Newark, NJ – Workers and supporters of SEIU Local 32BJ held a rally at Newark Airport, Feb. 11, to demand pay equity for all airport workers of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. A spirited crowd turned up in Terminal C to present demands. Workers from JFK and LaGuardia airports came to support Newark workers.

The Port Authority’s mandate covers bus, rail, air and shipping transport in the entire area of New York City and northeastern New Jersey. It is a huge and immensely wealthy agency that employs many thousands of low-income workers. Newark Airport alone employs 4000 – as baggage handlers, skycaps, wheelchair assistants, ticket agents, etc. It falls under the joint administration of the governors of the two states.

Late last year 32BJ negotiated a contract with JFK and LaGuardia airports that raises pay in two steps from $8.00 per hour to $10.10 per hour. No corresponding step has been taken for workers in New Jersey, however. A worker at speaking at the protest got loud cheers saying that they were going to send a letter to New Jersey Governor Christie “in language he likes to talk – you can ignore Newark Airport as long as you want but we’re not going anywhere!”

Many elected officials and candidates turned up to speak. It is the workers who have taken the initiative and taken the lead, it is they who are the news. They have every intention to keep it that way.

The Port Authority management at this point looks to be going in a favorable direction. Still, success would leave the workers with low incomes. The struggle must go on. Anti-labor laws must be repealed. Stronger unions with a class struggle orientation are the way forward.

#NewarkNJ #LivingWage #workersRights #AirportWorkers #SEIULocal32BJ

Milwaukee, WI – Pickets were held outside of two local Walmart stores, Nov. 29, in support of workers who walked out demanding a living wage. Dozens of union members, Walmart employees, students, and community members marched in front of Walmart on 27th Street on Milwaukee's South Side chanting, “They say rollback, we say fight back!”

A tow truck, a police van, multiple police cruisers and private security vehicles roamed the Walmart parking lot waiting to tow protesters’ vehicles. But out on the street, protesters received a flurry of honks in support from the Black Friday shopping traffic.

The actions in Milwaukee were part of a national day of walkouts organized by worker group OUR Walmart. According to OUR Walmart, about 1500 actions were scheduled for this Black Friday.

#MilwaukeeWI #LivingWage #picket #workersRights #WalmartStrike #OURWalmart

North Miami Beach, FL – Around 45 people stood outside of the Walmart here with signs and banners on Black Friday to protest the company's unfair treatment of its workers. OUR Walmart and United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) organized this event as part of a nation-wide call to action against the egregious working conditions faced by Walmart employees.

Workers from Walmart throughout the area were joined by family members, community organizers and activists. They demanded living wages, benefits, vacation time and respect from the company that currently offers none of that to its workers.

Most of the workers in attendance were immigrants from Haiti and Central America, and they most addressed the crowd with pride and anger in Spanish and Creole.

“I'm standing here as part of the fight by Walmart associates,” said Walmart worker Theresa Charles in her native Haitian Creole. “Walmart does not give us good pay, it does not give us any rights and it does not give us any justice!”

The message was one of international solidarity among workers, as those in attendance spoke also about the garment workers in Haiti and Bangladesh who work for Walmart and other major companies and who are in the process of striking for better conditions as well.

“Walmart, Walmart you're no good, treat your workers like you should,” the crowd shouted in unison, along with, “From Haiti to Miami, raise the wage!”

Drivers, pedestrians and members of the community honked and waved in solidarity and many even joined the crowd. They were drawn in after hearing the words of the workers themselves through the megaphones.

“The only real way to topple this company is from the inside! The only way to bring change to this company is from the inside!” said UFCW organizer Shannan Reace to the crowd. “So I am very happy to stand with workers here and throughout the world and put the money behind the people and not behind the rich Waltons!”

Members of the People's Opposition to War, Imperialism, and Racism (POWIR), Rapid Response Network, South Florida Interfaith Worker Justice and other progressive organizations were present as well and addressed the crowd.

“Every worker deserves a living wage, benefits and dignity,” said Kim Miller of POWIR. “And the billions that Walmart has made has not trickled down to the worker, and that has to change because without the workers there is no Walmart!”

#NorthMiamiBeachFL #UnitedFoodAndCommercialWorkers #LivingWage #workersRights #WalmartStrike #OURWalmart

Clarksville, TN – In six cities across the state of Tennessee on July 20, people held pickets and delivered letters to Publix managers urging the Publix grocery store chain to join the Fair Food Program that would improve wages and working conditions for tomato pickers in Florida.

