ALL OUT FOR JOBS, EDUCATION, PEACE AND EQUALITY

October 2nd, 2010, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.

The Network to Fight for Economic Justice (NFEJ) is calling on all affiliates and supporters to rally for Jobs, Education, Peace and Equality, on October 2nd in Washington D.C. Initiated by the NAACP and labor unions, along with hundreds of progressive organizations, this rally promises to be powerful. The NFEJ is an endorser and is calling upon our members and affiliates to promote and mobilize our unions, community groups, poor people’s organizations, and student groups. We want to build our own movement that brings real change to the society we live in.

As the official unemployment hovers around 10% and the economy continues to be stagnant, we working people are growing more frustrated. This rally is the place for us to express that. It is a fact that African-American, Chicano/Mexicano, Puerto Rican, Native-American, and other oppressed communities are hit harder by the economic crisis — the real rates of unemployment are much higher than what the newspapers report. This rally is the place for us to expose that. We witnessed the U.S. government bail out banks and big Wall Street firms, while the politicians fought over whether to extend unemployment benefits for us. This rally is the place to voice our anger. The money for economic stimulus spending is running out, as the economy remains stagnant. In response, state and local governments are slashing budget and pushing the burden of the crisis on to our backs. More government cutbacks are planned which will create higher unemployment, rising education costs, and threaten our unemployment benefits. This rally is the place for us to demand the rich pay for the crisis they caused.

In D.C., we need to come together to demand concessions from the politicians and their wealthy backers. We need to demand jobs or income now! We demand full funding for public education and an end to privatization and cuts! We demand equality for all, including undocumented immigrants who pay their fair share but are cut out of the benefits — the new form of taxation without representation. We demand money for housing, not for wars and occupations.

We are coming together to build a movement. We have the power in our hands. We can organize an upsurge to make the changes we want. United in struggle, the African-American, Labor, and progressive movements provide a powerful alternative to the far right, corporate-funded Tea Party. There is new motion arising in America that extends beyond elections and politicians. We can force politicians who represent the rich and powerful to respond to a people’s agenda. It is time we show the world there is a movement for change in America.

For more information about the October 2nd rally at the Lincoln Memorial, go to One Nation Working Together at: http://www.onenationworkingtogether.org/content/main

Find the Network to Fight for Economic Justice and write an email to affiliate at www.nfej.org

#WashingtonDC #CapitalismAndEconomy #StudentMovement #Labor #OppressedNationalities #NetworkToFightForEconomicJustice

Deb Konechne, of the Minnesota Coalition for a People’s Bailout and the Network to for to Fight for Economic Justice, states, “The anger about a lack of jobs is growing and our call to fight back is getting a great response from the unemployed.

The leaflet from the Network to Fight for Economic Justice reads in part:

“Every week hundreds of thousands are being pushed off the unemployment rolls. In Washington D.C., the Senate Republicans spent weeks blocking two federal programs that give 73 weeks of unemployment coverage. The Democrats didn’t do much to help us, until the last minute. While corporate profits and Wall Street stocks go up, working people are stuck in the worst recession since the 1930’s Great Depression. Since the recession began in December of 2007, 8 million jobs were lost and 14 million of us are ‘officially’ unemployed – half for six months or more. 4 million more want to work but “stopped looking,” according to the government, and 8 million more work just part-time. Altogether, 25 million cannot find a job because of the economic crisis. It is not our fault. The system is broken. We are not just losing our jobs. We are losing health insurance, homes and sometimes spouses and children. Small businesses are closing left and right. Schools and libraries are laying off teachers and workers because of falling taxes. Unemployment has discriminatory effects too. We need to organize and fight back for our families, neighborhoods, schools, communities and for ourselves. Outrageously, Republicans in the Senate claim that extending unemployment benefits drives up the federal debt! These same politicians cut taxes for the rich and started two expensive wars. The federal debt under Bush doubled from $5 to $10 trillion, and now the politicians want to stick it to the unemployed by cutting us by $33 billion! Ridiculous! Some so-called ‘economists’ claim that unemployment benefits actually cause unemployment. They say that $300 a week is an “incentive” to not work. There are at least five unemployed workers applying for every one job opening. We fill out dozens of applications without getting a job. There simply are not enough jobs. The Republicans blocked the unemployment extension by using the filibuster. The Democrats could have stopped them at any time with the “reconciliation” tactic. But they didn’t. After hundreds of thousands lost UI, it took the replacement of a dead Senator for them to act. It is time for politicians to stop messing around, the people need to get together and fight back!”

#MinneapolisMN #PoorPeoplesMovements #Labor #EconomicCrisis #Unemployment #NetworkToFightForEconomicJustice

Workers Prepare Strike at UIC – Need Your Support!

2700 union workers, members of SEIU Local 73 at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) are preparing to strike on Monday, August 23rd. They are demanding job security and a fair contract. They need your support. The Network to Fight for Economic Justice (NFEJ) is calling on its affiliates and supporters to show your solidarity.

