SF Chinese Hospital Nurses Strike

 

By Mike Elk

PayDay Report

Chinese Hospital Nurses to Strike in SF

At Chinese Hospital in San Francisco, over 100 nurses have gone on strike over poor working conditions. 

“For the past year, we’ve given Chinese Hospital numerous proposals aimed at improving staffing, patient care, and retention of nurses for our patients and our community,” Sherry Yee, RN, told KRON. “Instead, the hospital administration has failed to create a better working environment that allows us to provide proper care for our patients to the best of our ability.”

For more, check out KRON. 

Movement for Peoples' Democracy Participates in WFTU Webinar on Palestine

WFTU (World Federation of Trade Unions) sponsored a webinar on , with over 150 attendees representing Palestine, Europe, South America, the USA, Northern Africa, India, and more. Most were WFTU officials who spoke for their organizations. WFTU was founded in 1945 and has been in Solidarity with Palestine since 1948!! (73 years of struggle) WFTU has advocated for a free and independent Palestine for decades.

The latest news as of this morning - 212 dead, which includes 61 children. Over a thousand wounded and over 10,000 forced from their homes (they have taken shelter in UN schools). Their water supply has been damaged, and they are running out of medical supplies and food.
In addition, the USA proposes to ship approximately $735 million dollars worth of armaments during this genocidal attack on Palestine because "Israel was running low on their inventory".
Comrades and friends, as Americans,if we sit idly by, and the capitalists succeed, who will they attack next? This may be the tipping point that determines our future for the next hundred years. One Palestinian speaker told us that Israel wishes to push out all the inhabitants of Palestine, thereby making a whole people refugees: stateless, and with no place to live. He said that Palestinians will live or die in Palestine. They will not leave. Palestine is their home.

PAME Intervention WFTU Meeting of Solidarity with Palestine May 18, 2021

 

Dear comrades of WFTU:

Our brothers in heroic Palestine:

On behalf of the class unions of Greece, PAME we send our solidarity, our support, our friendship and our heart to the workers and the people of Palestine. We welcome today's initiative of the WFTU which gives us the opportunity to unite our voices, the militant unions of the world, and to shout together "FREE PALESTINE - STOP THE IMPERIALIST CRIME!" 

Dear comrades,we agree with the WFTU proposals and in order not to repeat things that have already been said, nor to take the time from other speakers, we will note only two - three thoughts. First of all, let us inform you that on Sunday a large anti-imperialist rally took place in Athens in front of the Embassy of Israel and the USA, with which the people of Athens, the associations and the unions, condemned the crime of Israel and demanded an end to this massacre.

Similar rallies are held in all cities of Greece and will continue. Also, today PAME delivered to the Ambassador of Palestine in Greece, a joint resolution of almost 200 Greek unions expressing their support for the just demands of the Palestinians and demanding that the Greek Government stop all cooperation with the murderer-state of Israel and move forward in the recognition of the Palestinian state. And here comrades we want to make our second comment. 

Greek governments, members of the European Union, have for so many years always spoken sympathetically of Palestine. At the same time, however, the pilots of the Israeli air force that are bombing Palestine are being trained in Greece.The EU, respectively, speaks with sympathy for Palestine. Some officials may even shed tears in front of the cameras. They will say it many times over and over again. Stop the violence. But this is pure hypocrisy. They speak of violence, equating Israel illegally occupying Palestinian land and in the last week alone its bombers have killed 50 young children. How do you equate a small child with a slingshot that protects his home against a fighter jet bombing hiscountry? 

When international organizations talk about equal distances, generally about neutrality or a general condemnation of violence, they are essentially supporting Israel, giving an alibi to the violence of the occupation and condemning the struggle against the occupation. And here let us note that the same position with the EU, is repeated by and ITUC. ITUC published a statement of so-called solidarity in Palestine entitled "Violence in Israel and Palestine must stop", denouncing the violence on both sides, while at the same time holding the Israeli HISTADRUT in its arms. On the other hand, the ETUC has not made even half a statement about the developments in Palestine for the past two weeks. 

Their attitude proves once again that these forces are dangerous for workers. They are mechanisms of the big monopolies and imperialist centers to promote the positions and plans of the imperialists to the workers and as such they must be revealed and isolated from the militant unions. It should be noted that at the same time the militant unions of Europe, the members of the WFTU, took to the streets in solidarity with Palestine in France, Spain, Turkey, in Italy in Livorno stopped the loading of a ship that was taking arms to Israel. 

