklyn), a civil lawsuit was simultaneously filed for overtime and minimum wage violations, as well as liquidated damages. Gene Eisner of Eisner and Mirer, P.C, counsel to the workers, emphasized the importance of the Act’s “stiffened penalties, liquidated damages and critical protections for the undocumented in reclaiming what is rightfully owed to these hardworking individuals.”

Applauding the workers resolve in rejecting multiple settlement offers that failed to address continued violations in the workplace, Laundry Workers Center Founder, Virgilio Aran, said “this was a struggle completely led by the workers, and the decisions were made collectively to address structural issues that many immigrant workers in this country face. We have all learned a great deal from their courage and determination to organize.”

Mahoma Lopez, a leader in the campaign who has worked at Hot and Crusty for over 7 years, stressed the importance of workers coming together in their workplace to stand up against injustice, saying “this is a victory for us all, particularly for immigrant workers. We have shown the bosses that when we organize, there is no stopping us. When we come together, we are strong.”

The company has responded to the workers organizing efforts with threats, intimidation, and offers of monetary compensation, all of which are unlawful under the National Labor Relations Act. Workers at other Hot and Crusty locations have subsequently come forward with similar wage and hour violations, which are currently being investigated. Recently the company hired a union-busting firm and forbid workers from speaking to the press in response to the success of the organizing of the Laundry Workers Center.

CONTACT: Nastaran Mohit (914)557-6408                     CONTACT: Virgilio Aran (347)394-8350

                    nastaran@lwcu.org                                                    virgilio@lwcu.org

Dear Friends,

The Restaurant Opportunities Center of New York (ROC-NY) invites you and any other supporters to come out on Wednesday, May 16th, from 6-7 PM, for an action in support of Capital Grille workers that are part of the Dignity at Darden campaign.

Our most recent actions against retaliation have sent a strong message to the company and energized the workers. So, let’s keep building!

Dignity at Darden is a nationwide workplace justice campaign launched by the Restaurant Opportunities Center United (ROC-United) involving Capital Grille workers in five cities. Darden, which owns the Capital Grille, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, and more, is the largest full-service restaurant group in the world, and it claims to be a “leader” in the industry. However, workers have filed a class action lawsuit alleging wage theft and discrimination, and have sought to change other unfair working conditions.

For more information about the campaign, you can go to DignityAtDarden.org

Again, here are the details for the event: When: Wednesday,May 16th, 6-7 PM, Where:155 E 42nd Street (between 3rd Ave. and Lexington). In front of the Capital Grille, Chrysler Center

Your support is much appreciated, and will play an important role in the success of the campaign.

Please RSVP to john@rocyny.org

ROC-NY invites you to our Dignity at Darden workplace justice action against RETALIATION! Workers at the Capital Grille, owned by Darden Restaurants, have been engaged in organizing activities for months, but the company continues to RETALIATE against them. Join us for an action as we tell Capital Grille and Darden to END RETALIATION, and respect the right to organize. 

Dignity at Darden is a nationwide workplace justice campaign launched by the Restaurant Opportunities Center United (ROC-United) involving Capital Grille workers in five cities. Darden, which owns the Capital Grille, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, and more, is the largest full-service restaurant group in the world, and it claims to be a “leader” in the industry. However, workers have filed a class action lawsuit alleging wage theft and discrimination, and have sought to change other unfair working condition, like lack of paid sick days, poverty wages, and an abusive working environment. For more information about the campaign, go to www.DignityAtDarden.org

Contact for action: John Cronan, Jr.
John@rocny.org