On the picket line

Thousands demand jobs

Jobs with Justice coalitions in more than 100 cites nationwide demanded on Sept. 15 that Congress pass laws to stop layoffs, among other measures. For example, in Chicago more than 300 people demonstrated against Rep. Mark Kirk who recently voted against extending unemployment. “We need jobs, and until we get them we need unemployment benefits,” said Carole Ramsden, an unemployed union electrician and member of the Unemployed Workers Council. (jwjblog.org, Sept. 17) In San Francisco the local JWJ affiliate, S.F. Demands Jobs in S.F., demonstrated in front of Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s office. Those most impacted by the economic crisis — young workers, low-wage workers and single mothers trying to transition off welfare — demanded that Temporary Assistance

to Needy Families be extended after Sept. 30.

Boycott Andiamo restaurants!

Workers fired for union organizing by the Andiamo restaurant in Dearborn, Mich., took their campaign to a new level on Sept. 17 when United Auto Workers President Bob King joined them in calling for a boycott of the 11 restaurants in the chain in southeast Michigan. The workers, who have been picketing for months, were joined on the line by the UAW, Metro Detroit AFL-CIO and interfaith leaders on Sept. 16 with signs reading “Hungry for justice.” The director of UAW Region 1A tried to deliver a letter to the Andiamo management demanding reinstatement of the workers who were fired for organizing with the Restaurant Opportunity Center of Michigan. The boycott was called after the manager refused to take the letter. Earlier this summer the National Labor Relations Board ruled that the workers were fired illegally in retaliation for organizing with ROC-Michigan, which has filed a lawsuit charging that $125,000 in wages were withheld from the workers, who also suffered racist discrimination and sexual harassment. The company attempted to settle the case by paying one worker $30 and posting a list of 15 things management will not do in the future. Boycott Andiamo until all the workers are rehired and paid back wages!

Immigrants rebuilding N.O. fight wage theft

Last year a survey by the Congress of Day Laborers in New Orleans found that 80 percent of the largely Latino, mostly undocumented immigrant construction workers it represents had been victims of wage theft. Even though the Department of Homeland Security suspended immigration enforcement and invited undocumented workers to help rebuild the city after extensive hurricane damage in 2005, the work continues. Statistics show the city’s Latino/a population increased from 4.4 percent in 2000 to about 10 percent in 2010. If the workers attempt to confront bosses individually, the bosses either call Immigration Control and Enforcement or physically attack them, so the workers have turned to the Pro Bono Project and Loyola New Orleans School of Law. Last year the groups helped workers file 365 cases suing bosses and drafted 146 demand letters. Now the New Orleans Center for Racial Justice is trying to get an anti-wage theft ordinance passed by the City Council. (Washington Independent, Sept. 1)