Paper Source, Respect Workers' Rights
Update: Good News!
Paper Source agrees to a preliminary meeting after one day of your faxes, calls, and emails.
Hold off on contacting Jim York for now.
Visit here for an update:
http://www.unionvoice.org/alert-story.tcl?alert_id=1517810
Thanks again for your support!
Previous explanation:
As supporters of Chicago JWJ, you've shown that workers' rights matter to us all. Right now, you can take action against companies that undermine the most basics standards for pay and workplace rights.
Support Day Labor Agency Workers
Tell Paper Source:
Ron's Staffing is Unfair. Listen to the Workers!
Paper Source continues to use 'Renegade' Ron's Staffing to supply day laborers to work as 'perma-temps' at their warehouse in Chicago. San Lucas Workers Center is fighting for Paper Source to fire Ron's Staffing and switch these temps to a Code of Conduct-compliant agency where they will receive better pay and working conditions.
Paper Source, a stationary empire, has a chain of 18 stores across the country and its profit has quadrupled in the last few years and had over $7 million in sales last year.
We ask you to support the workers now and send a fax to Jim York, owner of Paper Source.
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: Meet with Workers about Ron's practices
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
I am a concerned consumer. I disagree with Paper Source's practice of hiring day labor workers through an abusive agency. I urge you to meet with San Lucas Workers Center and the workers to find a solution.
San Lucas Workers Center, the community, and the workers are very disappointed with Paper Source. On August 31st, Paper Source promised them a meeting to sit down and find a solution for your temporary employees, then YOU broke your promise.
I understand that Ron's Staffing--your business partner--is unethical. I understand that it is common knowledge that Ron's Staffing violates the Chicago City Ordinance and Federal Labor Law, that it discriminates in dispatch and robs workers of wages, that it illegally charges workers for transportation, and that it threatens and intimidates workers when they speak up for their rights.
Paper Source customers believe that you sell sustainable products and care about your employees. I urge you to meet with San Lucas Workers Center to find a solution for your temporary employees from Ron's.
Keep your promise! Meet with San Lucas Workers Center! Workers deserve dignity and respect.
Sincerely,
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Campaign Launched:
November 09, 2005
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"I have been here more than 2 years, I work hard for Paper Source. I want to work through a good agency that will pay us better and treat us with respect," Eblin, Ron's Temp Worker at Paper Source.
Eblin is one of 30 immigrant women that work as day laborers through Ron's Staffing at Paper Source. She worked there on regular assignment for one year, where she gained good skills and received a small wage increase. Then she had a baby. When she returned, she had to start at the bottom again for less money. Now she is suffering intimidation for organizing her co-workers.
Paper Source charges $8 for one piece of Paper but can't pay their Temps $8 an Hour!!!
Short paychecks, illegal transportation charges, retaliation for organizing or complaining, discrimination, no job security, no opportunity to go from temp to permanent jobs and bullying by supervisors are some of the challenges Ron's workers face daily.
Day labor agency workers are a diverse group stuck in low-wage jobs--they get hired and fired every day. "We work hard for these companies, we deserve to work for an agency that will treat us with respect and follow the law," said Javier Franco, a day laborer and San Lucas leader.
The San Lucas Worker Center is the first worker-run campaign to pressure owners of prominent companies in Chicago to use Code of Conduct-compliant day labor agencies. The conduct code, which was created by workers, commits companies to fair treatment and full payment for any work. "You don't have to go halfway around the world to see sweatshop labor conditions, it's happening right here in Chicago. It's about time these companies are held accountable for how day labor workers are employed in these abusive conditions," added Randy Smith, a day laborer and president of the San Lucas Workers Center.
San Lucas Workers Center fights sweatshop abuses by Chicago day labor agencies and their client companies. We are a bi-lingual, multi-racial committee of immigrant and U.S.-born workers, directly affected by the issues, who are organizing to end sweatshop abuses by Chicago day labor agencies; win regular, family-supporting work; and generate self-determination for day laborers through worker-led collective action.
San Lucas Workers Center
info: Ari Glazer 773 573-6633
ari@sanlucasworkers.com
www.sanlucasworkers.org
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