The strike is provoked by UIC’s attempts to undermine the union and by an administration trying to balance the budget on the backs of workers. The UIC big wigs eliminated hundreds of civil service jobs by “reclassifying”, declaring the positions non-union. Not surprisingly most of those “reclassified” jobs are going to whites, while Blacks and Latinos account for 95% of the union workers. SEIU Local 73 is not going to allow this outrage!

An equally big issue is pay raises for union members. UIC pleads poverty because of the State budget crisis, but has actually increased their budget through contributions from rich people. Fact is the bosses at UIC are busy lining their pockets at the expense of workers, taxpayers, and students. Apparently there is no economic crisis if you are a big boss at a state university. President Hogan makes $620,000 per year with a $245,000 bonus over five years. Hogan’s assistant took an 85% pay increase to make $195,000 per year!

What is going on there? The average worker, according to management’s own estimate, makes $35,000 a year after many years on the job. While many workers are losing homes, the UIC bosses wasted $500,000 of taxpayer money to refurbish a mansion in the midst of this economic crisis. Are they crazy!

The brave union members of Local 73 SEIU need to be supported and praised for taking a stand and setting an example for other workers. The leaders of SEIU Local 73 are united and strong behind one of the biggest strikes in the country this year. The International union needs to understand the importance of this strike and send in reinforcements too. Meanwhile, it is the union members with the support of students, faculty and solidarity from other workers who will determine the outcome of this big battle in the heartland. Please do your part to help win the SEIU strike at UIC:

1. Sign the petition to demand a fair contract for SEIU workers. This sends a message to UIC Chancellor Allen-Meares, UIC President Hogan, and members of the administration's bargaining team that we want a fair contract. The online petition can be found here: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/uicfaircontractsnow
2. Strike solidarity—on Monday come walk the SEIU picket lines at UIC Student Center East at 750 S. Halsted, starts at 6:00 a.m.
3. Spread the word—circulate the electronic petition to unions, community and student groups.

They Say Cut Back! We Say Fight Back!

Reach the Network to Fight for Economic Justice at: www.nfej.org

#ChicagoIL #SEIULocal73 #NetworkToFightForEconomicJustice

March on May Day!

The Network for Economic Justice (NFEJ) is calling all members and affiliated unions and groups to mobilize for the May 1st immigrant rights marches and rallies across the U.S. Hundreds of thousands of working people, mainly Chicano/Mexicano – but all sorts of working people who want justice – will be out in the streets with signs and chants demanding “Legalization now!” and “Stop the raids and deportations!”

We need Congress to pass a just immigration bill. 12 million undocumented workers should have the right to come out of the shadows. Then children can stop worrying about their parents’ work places being raided and whether or not their parents are carried off to detention centers.

Unions and community groups are mobilizing their members. By marching in the streets on May 1, we can force the U.S. Congress to pass a just immigration law. We can stop the heavily armed Homeland Security forces from dividing up even more families. We can build a better society with equality and fairness.

A strong showing on May Day will be a blow against corporations that are trying to drive the process around immigration laws. The corporations want cheap labor and big profits. They want “guest worker” programs that deny rights to immigrant workers and put super-exploitation into law. Sadly, some unions are going along with this too.

Many politicians are pushing bills that mainly benefit corporations and the rich, while doing little for immigrant workers. Most politicians want to ignore the movement and give their corporate masters something they call “comprehensive reform.” Their “comprehensive reform” means “stick it to the little people” — add more barriers and punishment for people who haven’t done anything but work hard at low pay. Obama promised immigration reform, but it is clear we need to demand it now, not later.

There are two sides to this issue. One is the side of the corporations; the other is the side of the working people. The business bosses love it (and make money) when native-born and immigrants talk against each other. Don’t let the corporations win. May 1 is the day to come together and demand a decent life for all working people.

May Day started in1886 when Chicago workers, many of them immigrants, struck for the eight-hour day. Some died fighting for what is right. Now on May Day, workers march and celebrate in every country, understanding that those who labor down the street and across the globe are their brothers and sisters. May Day is a day for unity, where workers of all nationalities can support each other. Since 2006 in the U.S., the May Day theme is “Fight For Legalization Now!

So get your union, community, housing, welfare rights, or student group and bring them down to the big marches. Bring your flags and banners! Make your own signs for “Legalization Now!” and “No Guest Worker Programs!” We have a world to win!

Find the NFEJ website at: www.wesayfightback.com

#UnitedStates #Labor #NetworkToFightForEconomicJustice

Tell UIC “Stop Stalling! We Want A Fair Contract Now!”

Network to Fight for Economic Justice (NFEJ)

The Graduate Employees Organization (GEO), a union at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), is demanding a fair contract. While graduate employees teach many of today’s university classes, many live at or near the poverty level and chalk up great debts pursuing an education. UIC administrators are dithering about granting waivers for tuition and a controversial fee they call “tuition differentials”. Graduate employees are being asked to give a big chunk of their paycheck back to UIC by paying for tuition and hidden fees.

