Monday, December 18, 2006

[olympiaworkers] U.S. Army May Break Steelworker's Strike!

U.S. Army May Break Steelworker's Strike!

By Bernard Simon in Toronto

The US Army is considering measures to force striking workers back to
their jobs at a Goodyear Tire & Rubber plant in Kansas in the face of a
looming shortage of tyres for Humvee trucks and other military equipment
used in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A strike involving 17,000 members of the United Steelworkers union has
crippled 16 Goodyear plants in the US and Canada since October 5.

The main issues in dispute are the company's plans to close a unionised
plant in Texas, and a proposal for workers to shoulder future increases in
healthcare costs.

An army spokeswoman said on Friday that "there's not a shortage right now
but there possibly will be one in the future".

According to Duncan Hunter, chairman of the House of Representatives armed
services committee, the strike has cut output of Humvee tyres by about 35
per cent.

Mr Hunter said that the army had stopped supplying tyres to units not
related to the Central Command, which is responsible for operations in
Iraq and Afghanistan. Tyres were also not being provided to army repair
depots.

While concern has centred on the Humvees, tyres are also critical to
aircraft and other military equipment.

Goodyear brushed off concerns of looming shortages, saying that production
at the Kansas plant, where the Humvee tyres are made, "is near normal
levels and will be back to 100 per cent in the near future."

It added that "we're in daily contact with the military to ensure delivery
of the required Humvee tyres".

The company said it was using salaried and temporary workers to keep the
Kansas plant running. It has taken similar measures at other plants, as
well as stepping up imports from overseas factories to maintain supplies
to the car and truck industry.

The union claims that the strikebound plants are running at about 20 per
cent of capacity. Goodyear has said that North American output is at about
half normal levels, including non-union plants.

According to Mr Hunter, the army is exploring a possible injunction under
the Taft-Hartley Act to force the 200 Kansas workers back to their jobs.

He proposed that they return under their current terms of employment, on
the understanding that any settlement would be extended to them.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16226231/


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

Taft-Hartley Act
>From Wikipedia
The Labor-Management Relations Act, commonly known as the Taft-Hartley
Act, is a United States federal law that severely restricts the activities
and power of labor unions. The Act, still largely in effect, was sponsored
by Senator Robert Taft and Representative Fred A. Hartley, Jr.. U.S.
President Harry S. Truman described the act as a "slave-labor bill" and
vetoed it, adding that it would "conflict with important principles of our
democratic society". The Senate followed the House of Representatives in
overriding Truman's veto on June 23, 1947, establishing the act as a law.
The Taft-Hartley Act amended the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA, also
known as the Wagner Act), which Congress had passed in 1935.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taft-Hartley_Act

Monday, December 04, 2006

[olympiaworkers] This Holiday Season Remember the Starbucks Baristas Struggling for Justice

Monday, December 04 2006

Starbucks workers need your help to continue organizing a union with the
Industrial Workers of the World. With members at seven Starbucks locations
and growing, the IWW baristas are proving that workers at large
multinational retailers can gain an independent voice on the job. However,
we can't do it alone. The coffee giant is waging a fierce union-busting
campaign to defeat our organization and we need your financial support to
continue fighting for justice at work and in society.

This Holiday Season Remember the Starbucks Baristas Struggling for Justice

Sisters and Brothers,

Starbucks workers need your help to continue organizing a union with the
Industrial Workers of the World. With members at seven Starbucks locations
and growing, the IWW baristas are proving that workers at large
multinational retailers can gain an independent voice on the job. However,
we can't do it alone. The coffee giant is waging a fierce union-busting
campaign to defeat our organization and we need your financial support to
continue fighting for justice at work and in society.

A SWU Success Story

Sarah Bender joined the IWW Starbucks Workers Union after two months on
the job at the world's largest coffee chain. Like each and every Starbucks
barista in the United States, Sarah was a part-time employee. With her
schedule fluctuating unpredictably between 11 and 35 hours of work per
week, Sarah could not count on a steady paycheck to pay the bills. Her
irregular schedule meant that she often had to arrive at work at 5:00 a.m.
after a long commute only to be sent home just four hours later. Sarah's
precarious work life soon caused serious sleep problems. To get the
justice she deserved at work, Sarah decided to go union with the SWU.
Shamefully, Starbucks retaliated against her for exercising her
fundamental right to organize.

"I felt like I was walking on eggshells, always afraid that if I came a
minute late, or my register was off by pennies, I would face termination.
Starbucks certainly created an atmosphere of fear around the whole union
idea."

Soon after co-workers overheard the store manager complain that Sarah was
informing people about the union, Starbucks fired her. The SWU paid Sarah
an organizing stipend, on which she assembled a coalition opposing
Starbucks' unfair labor practices. She led several picket lines, and
successfully attracted local and national media attention. Meanwhile, the
SWU filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board. Sarah and
another employee won their jobs back, won a back pay award, and the NLRB
ordered Starbucks to cease and desist from its threats, bribes, and
surveillance aimed at driving out the SWU. Together Sarah and the SWU have
created more space to organize for every barista.

On May 17, 2004, workers at a midtown Manhattan Starbucks announced the
founding of the first union in the United States at the company. In less
than two and a half years of organizing, the Starbucks Workers Union has
won wage increases of almost 25% in New York City. Although the SWU's wage
gains are significant, Starbucks' entry-level wage of $8.75/hour is still
far from a living wage in NYC. Union workers have also won schedules that
are more consistent though Starbucks has yet to guarantee a minimum number
of work hours each week. Also, this summer the organizing drive expanded
to Chicago where Starbucks workers have already chalked up important
victories in compensation and safety.

Most importantly, as Isis Saenz explains, "Before I joined the Starbucks
Workers Union, I used to keep my head down and do anything management told
me. Now, I demand respect -- as a worker and as a human being." Sadly,
soon after uttering these words Isis was illegally fired for participating
in a union protest. She's now fighting for her job back.

The SWU has given its members a new sense of dignity, a sense that they
deserve respect. The SWU is poised to continue its growth through its
contacts with baristas around the country. Unfortunately, Starbucks'
paychecks are so small that there's little room for union dues. Currently,
dues are $6 per month. As a result, the SWU depends on donations from
people like you in order to succeed in building a union.

Here's how your donation will be spent:

* Stipends for organizers - All SWU organizers are currently unpaid. To
expand the campaign, we need to pay stipends to our otherwise unpaid
organizers to sustain their work.
* Campaign literature and other materials to accomodate the burgeoning
interest in the campaign around the world
* Strike Fund
* Office space

To make your contribution log on to
[http://starbucksunion.org/contribute]. Thank you in advance for your
solidarity and generosity. Together we can build a society where every
worker has a voice and can live with dignity.

In Solidarity,

Fundraising Committee IWW Starbucks Workers Union


http://www.iww.org/en/node/3044


http://www.starbucksunion.org/node/1126

http://www.retailworker.com/node/31258

Friday, December 01, 2006

[olympiaworkers] Oaxaca Calls to Action - please repost

Spread the word!

Please forward and re-post these urgent calls to action

December 1, 2006 - Oaxaca is under siege. More than 140 people were
arrested November 23rd through 25th and three were killed. The repression
has reached new heights, with disappearances occuring daily. The Federal
Police (PFP) are deploying special operation units to crush the popular
uprising, and have issued statements declaring that they will do whatever
it takes to put an end to the movement by December 1st, when the new
government takes power.

APPO, the popular assembly of the peoples of Oaxaca, has issued a call for
solidarity demonstrations on December 1st. International attention and
pressure is desperately needed.

Oaxaca Solidarity Demonstrations in the US on Friday, December 1st
http://elenemigocomun.net/592
(please add more events as a comment)

Los Angeles: All day protest at Mexican Consulate (2401 W. Sixth St.)
http://la.indymedia.org/news/2006/11/189892.php

Madison: 3:30pm Rally and march for Oaxaca on Library Mall (UW campus end
of State St.)
http://elenemigocomun.net/589

Minneapolis: 5:00pm Demonstration at Channel 4 WCCO (Nicollet and 10th Ave.)
http://radicalendar.org/calendar/twincities/all/display/56113/index.php

NYC: 12:00pm Rally at Mexican Consulate to UN (44th St. btw 1st and 2nd Ave.)
http://elenemigocomun.net/591

Portland: All day Flyer distribution
http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2006/11/350035.shtml

Sacramento: 11:00am Protest at Mexican Consulate (1010 8th St.)
http://indybay.org/newsitems/2006/11/30/18334230.php

San Diego: 6:00pm Silent Vigil for Oaxaca at Mexican Consulate (1549 India
St)
http://sandiego.indymedia.org/en/2006/11/122545.shtml

San Jose: 12:00pm Protest at Mexican Consulate (540 North First St.)
http://elenemigocomun.net/592#comment-889

DECEMBER 2nd

Atlanta, GA: Call to Action, 12:00 noon at Plaza Fiesta on Buford Highway,
Capital Terminus Collective, capitalterminus@gmail.com

San Francisco: 2:00pm Lessons from Oaxaca at the Womens Building (3543
18th St.)
http://elenemigocomun.net/590

DECEMBER 7th

Chicago: 7:00pm Oaxaca Resiste!!
http://chicago.indymedia.org/newswire/display/75159/index.php

DECEMBER 8th

Rochester: 6:00pm The Peoples Struggle for a Liberated Oaxaca!
http://rochester.indymedia.org/newswire/display/19781/index.php

DECEMBER 15th

DC 7:00pm Film Screening: Granito de Arena - A benefit for Oaxacas
striking Teachers
http://dc.indymedia.org/newswire/display/136846/index.php

Oaxaca solidarity:

El Enemigo Comun
http://elenemigocomun.net

Mexico Solidarity Network http://www.mexicosolidarity.org

Re: [olympiaworkers] IWW meeting next week

Great!  I hope you'll all head over to the Homeless Forum at 7 at the Washington Center after your meeting.


