Ask the Red Hot Chili Peppers to Support Striking Forum Workers

Forum stagehands, janitors, and building engineers who were forced out of their jobs by the venue's new management are reaching out to the band, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, to help them in their fight. The workers will also be picketing outside the Forum during the band's concerts on Thursday, Aug. 31 and Friday, Sept. 1.

The workers are asking the Red Hot Chili Peppers to support them by telling the Forum management that they will not return to the Forum unless this labor dispute is fairly resolved. We would also like the band to acknowledge the workers who will be on the picket line outside during the show.

After 39 years at the Forum, more than 120 workers now find themselves on the sidewalk after having their wages and benefits slashed and the doors to the facility closed in their faces. For years the Forum worked with the unions, bringing good, middle class jobs to the community.

Please send a letter to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, asking them to support picketing workers!

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Support Union Workers at the Forum!

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

For 39 years, the Great Western Forum worked with unions to provide quality building management, janitorial services, and crews for concerts and events. But two years ago, the Forum's new owners hired SMG, a multi-national corporation, to manage the venue and they promptly went after the workers -- slashing wages and benefits and eventually dismissing hundreds of workers.

Working people's fight against corporations like SMG won't end when the Red Hot Chili Peppers finish the second show at the Forum, but you can make a statement against union busting at these venues by letting the Forum know that you won't come back for future concerts unless this dispute is fairly resolved.

Also, please let your fans know about the struggle going on outside and that you support the picketing worker's struggle.

Stand up for workers and good, middle class jobs in the community by telling the management of the Great Western Forum that you support good jobs in Inglewood and want a union crew back at the Forum.

Thank you in advance for your help in this fight!

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
August 14, 2006


Background Information

On August 31 and September 1, the Red Hot Chili Peppers will be performing at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood - where striking workers from IA 33, as well members of SEIU, the Teamsters, and the Operating Engineers, are picketing. After having the wages cut by as much as 35 percent, union workers at the Forum are now finding themselves locked out and on the street. For 39 years, the Forum worked with the unions, bringing good paying jobs to the community.

Now we are asking the Red Hot Chili Peppers to support the workers by insisting that the Forum deal fairly with picketing workers.

By demanding management sit down and negotiate with unions, performers like the Red Hot Chili Peppers can send a message to SMG - the multi-national corporation managing the Forum - that attacking unions and cutting wages by over a third will not be tolerated. With the help of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, elected officials, and community activists, we can bring the Forum to the table and bring back these good paying, union jobs!