GEO at UIC, an affiliate of the Network to Fight for Economic Justice (NFEJ), is asking members and supporters to send emails demanding “Stop Stalling! We Want A Fair Contract Now!” to the UIC bosses at http://xrl.us/bgfowe.

Jes Cook, GEO Organizing Chair said, “We are at the one year mark in negotiations, and Monday will be our third federal mediation session. Last week, the administration told the campus community that our work is valued. Well, the time has come to show it. Give us job security and guarantee our tuition waivers. Settle this contract now.”

Joe Iosbaker, chief steward of SEIU Local 73 at UIC and a member of the NFEJ, said, “We support the GEO, and we are in the same boat as we prepare to take a strike vote next week. The bosses leave us only two choices: suffer or fight. Like the GEO, we will fight.”

The GEO is part of American Federation of Teachers Local 6297, representing 1400 teachers at UIC. Please visit GEO's website at http://www.uic-geo.net/ for more information and updates.

The final mediation session is Monday, April 5th, 2010. The GEO invites you to rally at 8am, Student Center East, 750 S. Halsted, Chicago.

For more info contact the NFEJ at http://wesayfightback.com/wordpress/

#ChicagoIL #StudentMovement #NetworkToFightForEconomicJustice #GraduateEmployeesOrganization

Alabama Bus Drivers Win Union Contract!

*Statement from the Network to Fight for Economic Justice (NFEJ)*

Union bus drivers at the University of Alabama are celebrating today! They voted to accept their first union contract late last night, March 8, 2010. All the members and supporters of the Network to Fight for Economic Justice are rejoicing with them!

Organizing a union and winning a first contract are difficult enough. To organize in the South where racism and intimidation are strong factors, is spectacular! The union workers and leaders of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1208 are to be congratulated for their grit and determination. They stood up and sent a message across the country, “We’re NOT going to take it anymore!”

Most of the bus drivers are African-American, and many are women. The key to victory was uniting the workers and having solid allies in the fight – especially the University of Alabama Students for a Democratic Society (SDS). SDS organized the campus support that shifted the balance in favor of the union. The students stayed up past midnight making poster board signs and showed up at the bus depot by 4:30 AM to walk the strike picket. While the bus drivers held the picket lines, SDS rallied students to actively support the strikers in ending their poverty wages. Public opinion overwhelmingly supported the bus drivers. It was powerful!

SDS also brought in the Network to Fight for Economic Justice to organize national call-in days targeting UA President Witt. The first call in day demanded Witt make a statement in support of the hard working bus drivers. The second one, during the one-day strike, demanded President Witt stop university “scab vans”. Union leaders and activists, welfare rights organizers, community organizers, and students called from at least thirty cities and towns – including Seattle, Chicago, Dallas, LA, Tucson, Boston, Birmingham, Asheville, Gainesville, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Milwaukee, Olympia, Chapel Hill, and New York City. Mario Harmon, the ATU Local 1208 Secretary Treasurer, could not be more thankful for the solidarity shown.

The gains made by establishing the union contract are important and will benefit every worker. The First Transit management, part of British corporation FirstGroup, will no longer be able to fire workers at a whim. The union provides fairness to everyone. The wage increases negotiated at the table will raise most drivers out of poverty. The drivers won one more personal day, for a total of three. When a bus is unsafe, management will have to listen to the driver.

The rank and file bus drivers will have to prepare for the next contract struggle down the road. The union will need to make gains around affordable health care, sick days, and wage increases to match other union bus drivers. Today however, the victory is won! The workers now have a contract to build upon and they are setting an example to other workers to stand up and take back what belongs to them!

#TuscaloosaAL #AfricanAmerican #NetworkToFightForEconomicJustice #CrimsonRide

Mario Harmon, ATU Local 1208 Financial Secretary, said that the drivers would vote on the contract the evening of March 8. “It’s a good first contract and it improves our situation a great deal. There are some things we want to work toward in future contracts, but this is a good contract,” he said. He mentioned that their main priorities were to improve the drivers’ wages as well as provide them with a just cause clause to give them more job security.

Leading up to the strike, Students for a Democratic Society in Tuscaloosa and the Network to Fight for Economic Justice have supported the drivers. There was a successful call-in day to university president Dr. Witt on Feb. 17 demanding that the school put pressure on First Transit to provide the drivers with a fair contract. Since then they have continued to call in, and students have offered on-the-ground support through flyering on campus, holding a rally and joining the drivers on their early morning picket line.

#TuscaloosaAL #StudentMovement #StudentsForADemocraticSociety #AfricanAmerican #NetworkToFightForEconomicJustice #CrimsonRide

Solidarity with Tuscaloosa Campus Bus Drivers!

Justice for Southern Workers!

The women and men who drive the buses at the University of Alabama Tuscaloosa need your support and solidarity. They are sick and tired of getting paid $9.50 an hour for hard work. They are fighting hard for a decent first contract that would offer protection from arbitrary firings. And as things stand today, the vast majority of them aren’t working – most of the buses are not running and the drivers do not have a dime of income coming in.

