Saturday, February 27, 2010
Feb. 27th, early afternoon--Solidarity with Rite Aid workers!
Stars and Gears will be outside of Rite Aid at 1400 Broadway in Oakland, distributing information on the struggle of ILWU warehouse workers in Lancaster, CA and asking them to sign postcards to Rite Aid's CEO.
Monday, February 22, 2010
EVENT: Feb 27th, Celebrate African American History
Celebrate African American History
with
Dinner & a Movie!
Soul food renderings – Bring a dish and tell about it!
Bring friends and family!
Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010, from 5 – 8 p.m.
Niebyl-Proctor Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave., Oakland
Suggested donation $5, no one turned away
Hosted by N. Calif. Communist Party USA
Information: (510) 251-1120 or ncalview@igc.org
The struggle for jobs, equality and peace continues!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Health care rally in SF
Stars and Gears were out at the rally for health care in SF. We handed out materials, signed stuff, and talked with people there.
There were somewhere between 50 and 100 people, with several speakers outlining how health care reform is desperately needed.
There was a doctor who talked about difficult hospital conditions.
There was an insurance industry worker who described the "death spiral" of rising premiums - premiums are increased to raise revenue, but this eventually causes people to drop their coverage, leading to increased premiums to compensate, etc. in a degenerate cycle.
There was a cancer survivor with a health care horror story. She had been successful in the corporate world, but diagnosis with cancer led her to loss of job, hence loss of insurance, and eventually, to financial ruin. She warned: "it can happen to you."
The speakers wanted Senate Democrats to use reconciliation protocol so that their majority would tell. They recognized that a more comprehensive and aggressive health care reform would be ideal, but saw the bill in congress as an important partial victory.
At the end the crowd chanted "what do we want? health care! when do we want it? now!"
Monday, February 15, 2010
Labor campaigns vs. NUMMI closure » peoplesworld
Labor campaigns vs. NUMMI closure » peoplesworld
By David Bester
FREMONT, Calif. - Labor and community allies are joining with workers at the New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. (NUMMI) plant as they and their union, United Auto Workers Local 2244, ratchet up pressure to keep the plant open despite Toyota's decision to shut it down in March.
NUMMI, begun as a Toyota-General Motors joint venture in 1984, employs about 4,700 UAW members and assures an estimated 50,000 more California jobs. Last year, after bankrupt GM pulled out, Toyota said it would close the plant. The workers and their allies, including elected officials, have campaigned against the closing ever since.
Many unions showed their support at a spirited rally Feb. 12 at union headquarters, across the street from the plant.
Local 2244 president Sergio Santos drew resounding applause when he told the crowd, "We want the company to review and reverse their decision to close our factory!" California Labor Federation head Art Pulaski got the hall chanting, "Stop your plan to close us down, don't be the bad guys in this town."
AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, snowed in on the East Coast, told the rally by video, "Toyota betrays American workers ... Toyota - do not kill American jobs." Calling Toyota the most popular car brand in California, Trumka drew cheers as he warned, "Toyota shouldn't think they can destroy our jobs and communities and then sell us their cars."
State Treasurer Bill Lockyer wondered out loud why, among Toyota's many plants, they chose to close the one with a unionized work force. Then he pounced: "That's why this is a national issue!"
Noting that Toyota used to be known for loyalty to its workers and for a quality product, UAW National Vice President Bob King said the new management has "lost its way," as shown by the closure, the safety recall, and the apologies of Mr. Toyota himself. "If they close the Fremont NUMMI facility," he thundered, "we will not buy another Toyota."
"We Teamsters know how to boycott," declared Rome Aloise, Western Vice President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. "We'll show you how to shut this company down... It's not too late to save this plant. We're with you!"
Since California is a big market for Toyota, the fightback was projected as both a boycott and public awareness-raising.
Foreshadowing coming actions at dealerships, Bargaining Chair Javier Contreras confidently predicted, "We're going to make ‘em call the corporation and say ‘why don't you get these guys outta my front yard?'"
The very next day, union members gathered at Toyota's dealership on Oakland's Oakport Street, holding banners reading, "Toyota-Lexus: A Danger to California," and "Toyota - Killing California Jobs. Theirs was among 14 boycott demonstrations at area dealerships.