Monica Peabody

Welfare Rights Organizing Coalition
701 Franklin Street SE
Olympia, WA  98501
(360)352-9716
toll free (866)343-9716
www.wroc.org




On Nov 30, 2006, at 12:03 PM, olympiaworkers@riseup.net wrote:

There will be a meeting on Wednesday December 6 (that's next week) at
5:00pm at BRAC (Bread and Roses Advocacy Center) 1009 4th Ave E. We will
talk about preperations we have to make to get ready for the IWW
(Industrial Workers of the World) workplace organizing training which will
be held the 3rd weekend of January. This meeting is open to wobblies, OWA
members, labor activists, workers... and really anyone interested.

Hope to see you there.

Brendan
360 943-5344

www.iww.org
www.olympiaworkers.org

Thursday, November 30, 2006

[olympiaworkers] IWW meeting next week

There will be a meeting on Wednesday December 6 (that's next week) at
5:00pm at BRAC (Bread and Roses Advocacy Center) 1009 4th Ave E. We will
talk about preperations we have to make to get ready for the IWW
(Industrial Workers of the World) workplace organizing training which will
be held the 3rd weekend of January. This meeting is open to wobblies, OWA
members, labor activists, workers... and really anyone interested.

Hope to see you there.

Brendan
360 943-5344

www.iww.org
www.olympiaworkers.org

Monday, November 13, 2006

[olympiaworkers] Poor. Peoples. Union. – Calling a General Strike on Homelessness!

reposted from http://olyblog.net/blog/rob-richards/poor-peoples-union-calling-a-general-strike-on-homelessnes

Submitted by Rob Richards on Sun, 11/12/2006 - 3:22pm.

Well, we are officially 24 hours old right now and we are already Olympia's largest radical union organization. I'm not sure of the exact number but we have somewhere around 70-80 members that have paid dues so far.

Great turnout for the inaugural meeting, about 25, which is excellent for a first meeting. We voted the union into existence and approved the name 'Poor Peoples Union'. We also formed three committees and nominated chairs and co-chairs for those committees. The committees are: Steering Committee, which was tasked with researching union structures and reporting back to the membership with suggestions for the inernal structure and process of the PPU; Action Committee, which has been tasked with laying out a framework for action to be taken against poverty, it was the consensus of the membership that a general strike against h.o.m.e.l.e.s.s.n.e.s.s. begin as soon as possible, this committee will look at what our options are; Propaganda Committee, which will develop flyers, press releases, posters, etc., they will begin their work by creating a flyer to announce the PPU to the world.

I've left any names out so as not to violate the wishes of those involved. Chair and co-chair are rotating positions that hold no authority, and serve as facilitators and point persons while elected.

My take on the meeting: I'm very excited about all of this, it feels like we're really starting something good here. Empowerment is in the air. I urge anyone who is interested in being a part of the PPU to come to our meetings, which will be every other saturday from now on. Or, and even better, stop by BRAC (1009 4th Ave) and ask for Rob or Matt or Tim, or all three, at least one of us is usually there, and we'll be glad to talk to you about it.

PS - 1.) Any current labor union members out there who could help advise in regards to organizing and process, any help is welcome.
2.) Large and extra large jackets, camping gear, blankets, socks, underclothes are all items that are desperately needed. Donations will be tax deductible in the near future, but please, donate now. (and wash your skivvies before you bring them in this time, Norm)

There will be more updates as things happen!

Sunday, November 12, 2006

[olympiaworkers] Bay Area Movie Threater Workers ask for Solidarity

Fellow Workers,

We in the Bay Area are asking for your help in our ongoing campaign
at the Landmark Theatres in Berkeley.
Specifically, we are asking you do to a day of action on November
17th-19th at one of the Landmark Theatres were you live.
This does not have to be a huge 3 day action; but at least a two-hour
evening time slot; were we have people leafletting out in front of a
theatre.
We have a flyer that is ready to be used and we can get that you
quickly.
Friday evening is a good target because of possible new releases.
Saturday at 6pm is considered to be a high-point in attendance, and a
good target. Targeting should be done around movie start times.
We need to give Landmark a kick in the ass during negotiations, and
we need your support to do so.
Please let me know how involved you can be. And send a report on the
activities that do happen.
in solidarity,
Harjit Singh Gill
Bay Area IWW

Saturday, November 11, 2006

[olympiaworkers] Organized Workers for Labor Solidarity

Dear OWLS members and other labor activists,

This is an update on our next OWLS meeting, and announcement of a
victory for our immigrant rights campaign.

The next meeting of OWLS (Organized Workers for Labor Solidarity)
will be on Tuesday, November 14, 7pm, at the home of Bernadette
Logue, SEIU member, in the lovely workingclass district of
Georgetown! The address is 6726 Corson Ave. S., Seattle. It's off
the Corson/Michigan street exit on southbound I-5. If you need
directions call Bernadette at 206-762-7517. Or you can leave a
message on my cell at 854-1085.

One of the areas that OWLS is working on is to do education and
organizing around immigrant rights within the labor movement. We want
to push the labor leadership to defend and organize immigrant
workers. The resolution calls for taking a stand against
anti-immigrant raids, using our labor halls as a sanctuary for
immigrants, opposing CAFTA, NAFTA and other free trade agreements,
and other actions. To that end, OWLS has a resolution it is
promoting in different unions. Last week, Amalgamated Transit Union
587 adopted the resolution by an overwhelming margin. Equally
important, the discussion was thoughtful, and provocative.

The resolution can be viewed in its entirety on a website by Andy
Heyman, a UFCW activist. Go to
blackwhite.blog-city.working_is_not_a_crime.htm

The next OWLS meeting will be a great opportunity to discuss the
resolution, and how we can use it to get labor more involved in
defending immigrant rights, in concrete ways.

Hope to see you on Tuesday, November 14 at the OWLS meeting.
And feel free to forward this to all organized/unorganized workers who
would be interested.

In solidarity,
Linda Averill

[olympiaworkers] 14th Annual Regional Tacoma Leonard Peltier March Statement

Please Post Widely

From:
Tacoma Leonard Peltier Support Group
P.O. Box 5464
Tacoma, WA 98415-0464
bayou@blarg.net

STATEMENT FOR:
THE 14TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL DAY IN SOLIDARITY WITH LEONARD PELTIER
REGIONAL TACOMA MARCH AND RALLY: FEBRUARY 10, 2007

The shadow of totalitarianism is slowly creeping across the land. Our civil
liberties are under attack. Our government has our country fighting a war of
aggression that is not in the interest of the people of this land. If you
take a close look at all that is taking place you will be able to see direct
parallels to the case of Leonard Peltier and thus understand why all people
who believe in peace, justice and freedom should actively support Leonard.

The first connection can be found in whose interests the government is
acting in. There are few today that cannot see that the war in Iraq is about
oil and the interests of the multi-national energy corporations. Behind the
events that took place on the Pine Ridge Reservation were the interests of
the multi-national energy corporations wanting uranium that was found there.
In both cases armed force was used to seize control of those resources and
to suppress opposition.

In the pursuit of suppressing opposition, constitutional and human rights
were denied. Matter of fact, many things that the FBI did against AIM and
Leonard Peltier, which at the time were illegal, the government has made
legal by acts of congress. Though the government says that such denial of
human rights is justifiable for their war against "terrorism", the fact is
that the government has also targeted those who oppose its policies who are
clearly not terrorists. The case of Leonard Peltier clearly shows why such
power should never be given to the FBI and others in power. For it can be
seen clearly that Leonard's constitutional rights were denied him.

The reasons given by the government for the war in Iraq have been shown to
be fabrications to justify the war. Still the war continues. The evidence
that the government presented at Leonard's trial has all been disproved as
either fabricated evidence or intimidated witnesses, to the point that even
the courts have admitted it. Still Leonard is in prison and no new and fair
trial is granted.

The government has done all that it can to suppress the documents that it
has on both the war in Iraq and the case of Leonard Peltier. In Leonard's
case there are over 120,000 pages of documents that are still being withheld
for reasons of "national security." Whose national security is being
protected? In both cases the national security of the people is being
threaten by the withholding of the truth.

One year the police contacted us about our march and asked us if there will
be any anti-war people in our march. Our answer was, we don't believe that
there will be any pro-war people in the march. Even the police worried about
the connection between peace and justice.

For these reasons we are calling for all people who believe in peace,
justice and freedom to join us for the 14th Annual International Day in
Solidarity with Leonard Peltier Regional Tacoma March and Rally.
In The Spirit Of Crazy Horse
Tacoma Leonard Peltier Support Group
Susan Morales
Steve Hapy
Arthur J. Miller
As individual fingers we can easily be broken, but all together we make a
mighty fist.
-- Sitting Bull

14th ANNUAL NW REGIONAL
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF SOLIDARITY FOR
LEONARD PELTIER
MARCH & RALLY FOR JUSTICE

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10th, 2007, TACOMA, WA.

12:00 NOON: MARCH FOR JUSTICE Portland Ave. Park (on Portland Ave. between
E. 35th & E. Fairbanks. Take Portland Ave. exit off I-5 and head east)

1:00 PM: RALLY FOR JUSTICE U.S. Federal Court House, 1717-Pacific Ave.

Performances by:
The Aztec Dancers
United Nations: Native Rap Activists
Albert Combs
Speakers:
Matilaja: Yu'Pik/Yakama, Tacoma LPSG: M.C.
Robert Robideau: Co-Director of the LPDC and Co Defendant
Shelly Vendiola: Indigenous Women's Network, Network
Steve Hapy: Tacoma Leonard Peltier Support Group
Arthur J. Miller, Tacoma Leonard Peltier Support Group
Juan Jose Bocanegra: Every Worker's Movement
Frank Reynolds: Native American Coalition
Bill Bichsel: Catholic Worker, JWJ
Zoltan Grossman: Olympia Movement for Justice and Peace, Faculty Evergreen's
Native American Studies

CARAVANS/CAR POOLS

OLYMPIA: There will be a carpool leaving from the parking lot at Harrison
and Division at 10:30.
EUGENE: Drivers and people needing rides meet at the Grower's Market parking
lot (454 Willamette, by the Amtrak station) at 7:30 am. (The Eugene Caravan
will be meeting up with the Portland Caravan).
PORTLAND: Drivers and people needing rides, meet in the main parking lot
(entrance just north of Killingworth from Albina, parking lot entrance on
the right, behind the student services building) at PCC Cascade Campus at
9:30 am.