The Crimson Ride Shuttle Drivers are members of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1208. Many of the drivers are African Americans and many are women. Their struggle for justice has attracted national support from students and trade unionists. On March 1 they went on strike. Later that day, negotiations resumed and the drivers announced they would return to work the next day. On March 2 the university announced that it was only going to operate a few of the bus routes and only a few of the bus drivers would be going to work.

But the Crimson Ride Shuttle Drivers are determined to win better lives for themselves and their families. And they are not walking alone in their efforts. At the University of Alabama, students organized by the local chapter of Students for a Democratic Society have shown they understand the stand the true meaning of solidarity. They have organized rallies, circulated petitions, and walked the picket lines during the strike. They put pressure on the university to stop supporting the union busters at First Transit. In addition the Network to fight for Economic Justice has been building support for the drivers across the country.

This is an important battle, for the Tuscaloosa bus drivers, their families, and for working people across the U.S. Big corporations like First Transit want to drive down our standard of living. They like the fact that that pay is lower, and working conditions are worse in the South. A victory in Tuscaloosa will be a victory for everyone who wants justice.

Call First Transit today at (205) 345-0941

Demand First Transit give Drivers a decent contract

Network to Fight for Economic Justice

#TuscaloosaAL #StudentMovement #AfricanAmerican #NetworkToFightForEconomicJustice #CrimsonRide

Tuscaloosa , AL – On March 1, the University of Alabama Crimson Ride shuttle bus drivers began a strike in order to gain a living wage, benefits, job security and respect on the job. At 5:00 a.m., the drivers formed their picket line in front of the local First Transit headquarters and Crimson Ride bus yard. Students quickly mobilized to support the drivers, making signs and a massive banner reading, “Students support the strike!” They held signs reading, “Walk or bike, respect the strike!” and “Safety and dignity for drivers now!” Chanting, “What do we want? Contract! When do we want it? Right now!” the drivers and their supporters stood as the sun rose and waited for any possible strikebreakers.

The surprise strike came in response to a failed attempt at contract negotiations with First Transit, the corporation that the University of Alabama contracts with to provide the campus bus service. After months of attempting to negotiate a contract, First Transit came to the table due to increased pressure generated by the national support for the drivers. On Feb. 18, the negotiations ended with an insulting offer of a 17-cent raise for the drivers, with no mention of benefits or the ‘client prevails’ clause that allows drivers to be fired at any time.

Though the bus drivers were able to convince most of their coworkers to not cross the picket line, a few crossed it. Only a few buses made it to campus to drive their routes. Signs were posted at bus stops telling riders to expect delays and that certain routes would not be running. The strike was successful, as the usually busy roads around campus were empty. However, a couple of hours later, Dr. Witt, the University of Alabama President who previously refused to make a statement about the drivers’ situation, made it clear that he was on the side of First Transit. Calling on university employees to drive 15-passenger vans under threat of job termination, he compensated for the inactive buses by bringing in ‘scab vans.’

Back on campus, the students responded to Witt’s actions by splitting up into teams and distributing informational fliers about the strike. They encouraged other students not to ride the scab buses and vans; some students briefly boarded the buses and vans, asking the drivers who had crossed the picket line to support the strike, and passing out information to the passengers on board. Meanwhile, supporters organized by the Network to Fight for Economic Justice (NFEJ) called in from across the country, demanding Dr. Witt support the strike and the workers.

Several hours into the strike, union members received word that First Transit wanted to return to negotiations. Though they will return to work, their struggle is not over yet; their demands, including safer buses and a living wage, must be met or the strike may continue.

“I'm hoping they didn't just bring us back to the table for no reason,” said Tia Brown, union steward for the Crimson Ride drivers. “I pray that they brought us back to the table for something worthwhile that the members consider to be fair. Whether the negotiations go good or bad, the ultimate decision is in the members’ hands.”

Students are hopeful, but preparing for more struggle. “The strike was successful because so many people were willing to put themselves out there and take a stand for fair labor practices and dignity for the workers,” said Pia Garber, a member of the University of Alabama Students for a Democratic Society. “And the really amazing thing is that we’re all ready to continue the fight at a moment’s notice if we have to. We’re not going to stop until a fair contract is accepted by the union, and even then, we’ll always have an eye on First Transit.”

#TuscaloosaAL #StudentMovement #AfricanAmerican #NetworkToFightForEconomicJustice #CrimsonRide

Fight to Defend Education and Jobs on March 4!

The Network to Fight for Economic Justice calls on all its members and supporters at schools and colleges across the country to protest and rally for jobs and education rights on March 4. In the midst of the greatest economic downturn since the Great Depression, workers and students are struggling more than ever to stop cutbacks and layoffs and to keep fair wages, affordable tuition and the right to an education.

