Take Action to support dockworkers!

Tell Payless Shoes to stop encouraging Military interference in dockworker negotiations!

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: U.S. troops don't belong on the backs of our workers

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am very concerned about the participation of Payless Shoe Source in the "West Coast Waterfront Coalition". This coalition is pushing the federal government to intimidate Longshore workers on behalf of the big shipping companies. The federal government has threatened to have federal troops take over all the west coast docks to force the workers to accept management's demands.

The negotiations between the ILWU and the Pacific Maritime Association are private. The ILWU has been negotiating with their employers since 1937, and their last strike was in 1971. If the Bush administration will let the workers and their employers negotiate, both sides can come to a fair agreement again.

I urge Payless to get out of the West Coast Waterfront Coalition and urge the government to allow the bargaining to go on without interference from outsiders. I will not shop at Payless Shoes as long as Payless wants our military interfering in worker negotiations.

Let the unions and the employers negotiate fairly.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
August 22, 2002


Background Information

U.S. Troops don't Belong on the Backs of our workers!

Payless Shoe Source is trying to use the U.S. Military to interfere with civil negotiations between dockworkers and big shipping companies.

Payless Shoes has formed an alliance with other giant corporations called the "West Coast Waterfront Coalition" to protect billions in corporate profits made from imported products.  That "coalition" has gotten the federal government to threaten sending federal troops to force management's takeaways on West Coast dockworkers, members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU).

ILWU union members have been negotiating with their employer since 1934.  Their last strike was in 1971.  If the Bush administration will let the workers and their employers negotiate, both sides can come to a fair agreement again.  But Payless Shoe Source and the other big retailers have used their corporate clout to interfere with private negotiations.  They want the government to serve big business, instead of letting both sides negotiate equally.

Tell Payless Shoes:

Stop pushing the federal government to interfere with civil negotiations!

Get out of the West Coast Waterfront Coalition!

Let workers and employers negotiate fairly!

I won't shop at Payless as long as Payless wants our military interfering in worker negotiations!