(If anyone can set up other caravans/car pools in other areas like the
Bellingham area please contact us at: bayou@blarg.net)

These are very important times for Leonard Peltier. A new lawsuit has been
filed to get all the documents the government has withheld. There are many
parallels between Leonard's case & the war in Iraq. Both were created upon
the foundation of lies. In time many of the fabrications were revealed. In
both cases the government resisted releasing documents that revealed the
truth. Behind both are the same reasons for what took place, the interests
of multi-national energy corporations. This year our call is for: PEACE
WITH JUSTICE & TRUTH! FREE THE DOCUMENTS!

We need help getting the word out for this event. Please forward this and
other messages we send out to web sites, blogs, e-mail lists, organizations
and friends. If you can help handout fliers or post fliers and posters
please send your mailing address to: bayou@blarg.net

WE NEED DONATIONS. We are a grassroots organization with no outside funding.
All our donations for our marches for the last 14 years have come from
supporters like you. Any amount helps. All money donated goes to printing
and mailing.

(Donations Needed! Please send to:)
Tacoma Leonard Peltier Support Group
P.O. BOX 5464
TACOMA, WA 98415-0464
bayou@blarg.net

For up-dates and notices on helping Leonard Peltier please sign up on the NW
Peltier Support e-mail list by sending an e-mail to:
nwpeltiersupport-subscribe@lists.riseup.net.

"I have no doubt whatsoever that the real motivation behind both Wounded
Knee II and the Oglala firefight, and much of the turmoil throughout Indian
Country since the early 1970s, was-and is-the mining companies' desire to
muffle AIM and all traditional Indian people, who sought-and still seek-to
protect the land, water, and air from their thefts and depredations. In this
sad and tragic age we live in, to come to the defense of Mother Earth is to
be branded a criminal."
-- Leonard Peltier, Prison Writings --

"I'M STILL HERE. I am all at once saddened, exhilarated, angry, proud,
defiant, and puzzled by that fact. Here in prison, after 28 years (30 years
now) of unjust incarceration, I am a living example of the injustice,
racism, fear, and inequity that still exists in some parts of the United
States of America. This is particularly true when it comes to America's
views and actions towards Indian people. Residing in the best hopes of all
of us is the dream that America has moved away from the days of hostility
towards the Indigenous people of this land. And yet, we are shown with daily
regularity, a reality that defies this dream. A reality that American
Indians are incarcerated at a disproportionately high rate. A reality that
American Indians are denied decent health care, housing, and education. A
reality so dire, that the United States Civil Rights Commission has had to
address it, calling it "A Quiet Crisis."
Leonard Peltier


Leonard Peltier, a citizen of the Anishinabe and Lakota Nations, is a
father, a grandfather, an artist, a writer, and an Indigenous rights
activist. He has spent more than twenty-seven years in prison for a crime he
did not commit. Amnesty International considers him a "political prisoner"
who should be "immediately and unconditionally released."

The Case Of Leonard Peltier

After a conflict between the Lakota people and the U.S. government and
corporate interests a peace treaty was signed and the great Lakota
reservation was created in the late 19th century. That peace treaty meant
nothing to U.S. interests, for its terms were violated from almost the
moment it was signed. Those interests continued to steal more Lakota land
wherever they found gold and other minerals that they wanted. At the same
time, they sought to destroy the Lakota way of life. U.S. interests outlawed
Lakota religion and massacred the Lakota at Wounded Knee in an act of
religious suppression. U.S. interests kidnapped Lakota children and placed
them in internment, in schools where they were held for years away from
their families, while their language and traditions were being beaten out of
them. U.S. interests carried out a secret forced program of sterilization of
Lakota women. Then, in the 1920s, acting upon the interests of oil and
mineral companies, the U.S. forced a 'government' entity upon the Lakota
people, to be controlled by those corporate and U.S. interests.

In the late 1960s uranium was found in the northwest section of the Pine
Ridge Lakota Reservation. The U.S. interests wanted that uranium for their
weapons of mass destruction and nuclear power plants.

The U.S. interests knew that the Lakota people would not give up any more of
their land willingly: they had already refused to take payment for the Black
Hills, stolen from them for its gold. U.S. interests then set out to
suppress all possible resistance to further theft. That led the resisters'
to request the help of the American Indian Movement (AIM). Upon a request by
Lakota Elders, a stand was taken at Wounded Knee, on the Pine Ridge
reservation of the Lakota people.

In the two and a half years after what became known as Wounded Knee II there
was a 'Reign of Terror' the resisters on Pine Ridge was forced to suffer.
Whole villages were shot up, people were run off the road, many Native
people were wounded and over 67 of them were murdered. The Lakota people
again asked AIM for help and an AIM encampment was set up. Most of the
people in that encampment were from Northwest AIM. And Leonard Peltier was
one of them.

The AIM people were under considerable oppression and lived there daily in
danger from the death squad (they called themselves the Goon Squad). One day
two cars came speeding onto the land of their encampment, in the same manner
that earlier drive-by shootings by the death squad had taken place on Pine
Ridge. The AIM members there that day defended themselves from what they
saw as another murderous attack. In the firefight that took place two FBI
agents and one AIM member died.

Norman Zigrossi, head of the local FBI office at the time, defended the
illegal actions, saying, "Indians are a conquered nation and the FBI is
merely acting as a colonial police force." He went on, "When you're
conquered, the people you're conquered by dictate your future."

It is clear that the attack upon the AIM encampment was planned to start a
conflict to draw away resistance to the illegal signing away of Lakota land
that had taken place in Washington, D.C. at that time. Before the
firefight, hundreds of U.S. Government agents were brought on to Pine Ridge
reservation, the roads leading to the AIM encampment were blocked before the
firefight and local hospitals were given notice to expect casualties.

In the first trial of two AIM members, who had been in the firefight at
their encampment, the jury came back with a verdict of not guilty by reason
of self-defense.

The U.S. interests then put all their efforts into convicting Leonard
Peltier. They fabricated evidence, intimidated witnesses and illegally
changed judges, settling on one who would not allow Leonard's lawyers to
present his case of self-defense.

Through appeals, Leonard's lawyers have been able to disprove the case
against him to the point that the U.S. Government prosecutors have stated
that they don't know what role Leonard played in the firefight -- he was
just there that day and thus by default aided and abetted in the deaths of
the agents. It can be reasoned that since the first two AIM members were
found not guilty by reason of self-defense, then Leonard has been in prison
all these years for aiding and abetting an act of self-defense!

Much of our focus should be on FBI political repression, COINTELPRO, and how
they are connected to Leonard's case, for the FBI has been and continues to
be used as the U.S. Government's and corporate interests' Political Police
Force.

As you read this, Leonard's lawyers struggle to get all the documents that
the FBI has withheld in his case. The FBI claims it needs to withhold those
documents to protect national security. We need to ask, "Whose national
security needs to be protected from the truth?" Given that documents already
received by the defense team have exposed the U.S. Government's frame-up of
Leonard to the point that the government's lawyers have had to admit that
there is no evidence connecting him directly to the deaths of the FBI
agents, and have shown that the FBI took illegal, aggressive actions to
suppress the right of Native people to organize to air their grievances,
there is no doubt that documents still withheld will show further evidence
of FBI illegal actions.

Even the courts have recognized the repressive nature of the government
actions against AIM and Leonard. Judge Heaney stated, "The United States
Government overreacted at Wounded Knee. Instead of carefully considering the
legitimate grievances of the Native Americans, the response was essentially
a military one, which culminated in the deadly firefight on June 26, 1975."

And in 2003 the Tenth Circuit Court found that, "Much of the government's
behavior at the Pine Ridge Reservation and in its prosecution of Mr. Peltier
is to be condemned. The government withheld evidence. It intimidated
witnesses. These facts are not disputed."

Even with this acknowledgment Leonard has been in prison for over 28 years.
Leonard is not in prison based upon the laws of this land, for the courts
have stated over and over again that the U.S. government has violated those
laws in Leonard's case. Leonard Peltier is in prison for one reason and one
reason alone, and that is because it is in the interests of the few to keep
him locked up: because he represents the essence of this land, the wrong
upon which the United States was established, a simple truth which has to be
recognized before the country can ever be sound. Leonard suffers under the
same interests that hung Chief Leschi, the same interests that massacred the
Lakota at Wounded Knee, the same interests that are behind many of the wars
around the world, the same interest behind the WTO, the World Bank, the
International Monetary Fund, the same interests that strips our schools of
basic funds, that strip you of your unemployment benefits and overtime pay,
and the same interests that we all find ourselves struggling against in our
common pursuit of peace and well-being. Justice for Leonard and the end to
political repression by the FBI will only come from the organized spirit of
solidarity of all people struggling in their true interests.

Illegal actions by the FBI should be the concern of all American people who
believe in social justice, because Leonard was not and will not be the only
victim of political repression. Among those that were targeted by the FBI's
COINTELPRO were: Martin Luther King, Jr. and other civil rights activists
and organizations including the National Association for the Advancement of
Colored People (NAACP) and Jesse Jackson (note that the FBI also carried out
intimidation of Jackson supporters in the south when he ran for U.S.
president), Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers (UFW), the National
Lawyer's Guild, antinuclear weapons campaigns (SANE-Freeze), the National
Council of Churches, American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), antiwar
organizations, the alternative press, student organizations including the
National Students Association (TNSA) and Students for a Democratic Society
(SDS), environmental, anti-racism and feminist organizations, GI
organizations, socialist and communist parties, the Industrial
Workers of the World, organizations of self-determination for people of
color such as the Black Panthers, the Young Lords, the Brown Berets, and
Native organizations such as the American Indian Movement (AIM).