We are doing what we can to show that the Palestinians are not alone, even in these difficult circumstances. To stop the governments that support the killing machine of Israel. To reveal to the workers of our countries that the monopolies, the imperialists, for the control of the trade routes, for the sources of materials, for the spheres of influence are changing the borders with the blood of the peoples. 

They are killing whole peoples for US-NATO-EU interests in the region. We will not be silent. We remain on the side of the heroic people of Palestine with new initiatives and actions, with new militant mobilizations.Against the imperialists, against USNATO-EU-Israel to stop their crime 

Long live Solidarity! 

Long live Palestine!

Venezuela & ALBA News 5.14.2021 Venezuela Stands with Palestinian and Colombian people

 

May 14, 2021

Video: Hugo Chávez on Israeli terrorism and genocide against Palestinians

Venezuela Ministry of Foreign Relations: Venezuela condemns the new violent actions committed by Israel against the Palestinian people The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela expresses its most firm condemnation of the new violent and unjustifiable actions committed against the brotherly Palestinian people by the State of Israel, which include the application of forced displacements of legitimate inhabitants of the Sheikh Jarrah community, as well as the inhumane execution of indiscriminate bombings against the civilian population. These events constitute a severe violation of the human rights of the Palestinian population and have increased precisely during the Holy Month of Ramadan. The world must demand the end of this new phase of Zionist violence against the Palestinian people, as well as the commitment of the actors on the ground with a cessation of hostilities, the protection of human rights and the guarantee of inviolability of the saints. sacred places for the Muslim and Christian communities.

Ultima Noticias: National Assembly solidarity with the Colombian people The Assembly denounced the agents of the Colombian police and the Mobile Anti-Riot Squad (Esmad) for the destruction, with the aim of reducing the strength of the popular demonstration. Freddy Bernal made a presentation of the betrayals, murders and poverty that the Colombian people live before a government incapable of protecting and guaranteeing a quality of life for its citizens. “ECLAC, in its latest report, indicated that Colombia has 34.1% poverty. 21 million Colombians are in poverty, but also 4.3% of the critical poverty that represents 7 million…

It produces 951 metric tons of cocaine, 76% of the narcotic on planet earth, according to information from the US federal agency…From the year 85 to the present there are a total of 9 million victims among the dead, disappeared and displaced.”

Ultima Noticias: Delcy Rodríguez: Colombia is a failed imperial project “Colombia is a failed imperial project that has condemned its people to the worst crisis ever seen: the world’s leading drug producer, excluded from the country’s political life and unable to express themselves freely! Venezuela will always be an example for Bolívar’s children! ”

Mision Verdad: Colombia as Imperial Beachhead: The War of the Colombian Oligarchy and Duque against Venezuela One year after it sought to invade Venezuela and capture President Nicolás Maduro with Operation Gideon, the Colombian government continues to participate in conspiracies planned in Washington to bring about regime change in Caracas. To review the most threatening events in the political life of Venezuela involving the Colombian oligarchy: Drone attack on President Maduro, battle of the bridges, Operation Gideon, war front in Apure.

The Grayzone: USAID admits to Venezuela regime change fraud

an internal USAID report admitting the agency’s policy on Venezuela was driven by the State Department and National Security Council’s push for regime change.The report specifically investigated USAID’s attempt to use the US military to force aid through Venezuela’s border with Colombia on February 23, 2019.

Resumen Latinoamericano:  US Government Report Documents US Responsibility for Venezuela’s Humanitarian Dilemma The Congressional Research Service report concludes:

“The failure to dislodge Maduro from power demonstrated the limits of US and other international efforts to prompt political change in Venezuela. Unilateral US policies, such as oil sanctions, arguably worsened the humanitarian crisis in the country and caused divisions within the international coalition that once backed Guaidó.” In other words, despite inhumane sanctions by the US and its allies, the Bolivarian Revolution has endured because of its popular support.

Orinoco Tribune: President Maduro Criticizes Officials who end up Becoming ‘Little Kings’ All public servants, elected by vote or designated by the president of the Republic, must govern in response to the needs of the people and not become “little kings,” said Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. He stressed that any model in which the leaders do not know where the people who think and propose are, is simply another bourgeois government. In response to a complaint of a worker spokeswoman about the need for managers to take the workers into account, the president reiterated that the workers must be part of the boards of directors in all nationalized enterprises.

