KeyBank was approved for $2.5 billion as part of the national bailout. But instead of using the money to give relief to those hardest hit in the current economy, KeyBank is using their bailout money to increase corporate profits by buying other banks and underwriting Oak Harbor Freight Lines, a company that has cancelled its retirees health care and violated US and international labor laws affecting hundreds of striking Teamsters in Washington, Oregon and Idaho.  Listen to an ad about KeyBank here.

Last week, Jobs with Justice Coalitions in Portland and Seattle protested at KeyBank branches as part of the People's Bailout National Week of Action.  More actions are planned this week in six cities throughout the country.  Tell KeyBank:  We won’t back down until we see justice!

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am extremely concerned about KeyBank's ongoing financial support of Oak Harbor Freight Lines, a rogue company that has broken US labor law and violated international labor standards during a three month strike in the Northwest.

An investigation by the International Labor Rights Forum found that Oak Harbor has violated International Labor standards by, among other actions, discriminating against minorities and women in its hiring practices, pursuing a premeditated plan to permanently replace employees engaged in a lawful strike, employing a labor contractor that has behaved in a grossly unethical manner toward replacement workers it has provided to Oak Harbor, and by inflicting significant hardship on retired employees through the termination of health insurance contributions.

As a recipient of taxpayer money, KeyBank should act responsibly by extending relief to those most in need, every day customers, not extending lines of credit to companies like Oak Harbor.

As a taxpayer, I urge you not to finance Oak Harbor's worker abuses.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
December 16, 2008