Great video from @EyeOnTheGround re: our Bangladesh solidarity action in the Brooklyn Target store.
Target, Children’s Place and Gap Inc.: sign the Bangladesh Accord on Fire & Building Safety!
See http://99pickets.org/bangladesh for more info.
25 activists affiliated with 99 Pickets and other local solidarity groups staged a demonstration inside the Target store at the Atlantic Center Mall in Brooklyn, NY, calling on the company to sign onto the recently negotiated Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Building Safety.
The action drew a heavy police and security guard presence that eventually forced the group from the store after about 15 minutes. As they reached the store exit, repeated attempts were made to deliver a letter to the store manager on this issue, but nobody on staff would receive the letter. The group continued the demonstration as they made their way to the mall exit, and along the way, a letter was successfully delivered to the Children’s Place, another company that sources apparel from Bangladesh and that has not signed the Accord.
At the mall exit, amidst some confusion, an incident occurred where one of the activists was arrested and taken to the nearby 78th police precinct. More news will be forthcoming as we get it.
#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.
More info: http://labornotes.org/blogs/2013/01/cablevision-fires-23-technicians-after-union-action
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! :-)
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
Support Strand Bookstore workers in their ongoing fight for a fair contract! Weds 4:30pm #99PKTS #ows
The workers of the Strand Bookstore have been without a contract since September 1st, 2011. As we continue to negotiate with our stubborn employer, we have been taking action to accelerate the process. On May Day we held a strong picket outside the store. Our success that day was due in no small part to friends & allies who joined our line. We have decided to act again, so we ask y’all to spread the word to all possible.
On Wednesday, May 30th the Strand will be hosting a free, public event celebrating the store’s 85th anniversary. We will be crashing the party. The event begins at 5 PM. We plan to picket the store at 4:30 PM. We then plan to attend the soiree, partaking of the free cake & champagne. Before & during all of this, we will leaflet the sidewalk outside the store. Workers will be dressed in Union garb all day at work & at the event.
The workers of the Strand invite & beseech all who can to join us in fighting the greed of our own slice of the 1%. Our boss lives in Trump Tower; his daughter & co-owner is married to a US Senator. They ask us for wage freezes & givebacks while business is robust. We have mustered a strong resistance to their austerity; please help us move forward.
Solidarity,
Will Bobrowski
Shop Steward
Strand Bookstore
http://takebackthestrand.com/
On Wednesday, May 30th the Strand will be hosting a free, public event celebrating the store’s 85th anniversary. We will be crashing the party. The event begins at 5 PM. We plan to picket the store at 4:30 PM. We then plan to attend the soiree, partaking of the free cake & champagne. Before & during all of this, we will leaflet the sidewalk outside the store. Workers will be dressed in Union garb all day at work & at the event.
The workers of the Strand invite & beseech all who can to join us in fighting the greed of our own slice of the 1%. Our boss lives in Trump Tower; his daughter & co-owner is married to a US Senator. They ask us for wage freezes & givebacks while business is robust. We have mustered a strong resistance to their austerity; please help us move forward.
Solidarity,
Will Bobrowski
Shop Steward
Strand Bookstore
http://takebackthestrand.com/
Congrats to Hot & Crusty workers who won union election yesterday! Si se puede! #99PKTS #ows
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 63rd 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
TONIGHT! Support @ROC_NY and workers, and demand an end to retaliation by Capital Grille. 6pm, 155 E 42nd. #99PKTS
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