On March 4, students and workers will take a stand to say no more to bailouts and big bonuses for bankers as campus employees and students are made to pay for the budget crisis. Campus workers, professors, teachers and graduate students across the country face massive budget cuts, furloughs, layoffs and shortened hours. Students face tuition and fee hikes that are driving them out of school, hindering access to a quality education, denying their hopes and dreams.

In the face of this dire situation of economic crisis created by the rich, the bankers, and the politicians, workers and students are fighting back. Three examples are: (1) the student and worker strikes at the massive University of California system last November; (2) the University of Alabama bus drivers fight for a union contract with a livable wage; and (3) the Garfield High School parents’ group and the United Teachers union of Los Angeles fighting privatization of the education system. There is hope in the struggle!

On March 4, the fight continues, as a nationwide movement led by coalitions of campus union workers like Teamsters, AFSCME and SEIU, professors’ associations and graduate employee organizations (NEA, AFT, GEO), students groups like SDS and MEChA and Black student unions, parents organizations, and community members plan to take action chanting, “Chop from the Top!” and “They say Cut Back, We say Fight Back!” and “Education Is a Right!”

March 4 will be a turning point in the struggle against education cutbacks. Politicians and the wealthy people who tell them what to do will have to think twice about making cutbacks that slice education budgets. The movement must demand more taxes on the corporations and the rich. Students and workers are sick of being told there is money for war and there’s no money for jobs, housing, health care and education.

Please write to the Network at info@wesayfightback.com if you want more information and to sign up for the Network email list. Send us photos and reports on the March 4 protests. We will publish them on our web site.

#UnitedStates #NetworkToFightForEconomicJustice #March4thMovement

Alabama Bus Drivers On Strike! Justice for Southern Workers!

Stop President Witt From Breaking Bus Drivers' Strike!

March 1, 2010 – Alabama bus drivers are now on strike! At 4:30 this morning, union bus drivers, joined by students with home made picket signs, gathered at the company depot to begin picketing. Bus drivers talked other fellow union members into joining them on the picket line and the buses are idle. Alabama Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) leaders report the university posted signs saying, “No bus service today.” Mario Harman, a local officer with the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1208, said the strike was effective so far and spirits are high!

However, Dr. Witt, University of Alabama President is forcing university workers to run 15-passenger vans around campus and threatening to fire them if they don't break the strike.

Last week Dr. Witt told Chapin Gray, a member of Alabama SDS and a steering committee member of the Network to Fight for Economic Justice, “You are calling the wrong person, the university was not involved at all in the dispute between First Transit and the bus drivers' union, ATU 1208.” Chapin asked Dr. Witt to make a statement of support for the union bus drivers and he refused. Now we see whose side he is on!

Call Dr. Witt TODAY at 205-348-5103

Tell Dr. Witt, “Stop Scabbing! Support the union bus drivers!”

1. Honor the strike
2. Make a public statement supporting the ATU 1208 bus drivers
3. Tell First Transit to settle with the union!

The Network to Fight for Economic Justice (NFEJ) can be reached at www.wesayfightback.com

#TuscaloosaAL #StudentMovement #strike #NetworkToFightForEconomicJustice #CrimsonRide

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the Network to Fight for Economic Justice urging support for the Crimson Ride bus drivers.

Justice for Southern workers!

Support University of Alabama bus drivers fighting for a living wage!

Call to action from the Network to Fight for Economic Justice

In Tuscaloosa, Alabama, bus drivers are in the midst of a struggle for a living wage. Fed up with earning poverty wages, the bus drivers are demanding their first union contract. Nearly a year ago, the Crimson Ride bus drivers voted unanimously to join Amalgamate Transit Union (ATU) Local 1208.

The University of Alabama contracts out to First Transit, a division of the massive British multinational FirstGroup PLC, which runs the Crimson Ride bus service on campus. The university pays the company $55.50 an hour, and in turn, the company pays the drivers a paltry $9.50 an hour – poverty wages. The union drivers are demanding $14 per hour and benefits comparable to university bus drivers in other states.

First Transit employs more than 60 drivers. Most are African-American and many are women. They face intimidation and harassment on the job from the boss. They receive none of the benefits that employees of the University of Alabama get. There is no pay on university holidays or during school breaks. Most cannot afford the expensive health care coverage that First Transit offers. Many work two jobs to make ends meet.

The South is not a friendly place for workers – ‘right to work’ laws make forming a union a nearly impossible task. Wages are lower and poverty is higher in the South due to racism against African-Americans and the lack of unions. Despite these obstacles, the Crimson Ride drivers are demanding the wages and benefits they deserve. The union drivers are launching a campaign to ask University of Alabama President Dr. Robert Witt to tell First Transit to meet the demands of the union. Supporting the union drivers, the Tuscaloosa chapter of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) is boarding buses to gather petition signatures.

During the 1950s and ‘60s in Alabama, courageous men, women and children fought for justice and civil rights. Rosa Parks refused to budge from her seat at the front of the bus. Today, the Crimson Ride bus drivers are standing up and fighting back for equal treatment, fair pay, and workers’ rights.

