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Brothers and Sisters,
With another Congressional Recess last week, the labor movement and its allies stepped up and executed over 200 events across the country in support of the Employee Free Choice Act. Last week in Indiana, working Hoosiers teamed up with Clergy members around the state with one unified, powerful message - labor law reform is necessary to revive America's economy, and we will not rest until that is accomplished. Three prayer vigils took place on Thursday in South Bend, Indianapolis, and Fort Wayne in an effort to reaffirm the position that over 60 denominations have taken: workers' rights are human rights and must be protected. Click here to see photos from the vigils. Click here to see video highlights from the vigils. In addition, union members in Terre Haute took part in a “Working Dinner” on Wednesday night hosted by the Wabash Valley Central Labor Council (click here to see photos). Not to mention, several delegations delivered letters and met with Senator Bayh and his aides throughout the week. Even though our elected officials are back in Washington now, we still must make sure they hear our voices all the way from Indiana. Please continue to call, write, and email our elected who are not yet co sponsors or supporters for the Employee Free Choice Act. Also, don’t forget to set aside some time to write a letter to the editor at your local newspaper so others in your community can learn about why this legislation is so important. Finally, be sure to visit the Indiana AFL-CIO Employee Free Choice Act blog regularly for new videos, pictures, and interviews from around the state. http://employeefreechoice.typepad.com/in/
In Solidarity,
1) Spotlight: CWA
Local 4900
Local 4900 Rallied in South
Bend Outside of AT&T on May
21 Members have not had a contract for over 9 weeks now and the company is asking workers to increase their contributions for healthcare from 8% to 23-25%. The local did not ask for wage or benefits increases, but only to maintain the agreement they already had with AT&T. “What AT&T is proposing would cancel out 20 years of collective bargaining in one swoop,” explained Local 4900 President Tim Strong, “ and we will not accept that from a company who made $15 billion dollars last year and $3 billion in the first quarter of this year.” About 80,000 members are affected by this current fight for a fair contract and each of us can help by visiting www.standupforworkers.com today and signing the online petition in support of CWA 4900. Even with a contract fight on their hands, CWA members are still doing their part to make sure the Employee Free Choice Act passes this year. Recently, over 300 members attended an 8 hour training class with a focus on mobilization around the Employee Free Choice Act. From the classroom to the real world, members utilized their training to help generate personal letters, phone calls, and emails to Senator Evan Bayh, as well as educate fellow brothers and sisters on the issues. Further, the recent debate held at IUPUI Law School between Stewart Acuff and Vice President Randel Johnson from the Chamber of Commerce is available to the public via Youtube, and President Strong plans to play it at his next membership meeting. “I was able to attend the debate and I want to make sure as many of our members get to see the lies the opposition are using to defeat this legislation,” he said. Click here to access videos from the debate.
President Tim Strong's video can be viewed here. See video of Vice President Leslie Blake here. Video of Staff Representative Brian Capper can be accessed here. “We are prepared to do whatever it takes to get this job done. CWA Local 4900 will not rest until the Employee Free Choice Act is the law of the land,” said President Strong.
2) Ally of the Week: LULAC
"For Latino workers, this economic crisis has been especially painful. Latino workers have made only 71.6% of what white workers made in recent years and also tend to be over represented in low-wage positions. However, when we have a contract in the workplace that we collectively bargained for, we have guarantees that we will be treated equally and with the respect and dignity we deserve," said Trinidad Alfaro, the Indiana LULAC State Director, Council 5006. "Our organization believes that the Employee Free Choice Act is a powerful tool that will help uplift Latin American workers and stimulate our lagging economy," explained LULAC's Deputy State Director Edwin Rosado. "We want to see Latinos empowered so that they can speak up for themselves on the job and bargain for better wages and benefits that will help their families and communities." Click here to view video of Deputy State Director Edwin Rosado explaining why LULAC supports the Employee Free Choice Act.
3) Upcoming Events
St. Joseph Valley Project Jobs with Justice
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Kokomo Young Democrats Roundtable Forum June 23, 6-7:30pm Location: Howard County Democrat Headquarters 102 W. Walnut St., Kokomo, IN
Visit this link to stay up
to date on upcoming events:
4) In the News
“Strong Labor Needed for Ample Recovery” By Bill Treash Terre Haute Tribune Star http://www.tribstar.com/letters/local_story_153220618.html “A War Against Organizing” By Kate Bronfenbrenner The Washington Post http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/02/AR2009060202967_pf.html “Local Chamber of Commerce Opposing Pro-Union Legislation” Bloomington Herald Times http://www.heraldtimesonline.com/stories/2009/06/02/business.qp-4652766.sto “Workers Still Being Intimidated” By H. Jon Faust Kokomo Tribune http://www.ktonline.com/letters/local_story_152204513.html “Workers Need to Consider Free Choice Act” By James Webster Brazil Times http://www.thebraziltimes.com/story/1543720.html “Employee Free Choice Act Would Bolster America” By Bob Parlin Post Tribune http://www.post-trib.com/news/opinion/letters/1594052,lett-parlin-vetview-0518.article “Rally for Union Bill” Fort Wayne Journal Gazette http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090529/BIZ/305299931 “2009 is Another Benchmark for Unions” By Joe Guitierez NWI Times “Debate With the Chamber of Commerce in Indiana” By Stewart Acuff Huffington Post http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stewart-acuff/debate-with-the-chamber-o_b_206179.html “Federal labor bill portends massive changes” NWI Times
5) Take Action! Follow these easy steps to help make sure the Employee Free Choice Act gets to President Obama's desk! 1. Write a letter, email, or fax to Senator Evan Bayh. a. Click here for sample messages. b. Click here Senator Bayh's office locations and fax numbers. c. Click here to email Senator Bayh.
Still not sure what to
write?
6) Campaign Contacts President Indiana AFL-CIO: Ken Zeller (317) 632-9147 or kzeller@inaflcio.org State Lead: Ramon Becerra (312) 330-2040 or rbecerra@aflcio.org Member to Member: Steven Henderson (317) 632-9147 or shenderson@inaflcio.org Communications: Kaitlin DeCero (412) 417-5984 or kdecero@employeefreechoice.org Faith: Nancy Holle (317) 509-7453 or nancyholle1@aol.com and Lettie Oliver (317) 508-5184 or loliver@inaflcio.org Community: Allison Luthe (317) 450-4019 or Allison@centralindianajwj.org and Shawn Phetteplace (703) 606-2396 or sphetteplace@afscme.org Small Business: Susan Fuldauer (317) 727-4505 or susanfuldauer@sbcglobal.net
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