"We're here to get the support of fellow Americans to keep that plant open," Javier Contreras Jr. said. He said the dealership had sold no cars that day, and told of getting a call saying "their manager's pretty upset right now." Earlier, police, summoned to dislodge the workers, determined they were on public land and had the right to stay.
Contreras Jr. said NUMMI workers had not been offered jobs at other Toyota plants. Everyone agreed that it was no accident that NUMMI, Toyota's only unionized plant, was being targeted for harsh treatment.
Communications Workers of America Local 9412 leaders Cookie Cameron and Keith Gibbs were out in support of their "brothers and sisters" at NUMMI. They related how the UAW supported them in their recent dispute with AT&T, and emphasized that everyone will lose if NUMMI is shuttered.
The UAW and its allies plan to demonstrate at dealerships every day.
Photo: David Bester Left to right: Keith Gibbs (CWA), Javier Contreras Jr. (UAW), Julie (CWA), Cookie Cameron (CWA).
By David Bester
FREMONT, Calif. - Labor and community allies are joining with workers at the New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. (NUMMI) plant as they and their union, United Auto Workers Local 2244, ratchet up pressure to keep the plant open despite Toyota's decision to shut it down in March.
NUMMI, begun as a Toyota-General Motors joint venture in 1984, employs about 4,700 UAW members and assures an estimated 50,000 more California jobs. Last year, after bankrupt GM pulled out, Toyota said it would close the plant. The workers and their allies, including elected officials, have campaigned against the closing ever since.
Many unions showed their support at a spirited rally Feb. 12 at union headquarters, across the street from the plant.
Local 2244 president Sergio Santos drew resounding applause when he told the crowd, "We want the company to review and reverse their decision to close our factory!" California Labor Federation head Art Pulaski got the hall chanting, "Stop your plan to close us down, don't be the bad guys in this town."
AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, snowed in on the East Coast, told the rally by video, "Toyota betrays American workers ... Toyota - do not kill American jobs." Calling Toyota the most popular car brand in California, Trumka drew cheers as he warned, "Toyota shouldn't think they can destroy our jobs and communities and then sell us their cars."
State Treasurer Bill Lockyer wondered out loud why, among Toyota's many plants, they chose to close the one with a unionized work force. Then he pounced: "That's why this is a national issue!"
Noting that Toyota used to be known for loyalty to its workers and for a quality product, UAW National Vice President Bob King said the new management has "lost its way," as shown by the closure, the safety recall, and the apologies of Mr. Toyota himself. "If they close the Fremont NUMMI facility," he thundered, "we will not buy another Toyota."
"We Teamsters know how to boycott," declared Rome Aloise, Western Vice President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. "We'll show you how to shut this company down... It's not too late to save this plant. We're with you!"
Since California is a big market for Toyota, the fightback was projected as both a boycott and public awareness-raising.
Foreshadowing coming actions at dealerships, Bargaining Chair Javier Contreras confidently predicted, "We're going to make ‘em call the corporation and say ‘why don't you get these guys outta my front yard?'"
The very next day, union members gathered at Toyota's dealership on Oakland's Oakport Street, holding banners reading, "Toyota-Lexus: A Danger to California," and "Toyota - Killing California Jobs. Theirs was among 14 boycott demonstrations at area dealerships.
"We're here to get the support of fellow Americans to keep that plant open," Javier Contreras Jr. said. He said the dealership had sold no cars that day, and told of getting a call saying "their manager's pretty upset right now." Earlier, police, summoned to dislodge the workers, determined they were on public land and had the right to stay.
Contreras Jr. said NUMMI workers had not been offered jobs at other Toyota plants. Everyone agreed that it was no accident that NUMMI, Toyota's only unionized plant, was being targeted for harsh treatment.
Communications Workers of America Local 9412 leaders Cookie Cameron and Keith Gibbs were out in support of their "brothers and sisters" at NUMMI. They related how the UAW supported them in their recent dispute with AT&T, and emphasized that everyone will lose if NUMMI is shuttered.
The UAW and its allies plan to demonstrate at dealerships every day.
Photo: David Bester Left to right: Keith Gibbs (CWA), Javier Contreras Jr. (UAW), Julie (CWA), Cookie Cameron (CWA).
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Health Care for America NOW! | Event | 40 Days/40 Nights to Health Reform - We voted for change. Get it done now. Get it done right!