First Transit, Stop Stalling!

The Network to Fight for Economic Justice (NFEJ) is calling on trade unionists, housing activists, civil and equal rights groups, community organizations and students from across the country to stand in solidarity with the Crimson Ride drivers. Statements of solidarity can be sent to Union Steward Tia Brown at tb3341@yahoo.com.

The NFEJ is organizing a National Call In Day on February 17th:

Call Dr. Witt, President of the University of Alabama at 205-348-5103 and tell him “Stop stalling! We want a contract! Justice for the bus drivers now!”

#TuscaloosaAL #StudentMovement #StudentsForADemocraticSociety #SDS #NetworkToFightForEconomicJustice #ATULocal1208 #FirstGroupPLC #AmalgamatedTransitUnion #UniversityOfAlabama

Tuscaloosa, AL – Over the last month, students and bus drivers have been working together in order to win a living wage for the Crimson Ride shuttle drivers at the University of Alabama. The bus drivers are not state employees, but are contracted by FirstGroup PLC, a multinational corporation notorious for unfair labor practices.

Since unionizing last May, the drivers have tried to negotiate with FirstGroup but have met with little response. However, because students and bus drivers began work on publicizing this struggle, negotiations will be taking place on Feb. 18. Students for a Democratic Society in Tuscaloosa and the Network to Fight for Economic Justice (NFEJ), a national network of union, community and student organizations are urging all supporters of this campaign to call University of Alabama president Dr. Witt to tell him that they support the drivers and demand that he put pressure on FirstGroup.

Members of Students for a Democratic Society at the University of Alabama have been riding the buses, announcing the drivers' struggle for better wages and collecting signatures from supporters. “Students don't realize their bus drivers are making only $9.50 an hour, and when we tell them, they are upset; they are appalled,” said Chapin Gray of Students for a Democratic Society. “Students not only rely on these buses to get to class on time, but have formed relationships with the drivers who greet them every morning as they arrive on campus. They are overwhelmingly supportive of the drivers.”

The Facebook group has over 200 members, while both paper and online petitions being circulated have collected hundreds of signatures from supporters both on the University of Alabama (UA) campus and across the country. Lately, Amalgamated Transit Union Vice-president Kenneth Kirk, a former Crimson Ride driver, some students and a few others went to speak to Dr. Witt, but were denied.

The drivers are also teaming up with the Network to Fight for Economic Justice to organize a national call-in day on Feb. 17 to tell President Witt to put pressure on FirstGroup.

One of the drivers, who wished to remain anonymous, answered student questions over the PA system aboard the bus, telling students that he has had to take double-shifts to make ends meet and that of all of the driving jobs he has held, this one had the least benefits and lowest pay. “We are professional drivers. We deserve a professional wage,” he announced. He expressed confidence that the drivers would be victorious in their struggle with the added pressure on Dr. Witt from the call-in day.

According to the call put out by the NFEJ, “The South is not a friendly place for workers – ‘right to work’ laws make forming a union a nearly impossible task. Wages are lower and poverty is higher in the South due to racism against African-Americans and the lack of unions. Despite these obstacles, the Crimson Ride drivers are demanding the wages and benefits they deserve.”

“Call Dr. Witt, President of the University of Alabama at 205-348-5103 and tell him ‘Stop stalling! We want a contract! Justice for the bus drivers now!’”

#TuscaloosaAL #StudentMovement #NetworkToFightForEconomicJustice #CrimsonRide

Urbana Champaign, IL – At 8:00 a.m., Nov. 16, hundreds of teaching assistants rallied in a cold, driving rain on the campus of the University of Illinois. The members of the Graduate Employees' Organization (GEO) set up pickets in front of all doors of the four main lecture buildings on campus. Natalie Havlin, co-chair of the GEO steward's council, said 1000 people joined in the spirited circles.

Despite the weather, the fired up crowds drummed and chanted, “T-U-I-T-I-O-N! Waive it and we'll teach again!” The union had been pushed to strike by attacks on their tuition waivers, which make it possible for working-class students to afford higher education. Their demands also included a minimum salary, set at the university’s own estimate of a living wage.

One department head warned grads against participating in the strike. In the face of this intimidation, all 17 employees there voted to join the pickets.

The strike is set to continue on Nov. 17 while the two sides return to the bargaining table. Rich Potter, communication committee member, spoke passionately to a rally on the steps of the administration building at the end of the day. “Refusing to negotiate language to guarantee tuition waivers is an attack on access to higher education for all.” He called on the crowd to return the next morning just as strong and they roared their approval.