So far eleven major companies have signed on to the Fair Food Program, developed by the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW). Yet, despite massive protests, marches, hunger strikes and demonstrations around the country, for four years Publix has refused to even sit at the table to discuss joining this program that would not only help farmworkers get a better wage, but would also help to put an end to pervasive human rights abuses in Florida tomato fields.

In Nashville, Zach Blume with the Student Farmworker Alliance at Vanderbilt University said, “Publix, if you want to move into Tennessee we need you to expand your human rights!” This sentiment was echoed across the state as picketers in Clarksville held a banner that read, “Publix: sign on to Fair Food” and chanted “No more slaves! Pay a living wage!” outside of the two Publix locations in the area. A member of Students for a Democratic Society who helped organize the demonstration in Clarksville said, “We are asking Publix to follow the words of its founder and ‘not let making a profit get in the way of doing the right thing.’ We want Publix to do the right thing and sign on to Fair Food, a program that ensures the basic rights and respects the dignity of farmworkers.”

For several years Publix has been steadily expanding its stores into the state of Tennessee and July 20 marks the first time that organizers have come together across the state to collectively put the heat on one the Southeast region’s largest food store chains. Protesters made their message to Publix very clear and could be heard from Knoxville to Clarksville, chanting “Publix, escucha! Estamos en la lucha!” meaning “Publix, listen up! We’re in the fight!”

Organizers plan to continue building the fight back in Tennessee against attacks on farmworkers. More information about the CIW and the Fair Food Program can be found at: www.CIW-online.org. For more information about the Fair Food Campaign in Tennessee visit: www.NashvilleFairFood.wordpress.com.

#ClarksvilleTN #LivingWage #CoalitionOfImmokaleeWorkers #Publix #workersRights #Farmworkers #FairFood

The campaign has been endorsed by all the trade unions in Johnson County and has received support from many churches.

“I think it's a crime that we put public money into the pockets of a contractor and then they don't even pay a living wage to their employees,” said Pat Kearns, a steward with American Federation of Government Employees, Local 2547.

Employers have objected to paying a living wage on the grounds that they cannot afford it. If passed, the measure would mandate pay in the $9.00 to $11.00 range.

Responding to the employers claims, Kearns stated, “It might cut into their yachting expenses.”

#IowaCityIA #News #LivingWage #AmericanFederationOfGovernmentEmployeesLocal2547

Last fall, workers at the University of Minnesota won a battle to raise the minimum wage to $12 per hour. It is the highest minimum wage at any university in the country. Over 400 people were brought up to $12 per hour, while hundreds more learned that by standing together, workers can improve their collective situation.

This concession from the employer was not won at the negotiating table, but through a livable wage campaign, that had been going on for the previous two years.

“We had people that have worked at the university for 15 years and were being paid less than $12 per hour. It was unacceptable,” said Phyllis Walker, president of AFSCME Local 3800.

“We realized that our people were slipping behind, just like workers throughout this country. We had to set out to get our wages to a place where our members could afford to live,” Walker added.

Before the actual negotiations, the union and its allies on campus and in the community constantly exposed the situation that clerical workers faced. Tactics included an analysis of the wages, polling of the membership and building alliances with other unions and employee groups. Union members were drawn into the battle of winning a better contract by mobilizing and talking to co-workers in the workplace.

Livable wage campaigns have been waged in cities throughout the country, including here in Minneapolis-St. Paul.

“We learned from other union and community struggles to raise wages, and we incorporated those lessons into our fight,” Walker said.

This effort by the union puts one of the largest employers in all of Minnesota closer to paying its workers a livable wage.

Also last fall, the University of Minnesota Board of Regents raised the President's salary by $50,000 a year. This 22% raise for the president impressed few and outraged many. The union took this and said “We deserve a 22% raise.” When the public hearings around the budget took place, union members turned out to demand their 22%.

In negotiations the union was unable to stop the employers' demand for health benefit givebacks. The University now administers the healthcare plan for its employees. Previously, health benefits were negotiated with the state of Minnesota workers. Holding the costs down for co-pays and other costs will be a task for the union in the future.

“We are stepping up to defend our contract. The employer thinks that they can just walk all over our contract and get away with it. We're not going to let this happen.” Walker said

The local is starting its livable wage campaign again. Their slogan, “We raised the floor, now we need to raise the roof,” will be the vehicle to struggle for significant wage increases for long-term employees. They also hope to strengthen the contract language to include stronger seniority and job protections the next contract round.

#Minnesota #MN #News #AFSCMELocal3800 #LivingWage