Health Care for America NOW! | Event | 40 Days/40 Nights to Health Reform - We voted for change. Get it done now. Get it done right!
Rally to send Congress the message that we voted for change and they need to finish health reform now and finish it right.
Time: Wednesday, February 17 from 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Host: Patrick Romano
Location:
Justin Herman Plaza (San Francisco, CA)
1 Market St
San Francisco, CA 94101
Why rally?:
We voted for change in 2008. For more than a year we’ve mobilized to reform health care, rein in Wall Street, create good jobs, win workers' rights and beat back climate change. We’re fed up. We want the change we voted for and we want it now! Because if the insurance companies and big corporations win, we lose.
We’re rallying to send that message. Join us!
Rally to send Congress the message that we voted for change and they need to finish health reform now and finish it right.
Time: Wednesday, February 17 from 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Host: Patrick Romano
Location:
Justin Herman Plaza (San Francisco, CA)
1 Market St
San Francisco, CA 94101
Why rally?:
We voted for change in 2008. For more than a year we’ve mobilized to reform health care, rein in Wall Street, create good jobs, win workers' rights and beat back climate change. We’re fed up. We want the change we voted for and we want it now! Because if the insurance companies and big corporations win, we lose.
We’re rallying to send that message. Join us!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Alameda Labor Council, AFL-CIO - Oakland Airport screeners, UAW to rally with AFL-CIO President Trumka
AFL-CIO President Rich Trumka will be in the East Bay on Friday at two rallies.
Alameda Labor Council, AFL-CIO - Oakland Airport screeners to rally with AFL-CIO President Trumka
From AlamedaLabor.org:
"Stand up for organizing rights
Support Transportation Security Officers organizing with AFGE at Oakland Airport
Friday, February 12 - 1-2pm
Shuttle & carpool from ILWU Local 6, 99 Hegenberger Rd, beginning at 12:45 pm.
For this rally, you can park at the ILWU 6 hall."
and:
RALLY TO SAVE CALIFORNIA JOBS
Friday, February 12, 2010
2:45 p.m.
UAW Local 2244
45201 Fremont Blvd, Fremont, CA
AFL-CIO National President, Richard Trumka
California State Treasurer, Bill Lockyer
AFL-CIO California Labor Federation Chief Officer, Art Pulaski
UAW Vice President, Bob King
Alameda Labor Council, AFL-CIO - Oakland Airport screeners to rally with AFL-CIO President Trumka
From AlamedaLabor.org:
"Stand up for organizing rights
Support Transportation Security Officers organizing with AFGE at Oakland Airport
Friday, February 12 - 1-2pm
Shuttle & carpool from ILWU Local 6, 99 Hegenberger Rd, beginning at 12:45 pm.
For this rally, you can park at the ILWU 6 hall."
and:
RALLY TO SAVE CALIFORNIA JOBS
Friday, February 12, 2010
2:45 p.m.
UAW Local 2244
45201 Fremont Blvd, Fremont, CA
AFL-CIO National President, Richard Trumka
California State Treasurer, Bill Lockyer
AFL-CIO California Labor Federation Chief Officer, Art Pulaski
UAW Vice President, Bob King
Monday, February 1, 2010
Rite Aid workers fight for first contract » peoplesworld
Rite Aid workers fight for first contract » peoplesworld
Juan wrote this interesting article a couple of weeks ago about a union struggle that has been taking place in Lancaster, California for years. The ILWU has organized Rite Aid distribution workers and is fighting for a first contract against management who are acting in bad faith. While the ILWU mostly represents dock workers, this struggle gives a new dimension because you can't put up a picket line in the middle of the ocean but you can in front of a Rite Aid store. The YCL in Oakland is organizing in support of the Rite Aid distribution workers and we hope to show creative solidarity with these fellow workers.
Juan wrote this interesting article a couple of weeks ago about a union struggle that has been taking place in Lancaster, California for years. The ILWU has organized Rite Aid distribution workers and is fighting for a first contract against management who are acting in bad faith. While the ILWU mostly represents dock workers, this struggle gives a new dimension because you can't put up a picket line in the middle of the ocean but you can in front of a Rite Aid store. The YCL in Oakland is organizing in support of the Rite Aid distribution workers and we hope to show creative solidarity with these fellow workers.
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