Amber Cooper, of the Network to Fight For Economic Justice and University of Illinois Chicago Alumni states that the GEO has asked for the following support:

1. Send statements of solidarity to Miriam Larson
2. Send people to join those on strike on the picket lines at buildings around the UIUC campus
3. Call and email the U of I Board of Trustees and tell them how you feel.
4. Join the GEO facebook fan page for updates

#UrbanaChampaignIL #StudentMovement #strike #UniversityOfIllinois #NetworkToFightForEconomicJustice #GEO #GraduateEmployeesOrganization

Students from across the country participated in a National Day of Action for Education Rights, Nov. 10, demanding an end to the budget cuts, layoffs and tuition hikes hitting schools since the economic crisis began.

The Campaign for Education Rights, a working group of the Network to Fight for Economic Justice, organized the protests after the students, faculty and staff of the University of California system held mass walk-outs and occupations in September. “Now is the time to carry the momentum forward into a nationwide movement for education rights,” reads the call to action. Over a dozen organizations endorsed the National Day of Action for Education Rights.

In Milwaukee, WI, over 100 students and workers picketed outside the administrative office building. The event was organized by the UWM Education Rights Campaign. Speakers included Cathy Kaye of the professors’ union, Lee Abbott of the teacher assistants’ union, Gilbert Johnson of AFSCME Local 82, Moondancer Drake of Students Equalizing Rights Forever, Clint Myrick of the Black Student Union, Jacob Flom of Milwaukee Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and author and lecturer Michael Parenti. Angela Lang, an emcee at the rally, led the picket into a march to the doors of the Chancellor’s office. She thought the rally was a great kick-off of the campaign. “The Chancellor of our university is helping make cuts to our university while allowing himself a pay raise. We were chanting 'education is a right' and I was glad to be there protecting student rights.”

In Asheville, North Carolina, the UNCA chapter of Students for a Democratic Society staged a mock funeral for the EARN scholarship, a scholarship for over 10,000 low-income students that was recently cancelled. In the student union, protesters dressed in black gathered around a fake coffin and tombstone to ‘mourn’ the death of the scholarship. “We wanted to send a message to the North Carolina general assembly that youth and workers will not stand for this, said Viviana Moreno of UNCA-SDS. “Working people will not foot the bill for the economic crisis that has been created by the rich.”

In Minneapolis, Minnesota, the University of Minnesota chapter of SDS organized a protest of over 40 people speak out against the high salaries of the university administration and the tuition hikes on campus. Protesters beat into pieces a piñata modeled after the university president, chanting, “Money for education, not for administration!”

“We’re seeing a huge crisis in foreclosures and unemployment and cuts to social services,“ said Andrew Somers, a member of UMN- SDS. “It’s a time where a lot of different fight backs need to happen. This was an inspiring event and we need to continue fighting.”

The fight for education rights is not over. Schools across the country are continuing with plans to protest cuts, layoffs and tuition hikes and students are inspired by the militant campus occupations happening around the country.

#UnitedStates #NetworkToFightForEconomicJustice #CampaignForEducationRights

As students and youth across the country prepare for the November 10 day of action for education rights, Fight Back! sat down with Josh Sykesof UNC-Asheville Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), Sallie Linfrom the Bay Area in California and Stephanie Taylorfrom University of Minnesota SDSto discuss the day of action, organizing the student movement and the movement to demand education as a fundamental right, not a privilege. All three organizers have been deeply involved in building for the day of action, and led the workshop at the Oct. 3 “We Say Fight Back!” conference in Chicago that launched the initiative for the Nov. 10 day of action for education rights.

Fight Back!: Josh, could you start by giving us some background on the Oct. 3 conference and what came out of it?

Josh Sykes: The “We Say Fight Back” conference was a grassroots conference that was put together by trade unionists, housing activists, urban poor organizers, leaders from the immigrant rights movement and student organizers. The conference brought hundreds of activists and organizers from these struggles together to share experiences, draw some general lessons from those experiences, and make common plans.

The most significant thing to come out of the conference was the formation of the Network to Fight for Economic Justice (http://www.wesayfightback.com), linking these struggles together in a very important way. Additionally, one of the workshops was on building the fight for education rights. In that workshop we passed a resolution to call for a national day of student action for education rights on Nov. 10.

Fight Back!: Can you talk about why you all chose to frame the student and youth workshop in terms of education rights?

Josh Sykes: It is the next logical step for the student movement. Many of us in the student movement learned to organize in the anti-war movement and we fought tooth and nail against U.S. imperialism in Iraq, Palestine and Afghanistan.

Now we’re dealing with the effects of this same system as the crisis hits home. The same economic crisis that propels the U.S. to war around the world is now putting millions out of work and out of their homes. The crisis is now on the verge of throwing working, oppressed nationality and low-income students out school and barring the doors for a long time to come.

People across the country had already started fighting back and winning gains, but the walkouts in the University of California on Sept. 24 really showed the way very clearly and we have to carry this momentum forward. We have to get organized and fight to ensure that education is recognized as a human right, just as we have to fight for the right to housing, healthcare and living-wage jobs.

If the rich have their way, higher education will be consolidated as a bastion of the elite. We can’t accept education for the privileged any longer. It has to be for everyone. We have to tear down the 'ivory tower' and lead a struggle that can make education free for everyone.

