Submitted on Thu, 12/28/2006 - 3:31pm
Brooklyn, New York – On January 2nd 2007 at 5:00AM workers from the Food Industry and Allied Workers Union (Industrial Workers of the World, I.U. 460/640) and supporters will bring in the New Year with a march and picket line.
This week owners from four different warehouses illegally threatened to call immigration or terminate union workers due to their immigration status in clear retaliation for the workers' union activities. Tuesday's march and picket will target Amersino Marketing Group, 161 Gardner Ave, Brooklyn, NY.
Over the last year and half, food distribution warehouse workers in northern Brooklyn and Queens have organized a union with the IWW. The campaign has met with resounding success: workers have organized in five different warehouses, several of which have been certified in National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) elections, they have forced their bosses towards full compliance with wage and hour laws, and they have won several major wage and hour violation cases while still other complaints totaling more than $100,000 have been filed with the Department of Labor.
Submitted on Tue, 12/26/2006 - 2:39pm
Throughout the Fall of 2006 the IWW has been putting pressure on EZ supply to sit and negotiate. Finally the boss came to his sense and negotiated an agreement. The agreement included recognition of the union, wage increases, a grievance procedure, paid time off and more.
On December 26th on the heels of workers at 2 more shops announcing their membership in the IWW and demanding their rights the boss at EZ-supply reneged his agreement. The previous lawyer who did the negotiations no longer works for EZ-supply and a new lawyer showed up. Workers returned to work knowing that the boss was once again showing his unwillingness to obey the law and respect the rights of workers. We all see a vicious fight in front of us.
Submitted on Mon, 12/18/2006 - 2:20pm
As of this afternoon workers at top city are going back to work. The boss agreed to pay min wage and overtime and open to further discussions.
Thanks to everyone for the support; we know that a lot of people called and that scared the s@$+! out of the boss. The workers at Top City want to send a strong message of solidarity back to everyone who took action.
More to come - no picket tomorrow morning!
Original Alert
At 5:00 AM Monday December 18, 2006 IWW members from Top produce, Handy Fat, Ez-Supply and Starbucks along with members of SDS marched on Top City Produce to demand justice.
Workers at Top City refused to go to work until the boss agreed to obey the law. For too long workers have been working 72 hour weeks with no overtime, wages less than minimum wage, no benefits and no respect.
Submitted on Mon, 11/27/2006 - 7:24pm
The IWW had an amazing victory last week. A contract was negotiated between the Boss at ez-supply and the workers. After a year long fight workers made the big wins in improving their working conditions. This is amazing!
This next part is from Benjamin who has worked on the campaign and was at the negotiations.
the boss acknowledged that he was hurt very bad by our cutting into his business! our flyering in park slope has paid off for the EZ supply workers, who scored well in their bargaining session.
- the boss has agreed to recognize the union, & workers spoke to their boss from the 1st time w/out fear.
- wage increases $1.70 - $2.45/hr. over 24 months
- a grievance procedure
- premium pay for certain types of routine work
- 3 paid sick days
- an additional holiday in 2nd yr. of contract
- across the board second week vacation
- the company will sponsor the workers' green cards, & no worker will be fired for their immigration status
- their files will be purged of all union activities
- and they've received some of the back pay, & have retained an attorney to pursue the rest in federal court.
All of this is still yet to be voted on, & isn't of course as good as was wanted, so its certainly not over yet. we began working on this campaign exactly 1 year ago!
Submitted on Sun, 11/26/2006 - 3:14am
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.