The political repression carried out by the FBI has never ended. It was seen
this year with the FBI's intimidation of antiwar protesters who planned to
protest at the national conventions of the two major political parties.
Though the FBI claimed it needed more power, money and agents to deal with
the threat of terrorism after 9-11, the agency still had the time, money,
and forces to harass people who questioned
the war in Iraq.

The same drive to acquire enormous profits that keep this country in Iraq
over the opposition of its own people is also what led to the U.S.
Government's suppression of traditional indigenous people, AIM and in its
frame-up of Leonard Peltier.

And as to making connections, the infliction of war on Iraq was justified by
using false documents, lies about weapons of mass destruction and sham
connections to terrorists. That is the same tactic the U.S. Government used
in its suppression of AIM and in its frame-up of Leonard Peltier. The
government used the war in Iraq in the interest of bringing global U.S.
company's huge profits, and on the Pine Ridge reservation that same
government carried out its repression in the interest of U.S. energy
corporations.

The Oglala People are unconquered -- We will not, and Leonard Peltier will
not give up the fight for justice.

Our annual focus for 14 years has been to hold a peaceful march in
solidarity with Leonard Peltier's struggle. We will not stop marching, we
will not be intimidated and we maintain the right to come out in public in
support of Leonard Peltier without persecution.

We call on you as sisters and brothers to join us at our Annual Regional
Tacoma March and Rally in Solidarity with Leonard Peltier, as we send the
message: We will not give up! We will not surrender! We will continue to
stand for justice for Leonard Peltier and for justice for all that he
represents for as long as it takes to set him free! Our strength is building
and time is on our side, the sweep of justice is moving throughout the world
and we are a part of that great wave of truth and justice. Please join with
us on Feb.4, 2006 for a tremendous show of solidarity, a march and rally in
Unified Solidarity for Justice for Leonard Peltier. All of us working
together will free Leonard Peltier.

In The Spirit Of Crazy Horse
Tacoma Leonard Peltier Support Group
Susan Morales
Steve Hapy
Arthur J. Miller
>

Friday, November 10, 2006

[olympiaworkers] Houston Janitors update

Hundreds of members of ``Justice for Janitors''
rallied in front of Houston police headquarters
tonight.

They gathered to protest the arrest of a striking
janitor earlier in the day.

Sgt. G. Batcheler said the protest began at about 8
p.m., although striking janitors had been protesting
in different locations in downtown since earlier this
morning.

``It has been peaceful. We've not been having any
problems,'' Batcheler said.

He estimated that approximately 500 janitors involved
in the strike gathered in front of the building at
1200 Travis.

Although patrol cars were circling the block and three
school buses were parked in the 1100 block of Travis,
Batcheler said the noisy protesters remained calm.

Another group of janitors held a similar protest in
front of the southeast substation where two janitors
who had been arrested earlier were being held in city
jail.

Men, women, and young children gathered and chanted
``Up with the protest'' and ``Arriba, revolution.''

Houston police mounted officers also were called in to
ensure that the striking workers stayed on the
sidewalk downtown.

Many in the crowd who were drinking bottled water and
eating snacks neatly deposited empty containers in a
box brought in by the striking janitorial workers.

``Their active efforts to clean up after themselves
may have been a result of incidents earlier in the
week where a few janitors dumped trash into some
buildings downtown,'' Batcheler said.

``Those incidents are still under investigation by
Houston police because they are considered illegal
dumping, a class B misdemeanor.''
Earlier today, two union protesters posing as luncheon
guests disrupted a speech by Shell Oil Co.'s
president.

The protesters, both with the Service Employees
International Union, jumped up during John
Hofmeister's speech and lectured him on the low wages
janitors are paid to clean Shell's office buildings.

Hofmeister gave the speech after accepting the 2006
International Executive of the Year Award from the
Greater Houston Partnership and Kiwanis International.

"What are you doing about the janitors who clean your
buildings for $5.15 an hour?" Peter Hanrahan,
president of SEIU Local 3 of Cleveland, shouted. "You
spend more money on lunch than they earn all year."

Many in the audience of 330 that included members of
Houston's consular corps groaned and shouted back,
"No, No," as Hanrahan hustled out of the room.

A few minutes later, another protester, Joseph
McLaughlin, lead researcher for SEIU Local 5 in
Houston, was also quickly removed when he shouted:
"Can you have some respect for the janitors who clean
your buildings?"

Neither protester was arrested.

SEIU represents 5,300 janitors, many of whom are
striking the city's five biggest cleaning companies
over wages and a lack of health benefits.

After the first outbreak, Hofmeister said, "Houston
has to solve" this issue and encouraged those on both
sides of the strike to get together and talk.

Jeff Moseley, president and CEO of the Greater Houston
Partnership, said after the speech that the union's
efforts may be misguided.

"It would be well for SEIU to realize who their
friends are before they exercise their right to free
speech," said Moseley. "No leader is more
understanding in the business community than John
Hofmeister. ... There are people in the business
community who are willing to listen, willing to hear
and willing to assist but they're less likely when
they see things like this."

But Lynda Tran, a spokeswoman for SEIU, had a
different opinion of the business community's response
to the strike.

"To date, the business and the real estate community
in particular have failed to step up and take
responsibility to the fact janitors are continuing to
live in poverty without health care," Tran said. "They
will continue to hear from janitors and janitors'
supporters who will urge them to step in and settle
the strike."

In a statement issued later in the day, Shell said it
hopes the issues between the janitorial service
companies and the union will be resolved as soon as
possible through the normal collective bargaining
process.

However, Shell pointed out that it's not involved in
the bargaining process and is not a party to any
eventual agreement.

lm.sixel@chron.com

anne.kilday@chron.com

"the work of the theater is the liberation of dreams, the transformation
of ideas into working acts" Julian Beck

Monday, November 06, 2006

Learn about 6 Different Activist Movements at either 1 of the below meetings (or print the booklet)

#1.

A World Beyond Capitalism 2007 Conference
The Third Annual International Multiracial Alliance Building Peace
Conference
The Common Unity Peace Conference

Un Mundo Más Allá del Capitalismo
Una Conferencia Anual de Paz Para Crear Uniones Internacionales y
Multirraciales

Main Home Page: http://www.aworldbeyondcapitalism.org
or
Main Home Page:
http://www.CommonUnityPeaceConference.org<http://www.commonunitypeaceconference.org/>


#2.
'Radical Caring'
The People's Empowerment Publication: Dedicated to Encouraging, Inspiring,
Networking, Celebrating and Remembering Activists and Communities Worldwide
http://www.RadicalCaring.org <http://www.radicalcaring.org/>


#3.
'S.U.R.G.E.!'
S.U.R.G.E. = Social Uprising, Resistance and Grassroots Encouragement
The Third Annual International Activist Film Festival
and Film Festival Network
http://www.aworldbeyondcapitalism.org/surge.html


#4.

The 'Free of Kings' Project
This is project to create a radical, co-op (member-owned) free speech
alternative to social networking websites. A project to create a website
better than mypsace, wikipedia, indymedia, youtube and match.com...
combined! Many of the largest social networking websites are owned by
right-wing groups, multinational corporations, or a small clique of
volunteers which puts censorship into the hands of a few power-tripping
individuals. Many of these social networking websites also are using people
who sign up for their services like a tool because they use oppressive
corporate advertisements to fund their 'free' services. Many of these
websites also are censoring activists and deleting the accounts or news
articles of activists simply because they are in positions of power. Social
networking websites are a form of media which continues to expand, yet
multinational corporations are trying place themselves in the positions of
Kings of such a valuable media resource. Only in a dictatorship, or a
monarchy run by a King, are such powerful media resources controlled by so
few people. If such resources were not-for-profit and opensource people
could free themselves of these self-empowered Kings.
The Free of Kings' Project.
http://www.freeofkings.org


There are two other projects ( a DIY activist speakers bureau and a
community-land coalition project known as Imagine Seven) as well which are
featured in the Radical Updates publication. Issue #1 is able to be printed
frrom their website. People can subscribe to their publication
free-of-charge on their website found here:
http://www.RadicalUpdates.org <http://www.radicalupdates.org/>

Sunday, November 05, 2006

[olympiaworkers] Defend fired bus driver

Dear Defenders of free speech, labor activists, and fellow bus drivers:

Yesterday's PI had a front page story about the Issaquah School District
bus driver
who was fired for flipping the bird at Bush while he was driving
through town last Summer in his motorcade.
If the school district gets away with this driver's termination
it will set a terrible precedent for all of us. We don't give away
our free speech rights when we punch into the time clock.
The school district is saying they would have fired her no
matter who she flipped off. Will they fire us for honking support
to striking workers as well?
Below is the contact info for the union that is representing her.
Please let them know you support this driver and want to help
in whatever way needed. As soon as I get the school district's
info I'll forward it along. Feel free to write letters to the newspaper
as well.
Let free speech live!
In solidarity Linda Averill

>
>Council 2 Contact Information
>Everett Office:
>Street Address: 3305 Oakes Ave. Everett, WA 98201
>Mailing Address: PO Box 750, Everett, WA 98206-0750
>Telephones: (425) 303-8818 1-800-775-6418 Fax (425) 303-8906 Fax
1-800-891-6548
>President/Executive Director: Chris Dugovich
>Deputy Director: J. Pat Thompson
>Counsel: Audrey Eide, General Counsel; David M. Kanigel, Legal Counsel
>Director of Organizing: Bill Keenan
>Director of Research: Bill Dennis
>Staff Representatives: Rob Sprague; Clem Edwards; James Trefry; Diana
Prenguber
>Business Manager: Barbara Corcoran
>Administrative Assistant: Pam Cason
>Support Staff: Cori Goehner, Secretary; Jayme Graham, Secretary; Stacy
Hulse, Secretary; Inna Levchenko, Secretary
>Everett Office e-mail (c2everett@council2.com)

Saturday, November 04, 2006

[olympiaworkers] Re: Evergreen Faculty go Union!!

Congratulations TESC faculty! This is great news, and very timely as
teachers in Oaxaca battle to maintain their ability to bargain
collectively.
Good job. Is it a closed shop?

khaos

Friday, November 03, 2006

[olympiaworkers] Evergreen Faculty go Union!!

