Justice For Colibri Workers

On January 15, the 280 workers at Colibri, a jewelry manufacturer in Providence and East Providence, were informed that their jobs were gone. Colibri’s owners, New York-based Founders Private Equity SBIC, asked the Rhode Island Superior Court to appoint a receiver to sell the company’s assets to repay creditors.

But as the courts settle Colibri’s debts to banks and lenders, the workers could be left with nothing. Colibri workers, even those who had given 10, 20, 30+ years in service to the company, received no notice of their plant closing and are facing this recession head on with no relief.

That’s why they are organizing together as Colibri Workers for Rights and Justice. And they need our support.  They are demanding that Founders Equity negotiate with their elected leadership to give every Colibri Worker 60 days pay, 60 days benefits and severance based on years worked.

Please support Colibri Workers for Rights and Justice by taking a few seconds to send a free fax to Founders Equity partners right now.

In this economic crisis too many private banks and investment firms are shirking their responsibility to the people who dedicated years of service to their businesses.  By holding Founders Equity responsible, together we’re sending a clear message to all employers: uphold the law of the land, act responsibly to the individuals and families who worked for you, let human rights prevail over corporate greed.

In the words of one Colibri Workers for Rights and Justice leader:
“Our families won’t wait to eat. Our landlords won’t wait for rent. Our children won’t wait for medical care.”

Stop corporate greed. Take action now.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Justice For Colibri Workers

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am writing as a concerned Rhode Islander in support of the efforts of Colibri Workers for Rights and Justice. I understand that Founders Equity, a majority investor in the Colibri Group asked the Rhode Island Superior court to place the Colibri Group into receivership. The former Colibri workers are now facing this recession head-on and they deserve some relief.

In Rhode Island our unemployment rate is over 10%. Many of the Rhode Islanders working for Colibri Group had given the company 10, 20, 30, even 37 years of service.

Founders has an obligation to respond to Colibri Workers for Rights and Justice. I am asking you to respond to Colibri Workers for Rights and Justice by agreeing to negotiate with their elected leadership for 60 days pay, 60 days benefits and severance based on years worked.

I stand with the Colibri Workers because I believe that it's time that employers, investors and lenders alike take the responsibility for their actions.

During this economic crisis laid off workers can't wait for a lengthy court process. In the words of one leader of Colibri Workers for Rights and Justice, "Our families won't wait to eat. Our landlords won't wait for rent. Our children won't wait for medical care."

Please contact Colibri Workers for Rights and Justice immediately. You can reach Colibri Workers for Rights and Justice with your response at (401)725-2700.

Thank you for your prompt attention to the rights of Colibri Group's former employees.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
February 17, 2009


Background Information

The community knows what's happening at Colibri because Colibri workers got organized and they asked for our help. 

But how many Rhode Islanders and people across the region and the country are facing the same sort of plant closings, delays and denials in their benefits and compensation, and just accepting it as a matter of course during an economic crisis?

At RI Jobs with Justice we're committed to supporting Colibri Workers for Rights and Justice in fighting for respect and justice. We are also committed to putting employers on notice. 

Private Equity firms, investors, lenders and employers alike must be held accountable for the ways their decisions affect our communities.  280 new unemployed Rhode Islanders who were not given an opportunity to plan accordingly- this is a crisis for them and their families- and it deepens the crisis and strain our state is in.

Part of our fight back is also organizing together for passage of the Employee Free Choice Act, the strongest way we can build worker power & fight corporate greed in tough economic times. Please take a few seconds to add your name to an Employee Free Choice Act postcard right now.

Take action now to stand up for corporate accountability during this economic crisis.
You can see videos and press clippings from Colibri Workers for Rights and Justice recent actions at www.fuerza-laboral.org