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Don't Let New Era Lay Off 20 More Workers!
Greetings,
Earlier this year, in response to low wages, unsafe working
conditions, and racial discrimination, workers at the New Era
plant in Mobile, Alabama attempted to organize a union.
Management responded with an intense anti-union campaign that
culminated in the firing of more than 20 workers. As if this
weren't enough, New Era has just announced that they plan to
permanently lay off 20 more workers right before the holiday
season. Fax New Era today and let them know what you think about
firing workers for forming a union!
Send a letter to the following decision maker(s):
New Era Chris Koch
Below is the sample letter:
Subject: No More Layoffs!
Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],
I was shocked to hear today that New Era Cap plans to permanently lay off 20 workers from its Mobile Distribution Center.
As you know, the holiday season is approaching and these workers rely on New Era Cap for their livelihood. Throwing these workers onto the street is certainly not a way to show that New Era cares about its employees.
I have been informed by workers that though there has been a slow season in years past during this time of year, New Era Cap has never before laid off workers in such a manner. It is curious that this is happening right now, considering that New Era Cap workers have finally stood up for their human rights and formed a union this spring.
Students, community organizations, civil rights groups and churches have rallied behind the New Era workers to hold your company accountable and we will not stop now.
I urge you to not go ahead with your planned layoffs, that you rehire all of the New Era workers that have been terminated during the union campaign, and ensure that all New Era workers have the right to union activity without fear of holiday lay offs, discrimination, or intimidation.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
cc:
Foot Locker
Hatworld .
Major League Baseball
Modell's .
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What's At Stake:
TELL NEW ERA CAP: PLAY FAIR. STOP THE HOLIDAY LAYOFFS.
In retaliation for workers' desire to choose a union in order to end racial discrimination and improve poverty-level wages at New Era's Mobile plant, New Era is terminating scores of Mobile workers. On Monday, November 19, New Era Cap Company Inc. will announce their decision to lay off 35 permanent employees at their Mobile Distribution Center. Out of the 35 to be laid off, only 15 will be called back to work.
This kind of layoff is unprecedented at the Mobile facility, and comes in the midst of a critical labor dispute between New Era Cap and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
In Spring 2007, in an effort to address the glaring problems of low wages, racial discrimination and forced overtime they faced, New Era Cap workers at the Mobile facility turned to Teamsters Local 991 to organize a union In response, New Era Cap launched a vicious anti-union campaign of systematic worker intimidation by the company, including anti-union meetings and anti-union literature. The NLRB is now investigating charges that the company illegally interrogated, intimidated, and terminated workers during the union?s organizing campaign. During the course of the organizing campaign, New Era Cap terminated more than 20 workers.
Over the past several months, Teamsters, students, faith-based, and community organizations have come together to support New Era workers in a public effort to hold New Era accountable.
Now, on the eve of the holiday season, New Era Cap plans to permanently lay off 20 more workers.
Felicia Walker, a union leader who was terminated during the union organizing campaign, said:
"I consider this to be a major disappointment coming from a company that puts emphasis on being family-owned and operated. They claim to have this high concern for their employees and have expressed to the media that they treat employees very well. Where is this concern and good treatment now?
How do you as a parent explain to your child that their Thanksgiving dinner may be limited and that they may not have a Christmas at all because you no longer have a job?
What I find ironic about the situation is the fact that New Era claims to be attempting to bargain in good faith but everything that they have done from May until now is everything but just. It saddens me to think that a company who claims that they are trying to keep products American-made is not treating its own workers like human beings.
I feel that this is just another one of New Era's attempts to deceive the public while continually mistreating the people who work diligently at making the company a success. I just pray that they will be able to rest peacefully this holiday season, knowing that they have taken away the livelihood of many people.
We are asking all people of good conscience to contact New Era Cap and tell them that the global community will not stand for New Era's vicious and retaliatory lay offs."
Call Chris Koch- Global Vice President of Human Resources
office: 716-604-9000,
If you are interested in donating money for an emergency holiday fund for New Era Workers please contact Jim Gookins, Secretary Treasurer of Teamsters Local 991 at gookins33@hotmail.com
Campaign Expiration Date:
December 15, 2007
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