This article was originally published in the Cooper Point Journal.

Unionization of Evergreen faculty

By Ian Humphrey

A small gathering was held in Red Square this Tuesday announcing the
unionization of our school's faculty. The union is called the United
Faculty of Evergreen (UFE), and is a branch of the United Faculty of
Washington State. Approximately twenty five people, two of whom looked
younger then thirty, watched as the announcement was made while costumed
students paraded past.
Laurie Meeker, a faculty organizer and film professor announced that,
"with an 82% attendance rate, the vote to unionize had won with a 55% to
45% majority." They promised to "form a faculty union to protect our
best traditions of collaborative governance and to strengthen their
ability, as faculty, to have a voice in the future of public higher
education in our state." They spoke, as well, about "addressing real
issues and problems."
In an interview, Nancy Allen, a humanities professor, said that this is
not the first time that a teacher's union has existed on campus. She
recalled serving one year as president of this union, the AFT. However,
because they did not have the ability to bargain with the
administration, the AFT "petered out after 10 years." Allen said that
"it was little more then a teacher's group."
What makes the UFE different is that in 2002 the state of Washington
passed a bill allowing employees to bargain collectively. This meant
that the teachers, if they chose to unionize, could make decisions
rather then recommendations when dealing with the administration.
Unionization was first officially by the Faculty Governance DTF in two
meetings held in spring of 2006. Two follow up meetings were held over
orientation week leading up to the vote on Tuesday.
The argument about whether or not to unionize was based on three concerns.
Supporters hoped unionization would give more bargaining power over faculty
salaries. Brian Walter, Chairman of the Agenda committee, said in an
interview that the salary paid to faculty at TESC is "the lowest among
public state schools." He added later that the difference in salary was
"considerable."
Another concern was the recommendations made by DTFs (Disappearing Task
Forces), particularly having to do with growth. In 2005, the Enrollment
Growth DTF decided that the student body needed to grow by five thousand
people. The Faculty Governance DTF decided that they would be unable to
guarantee such a growth immediately but would be able to do so in
increments, the first one being 300 people. Citing Evergreen's
curriculum structure and its commitment to a low student teacher ratio,
the Faculty Governance DTF was unsure about how to allocate the
additional faculty required for such a leap.
The Enrollment Growth DTF also said that in order to draw more people
there would need to be more offerings available to prospective students,
specifically focusing on business and health studies which, in the words
of Nancy Allen, "made the faculty nervous" worried that "Evergreen might
lose its atmosphere."
The faculty voted to wait until fall of 2005 before making any final
decisions. The faculty was only able to make a recommendation, however,
so the actual choice was left to the administration, who decided to move
forward with the project. The teachers were hired and are working here
now. This intensified union discussions amongst the faculty. Rachel
Hastings, a humanities teacher in her second year here, noted that this
"made a lot more people come forward" in the arguments over
unionization.
Those arguing against unionization were concerned that the "buddy buddy"
relationship between the faculty and the administration might suffer. Many
felt that this might create an "us versus them" environment. One
particular concern was that the new administration/union dynamic would put
the rotating dean system at risk.
At most colleges, once one is appointed a dean you have left the ranks
of the teachers forever. However, the Evergreen State College Faculty
Handbook says deans are "solicited from within the faculty," and serve
three and four year deanships, allowing them to rotate in and out of the
position.
Allen broke down the votes, saying, "If you thought the administration
was cool of part of the gang, you voted for the union, but if you felt
the administration wasn't representing you, then you voted union."
The students have thus far been largely silent on the issue. Those who
were interviewed were surprised to hear about it at all. "I didn't
know," said Bernard Feinsod, a Freshman here. "I'm surprised no one's
really talking about it."

[olympiaworkers] New OWA Website, no more Joe W. A.

Hey everyone, I made a new website for the OWA. I moved the news blog to
the front page. It needs a new graphic at the top if anyone is interested
in designing one. This new site will automatically publish the
announcements from this email list.

Now the website is a resource for working people and a good place to go
for labor news. If you would like to help expand the site to include more
resources, please email olympiaworkers@riseup.net for details. If a few
people want a tutorial on how to change things on the site, I'll be
willing to explain what I know.

I'm no longer going to be involved with the OWA since I no longer live in
Olympia. I plan on writing about the Pizza Time Strike and my experiences
trying to create a grassroots labor movement in Oly. Other than that, the
OWA is now completely autonomous of me and my ideas, and it is in all of
your hands to make a solid resource for workers. There are a lot of
sympathetic people in Olympia and a lot of potential for workers to
self-organize. Good luck.

If any of you don't know who Brendan is, he is active with the OWA and
IWW. He has lots of energy for community organizing and would be a great
person to get in touch with if you would like to do more for local workers
rights. He can be reached by contacting the OWA.

So long, take care, keep struggling

Joe

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

[olympiaworkers] Protest At the Mexican Consulate

Please post widely

>From Tacoma LPSG:

The Tacoma LPSG is not the initiating the protest below, but we are doing
all that we can to support it. Not only because we are a human rights
organization but also because many of the people involved in the Oaxaca
struggle are indigenous people and belong to indigenous organizations. In
the direction given us by Leonard Peltier, he has stated many times that the
struggle of his support organizations are not just about his case, but are
also about human rights and the struggles of indigenous people. So we are
asking that all people who believe in a free and just world to please come
out for this protest if they are able to do so. Thank you
Tacoma LPSG

PROTEST AT THE MEXICAN CONSULATE
IN SUPPORT OF THE STRUGGLE IN OAXACA
AND AGAINST THE DEADLY REPRESSION

THURSDAY, 2, 2006
11:00 AM TO 3:00 PM

AT:
Mexican Consulate
2132 3rd Ave
Seattle, WA 98121
(206) 448-3526

PLEASE ALSO SEND LETTERS OF PROTEST TO THE CONSULATE AND MAKE PHONE CALLS
TO THE CONSULATE, EXPRESSING YOU VIEWS TO THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT!

Please bring signs and your friends to this important protest.

INTERNATIONAL ZAPATIST CALL FOR ACTION

OFFICIAL NOTICE OF THE REVOLUTIONARY INDIGENOUS CLANDESTINE COMMITTEE -
MILITARY COMMAND OF ZAPATISTA ARMY OF NATIONAL LIBERATION. MEXICO. 30 OF
OCTOBER OF 2006.

TO THE TOWN OF MEXICO:
TO THE TOWNS OF THE WORLD:
TO ALL THE OTHER IN MEXICO AND NORTH OF THE RIO GRANDE:
TO ALL THE INTERNATIONAL SIXTH:
COMPANIONS: SISTERS & BROTHERS:

AS IT IS OF PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE, YESTERDAY, 29 OF OCTOBER OF 2006, The
FEDERAL FORCES OF THE GOVERNMENT OF VICENTE FOX, ATTACKED THE TOWN OF OAXACA
AND IT'S WORTHIER REPRESENTATIVE, THE POPULAR ASSEMBLY OF THE TOWNS OF
OAXACA, The APPO.

AS OF TODAY, THE FEDERAL POLICE FORCES HAVE ASSASSINATED AT LEAST THREE
PEOPLE, AMONG THEM A MINOR OF AGE; LEFT MANY PEOPLE HURT, AMONG THEM SEVERAL
OAXAQUEÑA WOMEN; AND MANY WERE ARRESTED AND TRANSFERRED ILLEGALLY TO
MILITARY PRISONS. ADDED TO ALL THIS ARE THE DEAD, ARRESSTEES AND MISSING WHO
FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE MOBILIZATION THAT DEMANDS THE RESIGNATION OF
ULISES RUIZ FROM THE OAXACAN GOVERNMENT.

THE FEDERAL POLICE FORCES ATTACK DOES NOT HAVE MORE OBJECTIVE THAN TO
MAINTAIN ULISES RUIZ IN POWER AND TO DESTROY THE POPULAR ORGANIZATION OF
THOSE OF FROM BELOW IN OAXACA.

THE OAXACA TOWN RESISTS. NO HONEST PERSON CAN REMAIN IN IMMOVABLE & SILENT
WHILE AN ENTIRE TOWN, MAINLY INDIGENOUS, IS ASSASSINATED, BEATEN AND JAILED.

WE, THE ZAPATISTAS, WILL NOT SHUT UP AND WE WILL MOBILIZE IN SUPPORT OF OUT
BROTHERLY TOWN AND COMPANION OF OAXACA.

THE SIXTH COMMISSION OF THE EZLN HAS ALREADY CONSULTED ZAPATISTA COMMAND AND
THE FOLLOWING HAS BEEN DECIDED:

FIRST. - THROUGHOUT THE FIRST OF NOVEMBER OF 2006, THE HIGHWAYS AND ROADS
WILL BE CLOSED THAT CROSS THE TERRITORIES WHERE THE EZLN MAINTAINS PRESENCE
IN THE SOUTHEAST STATE OF CHIAPAS.

CONSEQUENTLY, WE EXHORT THAT EVERYONE ABSTAIN FROM TRAVELING CHIAPAS
HIGHWAYS THAT DAY AND TAKE THE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS FOR IT.

SECOND. - THROUGH THEIR SIXTH COMMISSION, THE EZLN HAS INITIATED
CONTACTS AND CONSULTATIONS WITH OTHER POLITICAL AND SOCIAL
ORGANIZATIONS, AS WELL AS WITH GROUPS, COLLECTIVES AND PEOPLE OF THE OTHER
CAMPAIGN, TO INITIATE DAYS OF SOLIDARITY WITH OAXACA AND TO SUMMON JOINT
ACTIONS TO ALL OF MEXICO FROM BELOW AND MAKING NATIONAL HALT DAY ON THE 20
OF NOVEMBER OF 2006.