Fight Back!: Sallie, at the conference you spoke about how education access is denied to many oppressed nationality youth. How do you see the struggle of oppressed nationalities for full equality linking up with the Nov. 10 education rights actions?

Sallie Lin: Firstly, for the Day of Action for Education Rights on Nov. 10, I hope to see all student forces unite, whether these are students of oppressed nationalities or students who come from relatively more privileged backgrounds but are equally concerned about the ever-shrinking access to higher education. We are all in this together and solidarity will help us win this fight.

Second, as students of oppressed nationalities, our demands would be for the University System to recognize our unique circumstances and how their continuous, unreasonable cutbacks push students from low-income families, many of whom are from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, out of the educational system.

We want an end to the slashing of programs that attract students of color and women, programs that help contribute to campus diversity, and which the University takes pride in. We want a public acknowledgement from the University that our needs as students of oppressed nationalities and our needs as students in general, are more important than the paychecks of the top executives of the University. If we cannot pursue higher education anymore due to the 250% tuition increase, then their positions shouldn’t exist.

Personally I believe that, we, as students of oppressed nationalities, as people who have been historically marginalized, as well as our families and the workers of the University, deserve an apology.

Fight Back!: There have recently been huge demonstrations in California around the cuts to higher education, part of a movement that has been unfolding across the country over the past year. How do you see the education rights movement developing, and what do you think are the key demands to put forward?

Sallie Lin: I believe that as long as the public education system is being unjust, the power of the students will keep making our voices heard. The education rights movement will continue its momentum because we have invested trust in the system, and it has failed us. Our key demands would be: One, Affordable tuition; two, oversight on University spending and executive salaries; three, increase financial aid and four, an end to the slashing of programs that are crucial to campus diversity.

Fight Back! : Stephanie, you have been involved in getting the word out for the Nov. 10 day of action. Can you give us an idea of what actions will happen on that day?

Stephanie Taylor: Specifically on our campus, the University of Minnesota, the Campaign to Save Our School, a campaign initiated by SDS which has united diverse student groups throughout campus, will be calling on students to bombard the bursars office with tuition and loan bills/statements. This would essentially bring tangible attention to the fact that students can't afford their bills anymore.

From the bursar's office we will then have a disruptive rally/dance party/flash mob outside the administrative building, administrator-esque piñata in tow, to demonstrate having a sort of ‘going away’ party for accessible education. We'll be delivering our tuition bills and demanding the president take a pay cut to ameliorate our debt.

Students throughout the nation will and have been engaging in a diversity of tactics which are appropriate to the situation on their campus. Students need to ‘get out of their desks and into the streets’ to affect change on their campuses. Now is the time to fight, before education in our country is degraded even more.

Fight Back!: What is the response you have seen locally, or nationally, in response to the call for a day of action around education rights?

Stephanie Taylor: Students are really latching onto the call to action, more than I have ever seen in the years I have been organizing on campus. I think this is indicative of the fact that students really get it, that we are actually realizing how tough it is going to be for us after our college careers. When you say “cut tuition hikes” you have ten people stop to hear a little bit more.

Locally, our campus paper on a daily basis has editorials speaking to the contradictions we see on campus (layoffs and tuition increases while spending billions on construction projects). Our campus is becoming rejuvenated with more criticism of university politics than I've seen in a while.

Nationally, students seem to be extraordinarily motivated by the NYU occupation that happened last winter, along with the UC fight backs that are happening daily as we speak.

We need to pay attention to the national actions so we can learn from each other as we struggle for change. This is why the national day of action is incredibly important to rally students around...to unite our struggles separated by cities and states into one movement for education rights.

Fight Back!: Where do you see the movement for education rights heading after Nov. 10? What is next?

Stephanie Taylor: Nov. 10 will hopefully be the first critical move to uniting students at a national level. Staying connected post-Nov. 10 would be the most critical thing here. Ensuring that campuses continue to pursue not only radical actions on their campus in the name of education rights, but also the research and insight it takes to fight against the bureaucracy of our administration will make our campaigns winnable.

It is incredibly important to build this movement according to the particular situations on our campuses, while at the same time uniting as a national movement demanding that education be accessible to all, because education is a right!

#UnitedStates #EducationRights #Interviews #UniversityOfCalifornia #NetworkToFightForEconomicJustice

Stephanie Weiner of the Network to Fight for Economic Justice presented $1,500 to SK Hand Tool striker John McHale. The money was raised October 3, at the 'We Say Fight Back' conference in Chicago, where trade union, community, immigrant rights, and student activists came together to found the Network to Fight for Economic Justice. SK Hand and Tool strikers were prominent in the conference and attendees vowed to build support for the strike.

On August 25, workers struck SK Hand Tools because the company owner stopped paying their health insurance premiums as required by their contract.

#ChicagoIL #Teamsters #strike #TeamstersLocal743 #SKHandTool #NetworkToFightForEconomicJustice #NFEJ