THIRD. - THE EZLN MAKES A CALL TO THE OTHER CAMPAIGN IN MEXICO AND NORTH OF
THE RIO GRANDE, SO THAT THIS FIRST OF NOVEMBER OF 2006 IT IS MOBILIZED,
WHERE IS POSSIBLE, CLOSING OF TOTAL, PARTIAL OR INTERMITTENT, REAL OR
SYMBOLICALLY, THE STREETS, ROADS, HIGHWAYS, TOLL BOOTHS, STATIONS, AIRPORTS
AND ANY MASS MEDIA.

FOURTH. - THE MESSAGE THAT WE THE ZAPATISTAS SENT AND WILL SEND TO THE TOWN
OF OAXACA IS ONE: THEY ARE NOT ALONE. ¡ULISES RUIZ OUT OF OAXACA!

IMMEDIATE EXPULSION OF FEDERAL FORCES OCCUPYING OAXAQUEN TERRITORY!

LIBERTY AND FREEDON TO THOSE DETAINED!

CANCELLATION OF ALL THE ORDERS OF APPREHENSION!

PUNISHMENT TO THE ASSASSINS!

JUSTICE! FREEDOM! DEMOCRACY!

>From the north of Mexico.
By the Revolutionary Indigenous Clandestine Committee
- Military command of the Army Zapatista of National Liberation.
By the Sixth Commission of the EZLN.

[olympiaworkers] EZLN - call to action

A Call from the Zapatistas: Oaxaca Is Not Alone Shut-Down of Roads, Highways
and the Media on November
1; General Strike Called for November 20

By the Sixth Commission of the EZLN
The Other Mexico

October 30, 2006

Message from the
CLANDESTINE REVOLUTIONARY INDIGENOUS COMMITTEE-GENERAL
COMMAND
of the
ZAPATISTA ARMY OF NATIONAL LIBERATION
MEXICO.

October 30, 2006.

To the people of Mexico:
To the people of the world:
To the Other Campaign in Mexico and the other side of
the Rio Grande:
To the entire Sixth International:

Compañeros and compañeras:
Brothers and sisters:

It is now known publicly that yesterday, 29th of
October 2006, Vicente Fox's federal forces attacked
the people of Oaxaca and its most legitimate
representative, the Popular Assembly of the Peoples of
Oaxaca (APPO).

Today, the federal troops have assassinated at least 3
people, among them a minor, leaving dozens of wounded,
including many women from Oaxaca. Dozens of detainees
were illegally transported to military prisons. All
this comes in addition to the existing total of
deaths, detainees and missing persons since the
beginning of the mobilization demanding that Ulises
Ruiz step down as Oaxaca's governor.

The sole objective of the federal attack is to
maintain Ulises Ruiz in power and to destroy the
popular grassroots organization of the people of
Oaxaca.

Oaxaca's people are resisting. Not one single honest
person can remain quiet and unmoved while the entire
society, of which the majority are indigenous, is
murdered, beaten and jailed.

We, the Zapatistas, will not be silent; we will
mobilize to support our brothers, sisters and comrades
in Oaxaca.

The EZLN's Sixth Commission has already consulted the
Zapatista leadership and the following has been
decided:

First: During whole day of November 1, 2006, the major
and minor roads that cross Zapatistas territories in
the southwestern state of Chiapas will be closed.

Consequently, we ask that everyone avoid traveling by
these roads in Chiapas on this day and that one make
the necessary arrangements in order to do so.

Second: through the Sixth Commission, the EZLN has
begun making contact and consulting other political
and social organizations, groups, collectives and
individuals in the Other Campaign, in order to
coordinate joint solidarity actions across Mexico,
leading to a nationwide shut-down on the 20th of
November, 2006.

Third: the EZLN calls out to the Other Campaign in
Mexico and north of the Rio Grande, so that these
November 1st mobilizations happen wherever possible,
completely, partially, at intervals or symbolically
shutting down the major artery roads, streets, toll
booths, stations, airports and commercial media.

Fourth: The central message that the Zapatistas send
and will continue sending is that the people of Oaxaca
are not alone: They are not alone!

Ulises Ruiz out of Oaxaca!

Immediate withdrawal of the occupying federal forces
from Oaxaca!

Immediate and unconditional freedom for all detainees!

Cancel all arrest warrants!

Punish the murderers!

Justice!
Freedom!
Democracy!

>From the North of Mexico.
For the Clandestine Revolutionary Indigenous
Committee-General Command of the Zapatista Army of
National Liberation.
For the EZLN Sixth Commission.

Subcomandante Insurgente Marcos

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Update on Oaxaca Teachers' Strike



TEACHERS VOTE ON RETURN TO CLASSES, SENATE SUPPORTS RUIZ

After a 14-hour debate that extended into the early morning hours on
Sunday, Section 22 of the National Union of Education Workers (SNTE)
rejected the results of a consultation carried out Thursday and Friday on
their possible return to classes after a five-month strike. A second
vote is scheduled for Monday and Tuesday of next week. Enrique Rueda,
president of Section 22 and closely affiliated with the traditional
charro union structure, pushed hard for the vote even after at least five
previous ballots declared teachers would continue their strike until
Governor Ulises Ruiz is removed from office. Rueda has been an unpopular
figure in Oaxaca City after negotiating with federal officials behind
closed doors for the past week and then announcing teachers would return
to class three days before the vote. Leaders of the SNTE rejected the
results of the consultation after Rueda annulled thousands of votes that
weren't consistent with the "format." Rueda fled from the teachers' hotel
shortly after the vote, protected by bodyguards, after thousands of
residents and teachers called him a traitor. The results reflect a
divided union. Officials reported that 25,692 teachers voted to return
to classes no later than October 30 while 17,482 rejected the 17-point
plan negotiated recently by Rueda and Interior Secretary Carlos Abascal
that included an immediate return to classes. Another 12,129 teachers
rejected the Abascal plan and voted to return to class five days after
Ulises Ruiz is removed as governor, and these are the votes that were
annulled by Rueda. Abascal's plan does not contemplate the removal of
Ruiz.

The strike began on May 22 and includes some 70,000 teachers responsible
for 1.3 million students. Initially the demands focused on increased
salaries, but when Governor Ruiz tried to put down the strike with police
violence, teachers joined with more than 200 community organizations to
form the APPO. The principle demand of the united organizations is the
removal of Ruiz. Negotiations last week with Interior Secretary Abascal
never addressed this key issue.

Violence continued in Oaxaca City. Panfilo Hernandez, a popular
indigenous teacher, was assassinated on Wednesday as a left an APPO
meeting in Oaxaca City, becoming the third teacher to die from
paramilitary violence organized by the governor. Early Sunday morning,
the APPO reported shots fired at a barricade in the center of the city,
though no injuries were reported. And also on Sunday morning, at least
nine shots were fired at the home of Francisco Toledo, Oaxaca's most
famous living artist.

On Thursday, the Senate rejected a finding of “disappeared powers” in
Oaxaca by 74 to 31, with the PRI, PAN and Green Party voting to maintain
Governor Ruiz in power, though Senators also found that the state is
currently "ungovernable." In negotiations last week in Mexico City,
Interior Secretary Carlos Abascal left the final decision on Ruiz in the
hands of the Senate. In anticipation of the vote, on Monday Abascal
criticized Ruiz: "the local authority does not have the capacity to
control peace, order and security. That's why we are in this situation."
Yet the leadership of Abascal's own party rejected a finding that would
have removed the Oaxaca governor. The Senate decision rekindled a
politically damaged Ruiz, who renewed his call for the use of federal
forces to dislodge protestors from the historic center of Oaxaca City,
which has been virtually closed for the past five months. With teachers
apparently prepared to maintain their strike and with the APPO firm in
their commitment to remove Ruiz, federal authorities are under increasing
pressure from the business community and the PRI to use force. The
Federal Preventative Police and the army are reportedly prepared to move
at any time. The PAN finds itself in a complicated political position.
President-elect Felipe Calderon is anxious to resolve the situation
before assuming the presidency on December 1. His campaign revolved
largely around law and order issues and he repeatedly called for the
"mano dura" in speeches, a strong indication that he supports the use of
force in Oaxaca. He is also anxious to preserve the PRI-PAN alliance
that brought him to power in a fraudulent election, yet the PAN does not
want to assume political responsibility for a local situation created
largely by a corrupt PRI governor. With Abascal's negotiations ending in
failure and with no ther federal initiatives on the immediate agenda, the
use of force becomes more probably every day. Ruiz has well-armed
paramilitary groups ready to move in Oaxaca, and he will likely try to
murder APPO leadership under cover of a federal police action. But the
APPO is not backing down. On Sunday, the leadership called for a
mega-demonstration and a national meeting to evaluate the performance of
all state governors. There is no shortage of official corruption at the
state level throughout Mexico, and presumably those governors who don't
meet popular approval would be targeted for removal, which could quickly
extend the Oaxaca actions to a national level.

OTHER CAMPAIGN SUPPORTS OAXACA PROTESTS

Subcomandante Marcos called on the Other Campaign to support protests in
Oaxaca led by the APPO and striking teachers: "The people of Oaxaca have
given the rest of the country a heroic and organizational example. And
Oaxaca will find in the Other Campaign a movement that gives
unconditional support, without looking for political advantage. If
[authorities] mess with the Popular Assembly of the People of Oaxaca and
with Oaxaca, they mess with the Other Campaign and the EZLN." Marcos
clarified the position of the Other Campaign during remarks in Mexicali,
part of a national tour of Mexico that will end in Mexico City on
November 30.

Source:

MEXICO SOLIDARITY NETWORK
WEEKLY NEWS AND ANALYSIS
OCTOBER 16-22, 2006
http://www.mexicosolidarity.org

Houston Janitors go on Strike


Houston Janitors go on Strike

Tuesday, October 24 2006 @ 06:30 AM PDT
From Houston Indymedia:

The janitor's strike is on. After about a week of daily protests about 500 janitors marched downtown Monday night instead of going to work. More janitors are expected to walk out each day this week. See videos from the 10/23 walkout, hear a report, see pictures and more video.

From the Open Publishing Newswire: Bargaining for the janitors broke down last week so a strike was inevitable. This is unfortunate because no one wants to strike, but when all other options have failed, there is no other choice.

Janitors have been winning livable wages and health care now for years across the country in many major cities. Now it's Houston's time and there is no question that this is an historic fight and the best chance low wage service workers in Texas have to win a union contract.

We have learned over the years that in today's world, it takes the whole community of people of conscience standing together to win our rights and respect from these rich corporations. There are many ways you can help this weekend and in the coming weeks!

>> We are setting up a Food Bank in order to provide striking janitors at least one bag of food a week. You can help set up a collection site or bring food to the office. Once our sites are set up we will let you know where food can be donated.
>> Join us on for a picket line any day this week at 4:30 at 1100 Louisiana Ave.
>> March on Saturday, October 28th. We will be assembling in Grady Park in the Galleria area. It is on the corner of San Felipe and Yorktown, a few blocks west from the 610 exit onto San Felipe. Our permit has been denied but we are marching anyway even if it is on the sidewalks.
>> Mobilize - send information out to your families, friends, organizational allies, local listserves about the strike and the march on Saturday!
[read the full article with ways to support the janitors]

Previous Coverage from HIMC: Hundreds of Janitors to Vote Whether to Strike Over Poverty Conditions

Thursday, October 19, 2006

Wal-Mart Employees Self-Organize


Wal-Mart Employees Self-Organize First Ever 200 Plus Employee Protest Outside a Wal-Mart Store in Florida



Contact: Chris Kofinis of the WakeUpWal-Mart Campaign, 202-486-6422

MIAMI, Oct. 16 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Today, over 200 Wal-Mart employees, at the Hialeah Gardens, Fla., Wal-Mart store (near Miami), self-organized the first-ever large scale employee protest at a Wal-Mart store.

According to Wal-Mart workers who contacted WakeUpWalMart.com, over 250 Wal-Mart associates are currently outside the store protesting the negative effects of Wal-Mart's open availability policy, hours being cut, scheduling changes, and a new, punitive attendance policy. These Wal-Mart employees say they have had enough of executives in Bentonville, Ark., ignoring their concerns, and they are willing to take to the street to counter Wal-Mart's changes which are pushing out hard-working, loyal Wal- Mart employees.

The following statement is attributable to Paul Blank, campaign director for WakeUpWalMart.com:

"For too long, Wal-Mart has ignored the serious workplace concerns of over 1.39 million Wal-Mart associates. Since the beginning of this year, Wal-Mart has essentially declared war on its employees by cutting hours, reducing the number of full-time workers, imposing salary caps, instituting an open door policy, cutting health care benefits, and even instituting a new, punitive attendance policy. Wal-Mart's changes negatively impact its workers and are all a sinister attempt to push out loyal employees who Wal-Mart believes cost them to much. It is wrong and it must stop.

"As we can all see from this incredible protest in Hialeah, Fla., Wal-Mart workers, having been pushed to the point of no return, are standing up to Wal-Mart executives and fighting back. Contrary to Wal-Mart's heartless changes, employees are not commodities or products on the shelf and they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. These employees are hard- working people with real families and they deserve our support.

"Once again, we call on Wal-Mart to realize that there is a better path. The American people, Wal-Mart associates, and elected leaders are demanding that Wal-Mart end its war on its workers and change into a more responsible employer. In the end, Wal-Mart should not doubt for a moment that this is just the beginning of workers speaking out and their calls will continue to get louder. We can only hope for Wal-Mart's sake and its employees, that Wal-Mart hears these calls for change and does what is right."

------

Editor's Note: Wal-Mart employees at the protest are available for comment.

http://www.usnewswire.com/

Sunday, August 06, 2006

STARBUCKS INFAMY: IWW Organizer Daniel Gross


TAKE ACTION NOW!

www.starbucksunion.org
August 5, 2006

The Starbucks "investigation" of IWW member Daniel
Gross concluded today with his termination after more
than three years of organizing at the company.
Daniel's expression of solidarity at a union picket
line with co-worker and fellow union member, Evan
Winterscheidt, was deemed threatening by Starbucks
despite multiple eyewitnesses who confirm that Daniel
merely asserted to District Manager Allison Marx that
Evan should not be fired. With the termination of IWW
members Daniel Gross, Evan Winterscheidt, Joe Agins
Jr., and Charles Fostrom in less than a year,
Starbucks has demonstrated conclusively its intense
hostility to the right of workers to join a union.


To provide additional cover for the unlawful
termination, Starbucks issued Daniel a blatantly
discriminatory performance review today with negative
ratings for things like, "not communicating partner
morale issues to the Store Manager." The manager
confirmed that morale issues included complaints about
wages and working conditions. Last we checked, an
employer may not mandate an employee to engage in
surveillance of co-worker's protected activities.

Far from breaking our campaign, Starbucks has done the
opposite. The current and former Starbucks workers who
proudly carry the red Industrial Workers of the World
membership card vow to redouble our efforts to achieve
an independent voice on the job. The right to free
association at work is fundamental and not subject to
compromise. But to vindicate our right to union
membership, we need support from you, the working
class; the class that built this society with our
sweat and indeed with our blood.

The multinational retailers like Wal-Mart, Starbucks,
and Borders seek totalitarian control of the
workplace. The way forward to reign in these massive
corporations is a social movement of workers and
community members. The Wobblies at Starbucks have
proven that by taking direct action against the
company over issues of concern to workers and by
avoiding the skewed certification process of NLRB
elections, baristas can improve their lives on and off
the job. This strategy only works however, if the
company incurs significant economic, political, and
social costs when it violates the right to organize by
terminating workers for union activity.

Take action with us sisters and brothers. Together we
will win:

1) Do not spend your hard earned money at Starbucks
until the company respects the right of workers to
organize and reinstates Daniel Gross and the rest of
the IWW baristas. Let the company know you are taking
a stand by participating in the email action:
http://starbucksunion.org/node/1015

2) Obtain a resolution or pledge from your community
group, labor union, or house of worship agreeing to
stay way from Starbucks products until justice is
done. Please send copies to starbucksunion@yahoo.com.

3) Hold a rally or leafleting action at Starbucks in
support of the right to organize and in defense of the
fired union baristas if you feel that's appropriate in
your local community. Please check in with the
baristas at the store before hand to involve them in
the action.

4) If you are a student, join the Justice from Bean to
Cup! campaign launching this Fall to ensure Starbucks
doesn't operate on campuses without reinstating the
IWW baristas, respecting the right to organize, and
making a meaningful commitment to Fair Trade. Get
involved by e-mailing starbucksunion@yahoo.com.

5) Make a financial contribution to the IWW Starbucks
Workers Union to ensure a continued independent voice
for employees at the world's largest coffee chain.
Send checks made out to "IWW Starbucks Workers Union"
or well-concealed cash to:

IWW Starbucks Workers Union
347 Maujer St. Apt. #C
Brooklyn, NY 11206

www.starbucksunion.org

"the work of the theater is the liberation of dreams, the
transformation of ideas into working acts" Julian Beck

Wednesday, August 02, 2006

Organized Workers for Labor Solidarity August 8

July 30, 2006

Dear labor activists,

The next meeting of OWLS, Organized Workers for Labor Solidarity,
will be on Tuesday, August 8, 7pm, at 6726 Corson Ave. S., Seattle.
This is in Georgetown, at the home of Bernadette Logue, SEIU member
and activist. (Take the southbound I-5 Michigan St./Corson Ave. freeway
exit. Once you exit just stay on Corson Ave and continue to her house.
Her phone number is 355-9156 if you need further directions.

At our last OWLS meeting we worked on and adopted a resolution in defense
of immigrant rights. We want to take this resolution to the labor movement
for education, organizing, and adoption. At this meeting we will discuss
ways to do that.

We'll also talk about plans for Labor Day and labor struggles in the Puget
Sound area. Folks are welcome to bring news of their own activities and
issues taking place in their unions. We hope you can make the meeting!

And for those who may want a refresher, below is what OWLS is about:

OWLS is a multiracial group of labor activists who are dedicated to
strengthening solidarity across union lines, and to reviving the fighting
spirit of the labor movement.

We believe that democracy is essential to making our unions and labor
councils strong, proactive forces for workers' rights. We promote the
organizing of immigrant and unorganized workers, especially the lowest paid.

Saturday, June 24, 2006

Oly APWU presents Triple Trouble Friday, June 30th

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WHAT: The Triple Trouble Tour, featuring hell-raising singer Anne Feeney, satirical
sharp-shooter Dave Lippman, and singing C.I.A. agent George Shrub

WHEN: Friday, June 30th, 7:30 pm

WHERE: Labor Temple, 119-1/2 Capitol Way, Olympia

COST: $10 general, $5 low income

WHY: Presented by Olympia Local, American Postal Workers Union, to kick-off the
“Keep the Mail in Olympia!” letter-writing campaign to the Postal Rate Commission.
For more info: http://www.lunewsviews.com/Olympia

DESCRIPTION:

The Triple Trouble Tour, a fair and balanced brew of satire and songs to stir the
soul, features these unbalanced performers:

Anne Feeney has lived her life on the frontlines, comforting the afflicted and
afflicting the comfortable with songs like “Have You Been to Jail for Justice?”
"Anne Feeney is the best labor singer in North America..." -- Utah Phillips

Dave Lippman is fired up about weapons of mass distraction, SUVs, and wars to defend
SUVs. Lippman has just filed suit in Miami against the FBI and Miami Police for
violation of his civil liberties at the Free Trade Area of the Americas
demonstrations in 2003. See http://davelippman.com/suit.html "Lippman is a national
treasure," -- L.A. Herald-Examiner. "Viciously funny" -- The Guardian.

The world’s only known singing CIA agent, George Shrub, will be provided equal time
to present the hidden charms of torture, conquest and lies.

Visit http://davelippman.com and http://annefeeney.com for audio and video samples
of the show.

- # -

Thursday, June 08, 2006

Colombian workers strike against Alabama based mining company

STRIKE AT US COAL MULTINATIONAL DRUMMOND

As from 22 May 2006 a strike has commenced at the coal mine and loading port of the
US multinational Drummond that works the ‘La Loma’ concession in Cesar department.

3, 500 workers affiliated to SINTRAMIENERGÉTICA stopped work to demand a reponse to
their petition of demands. Drummond has refused to accept extending the Collective
Agreement to 2, 000 comrades working in contracted and sub-contracted activities at
the mine and the port. The incidence of work related illnesses and accidents is
extremely high, [the workers demand] an improvement in working conditions.

This strike has a similar motivation to the one already started on 17 May by the
comrades at Carbones La Jagua, both of which have fulfilled legal requirements.

We demand that the National Government and the corporation respect this just protest
and that a solution is found through dialogue.

Send messages of support to CUT Human Rights Department, e-mail:
derechoshumanos@cut.org.co

HUELGA EN LA DRUMMOND LTDA

A partir de hoy 22 de mayo de 2006, se inició la huelga en la mina de carbón y el
puerto de embargue de la multinacional norteamericana Drummond, que tiene el
contrato de concesión de la Loma-Cesar.

3. 500 trabajadores afiliados a Sintramienergética, paralizaron las labores para
reclamar solución al pliego de peticiones. La Drummond se niega a aceptar la
extensión de la Convención a 2. 000 compañeros de las firmas contratistas y
subcontratistas que laboran en actividades de la mina y el puerto, mejoramiento de
las condiciones de trabajo pues el índice de enfermedades y accidentes con ocasión
de la realización de las actividades es altísimo.

Esta huelga tiene similares motivaciones a la adelantada, desde el 17 de mayo, por
los compañeros de Carbones La Jagua e igualmente aquí se cumplió con todos los
requisitos establecidos en la ley.

Reclamamos del Gobierno Nacional y de la multinacional que se respete esta justa
protesta y se procure una solución por la vía del diálogo.

CARLOS RODRÍGUEZ DÍAZ
Presidente BORIS MONTES DE OCA
Secretario General GUSTAVO TRIANA SUAREZ
Secretario de Asuntos Energéticos

Bogotá, D. C., 22 de mayo de 2006

"the work of the theater is the liberation of dreams, the transformation of ideas
into working acts" Julian Beck

Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Olympia Workers Association Statement on the Militarization of the Port of

May 30, 2006

In solidarity with workers worldwide, The Olympia Workers Association condemns union labor loading military machinery onto ships to Iraq. Dock workers in Seattle began the General Strike of 1919 when they refused to load weapons to fight workers in Russia. We urge local dock workers now to refuse to load military equipment to fight workers in Iraq. Only when local workers stand in solidarity with workers worldwide will we earn the true value of the work we produce.

Thursday, May 04, 2006

Hundreds Mark Historic May Day in Olympia

Reports from 2008 May Day

Olympia, WA-- Hundreds of community members celebrated International Workers Day on Monday May 1st, 2006. People in Olympia assembled in Sylvester park for a “Day Without an Immigrant” and joined in solidarity with millions of people across the US and workers around the world.

People gathered while speakers from various community groups talked about immigration, Zapatistas, cross border organizing, local worker solidarity and other ways for people to get organized. When the speeches ended, people took to the streets toward the State capitol to voice their views.

The doors to the State Capitol building were locked. No politician came out to greet the May Day participants. People made speeches from bullhorns calling for immigration reform and the need for more worker solidarity. At many times people chanted “¡Sí, Se Puede!”

The May Day Parade reassembled at the base of the capitol stairs, approximately a half hour later, and then proceeded down Capital Way toward downtown. Some stores along the parade route were closed for the day in solidarity. The Parade took a right on 4th Ave. and ended at the Artesian Well in the parking lot by Jefferson Street.

Bike police officers, a half block away, guarded Pizza Time. Pizza Time became a focal point of the local labor movement last year when all 10 workers went on strike for better working conditions in February 2005. Those workers were locked out by the current owner Heath Flores in August. A boycott of Pizza Time still remains in effect although Pizza Time was not made an issue this May Day.

People took turns hitting a piñata made to look like a Border Patrol SUV. A mobile sound system broadcast Free Radio Olympia 98.5fm and a dance party started in the parking lot. The IWW Banner “Capitalism cannot be reformed” got duct taped to a bank billboard overlooking the parking lot on 4th Ave.

Hundreds of people in Olympia answered the call to not work or go to school on May 1st and gather to support immigrant and worker rights. Many people talked about taking their May Day experiences back to their workplaces and asserting their rights on the job.

Monday, April 24, 2006

May Day Olympia - Primero Mayo

May Day - Primero Mayo
"Hands Off" Immigrants, Workers and Families 
Join Us Monday, May 1st 3 pm Sylvester Park
Olympia, WA


We Stand in Solidarity with the 40 Million + Immigrant Worker General
Strike MAY DAY COALITION:

-Speakers-
"Un Dia Sin Immigrante" (Seattle Statement)
IWW (Industiral Workers of the World)
Bread and Roses
UCAN (United Communities AIDS Network)
WROC (Welfare Rights Organizing Coalition)
TSTSCA (Thurston-Santo Thomas Sister County Association)
Schools for Chiapas
Alternatives to CAFTA in Nicaragua
Resist the Grand Jury


-Music-
Fast Rattler
Citizens Band (IWW)
Rosaura Segura (TSTSCA)

-Interactive Tables-
Rec the Place - make your own buttons -
Yes Yes - Art for Social Change -
Last Word Books
...and more community organizations...

Thursday, April 13, 2006

Meatpacker Wildcat in Kansas

Workers won't face penalties for protests at Excel plant
GARANCE BURKE
Associated Press

Several hundred workers briefly walked off the job at a Dodge City meatpacking plant Tuesday after company officials disciplined employees for missing work to protest proposed federal immigration laws a day earlier, union leaders said.

Just before the lunch hour, about 600 workers left the line and filed into the Excel Corp. cafeteria, saying they would not work if the company sanctioned some employees for attending Monday's immigration rally, an official with United Food and Commercial Workers Local 2 said.

Excel spokesman Mark Klein said he "didn't want to get into" whether the company had attempted to discipline or suspend employees at the southwest Kansas plant. He and union representatives said that after several hours of negotiations, the two sides agreed workers wouldn't be penalized for skipping work to demonstrate against legislation that would make it a felony to illegally enter the United States.

Ford County Sheriff Dean Bush said the plant's security director called earlier Tuesday requesting help. Three officers were sent to the plant, and dozens of highway troopers assembled to handle any possible disturbance, law enforcement officials said.

Union officials said members walked off the line because they felt some workers were being unfairly punished, since Excel had stated publicly that workers wouldn't be penalized for attending the protests.

Excel, the nation's second-largest beef processor, said the plant was fully operating Tuesday afternoon.

"We had a number of discussions today to work through," Klein said. "As we move forward we're going to work together to handle any future events around immigration reform."

Klein said the company's contract with the union allows Excel to sanction employees for taking a personal day if they exceed their allotted number of absences. He said Monday the immigration rally in Dodge City had contributed to a slowdown in production, but that the company would take no adverse action against its workers.

Several meatpacking plants across the country - including Creekstone Farms Premium Beef in Arkansas City and three Tyson plants in Iowa and Nebraska - shut down production lines or closed entirely Monday because workers went to the rallies.

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Los Angeles: Port Truckers Set to Strike May 1st


For the past 20 years port truckers in Los Angeles have been organizing for employee recognition, respect, dignity, and decent wages.

Port Truckers Set to Strike May 1st
By John Riley, Si Se Puede Collective
April 11, 2006

For the past 20 years port truckers in Los Angeles have been organizing for employee recognition, respect, dignity, and decent wages. Their struggle has past through various ups and downs, but this May 1st might just be the beginning of a new wave or radicalism for Los Angeles port truckers. If all goes as planned LA Harbor, the biggest port on the west coast, will come to a screeching halt on May 1st.

Unlike the common vision of a trucker, an old white man wearing a cowboy hat drinking a big gulp full of coffee, most truckers in LA are Latino, some are women, and most speak Spanish. They call themselves troqueros. They work an average of 60- 80 hours a week, and are often forced to drive under dangerous and illegal conditions. Many of them have histories as organizers or radicals in their home countries. And now they are making history organizing in the U.S.

Troqueros, or owner operators as the trucking companies call them, are denied benefits given to most employees because the companies contend that they are independent contractors and thus not entitled to collective bargaining rights. Trucking companies have also used this loophole to set up dubious insurance scams. Instead of offering insurance plans from private HMOs like most employers do, the trucking industry has been charging truckers high premiums for a company health plan, and then buying a cheaper plan from an HMO, and pocketing the profit. And the money trucking companies are making from this scam is substantial. One company, Pacer, made over three million dollars in a period of ten years with this insurance scam. On top of this, wages for truckers has stayed stagnant for years, and with the cost of diesel rising to almost 3$ a gallon, it is the truckers who are feeling the pinch.

But the tide may be turning for the troqueros. Recently the International Longshoremans Union along with the International Brotherhood of the Teamsters have committed to supply serious time and resources into organizing the 50,000+ truckers in the LA area. The Teamsters have tried before, without much success, but some hope that now with the support of the ILWU, the truckers might have another shot at organizing.

In the end however, the fate of the troqeros lies in their own hands. The Troqueros are organizing themselves, mostly over via two-way and CB radio. If you happened to tune into one of their conversations these days, the radio is filled with talk, in Spanish and English, of the Huegla General the General Strike on May 1st. The planned strike is part of a larger general strike called for in support of immigrant rights, but the truckers are also calling for their own demands including a 25% wage increase.

In Long Beach a small band of truckers and supporters stands across one of the major freight lines with a sign that reads: Huegla General, 1 de Mayo. Trucks pass by with drivers leaning out their windows to see the sign, most raise their thumbs or their fists in support, some honk and smile. The rumor is that truckers in ports across the United States may join the LA truckers in striking on mayday. The extent to which the strike takes hold is yet to be seen, what is certain is that if these truckers and successful, they will do some serious economic damage to the international commerce, and if the truckers are able to successfully organize, either through official union recognition or otherwise, it will be a serious victory for workers in Los Angeles and across the country.