CWA Activists Build Support for the PRO Act

CWA activists from across the Southeast teamed up this week to call voters to share information about the PRO Act and ask them to contact Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Richard Burr (R-N.C.) about the bill. The PRO Act will make it easier for workers to join unions, shift power away from CEOs to workers, and give us more leverage in contract negotiations. Make sure your Senators know you want them to support the bill by calling them at 877-750-7411.

Solidaridad con los Trabajadores de Colombia

 

PAME, miembro de la FSM, expresa su firme solidaridad con los trabajadores y el pueblo de Colombia que luchan contra a las políticas antilaborales y la represión y continúan con nuevas movilizaciones el 19 de mayo. 

 Según los últimos datos publicadas por los sindicatos colombianos, las fuerzas respresivas han matado recientemente a unos 50 manifestantes, han herido a más de 1.600 y han realizado más de mil detenciones. Este situación ha sido envidiada por la Unión Europea y los gobiernos europeos, que intensifican la violencia y la represión contra los trabajadores, criminalizan las manifestaciones y movilizaciones y abolen los derechos y libertades sindicales, como el dderecho a huelga. 

 Los gobiernos del capital en todo el mundo, adoptan medidas para proteger la competitividad y la rentabilidad de los grandes grupos empresariales. El ataque a los derechos laborales va junto de la escalada de la represión y el autoritarismo. 

 Frente a la violencia y la represión patronal - estatal, los trabajadores tienen las armas de la organización, de la lucha colectiva, de clases y de la solidaridad internacional. 

 PAME expresa su solidaridad con la lucha de los trabajadores de Colombia. 

 Atenas, 18.5.21

OBSERVE 26th MAY, 2021 as a BLACK DAY for INDIAN DEMOCRACY

Press Statement for Favour of Publication  

The following statement was issued by the joint platform of Central Trade Unions today on    20^th May 2021  

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) has given a call to observe 26^th may, 2021 as a Black Day for Indian Democracy. That is the day Narendra Modi Government took oath of office in 2014 and then again on 30^th May in 2019. 26^th May is the day when the Chalo Dilli Kisan Andolan completes 6 months. It is also the day when the All India Strike called by the Central Trade Unions on their continued demands for cash transfer to poor families, universally free rations to all needy, expansion of MGNREGA and new employment scheme for urban areas, against privatisation of PSUs and government departments, for scraping NPS and restoration of earlier pension scheme etc., becomes 6 month old.

The call to observe that day as a Black Day is because the Modi Government that has been in office continuously for the past seven years has not only failed to deliver on the tall promises made while assuming office, but is actually acting against the wishes of the toiling people with impunity, it is acting in a blatantly irresponsible manner in the face of the terrible second wave of the Corona pandemic, all on the basis of a brute majority in the Lok Sabha.

• It has simply disowned its responsibility in tackling the Corona pandemic and asked the States to provide the medical help to the bewildered population: shortages of vaccine doses, oxygen, hospital beds, even cremation facilities are alarming, with irresponsible announcements of vaccinating 18-44 age group, only to be withdrawn subsequently, shows that the Government is completely in the dark about what needs to be done in this hour of grave crisis. There is criminal negligence on the part of Government towards front line fighters of this dreaded virus.  

 • The Government is actually using the pandemic period to push through legislations that are tailored only for the benefit of the Corporates, be it the three Farm Laws or the 4 Labour Codes or privatisation of everything in the Government or Public Sector such as railways, port and dock assets, coal where more than 500 blocks were identified to be auctioned more than 40 were auctioned out of which 39 went to adani, medanta etc. 6 airports were sold on throw away prices to private players. All production units in defence and railways to be corporatized, banks, insurance and even retail opened to foreign direct investement, BPCL, MTNL, Steel, mineral mines and several other public sector undertakings on radar. NITI Aayog has identified 100 such undertakings to be monetized, a new term coined for privatisation/sale of these undertakings.

• It is the toiling people in the unorganised sector, including migrant workers, who need life saving support in terms of food grains, cash subsidy and employment. It is the duty of the Government to mobilise resources for this gigantic task: using FCI stocks, taxing the rich, insuring front-line fighter, providing funds for MGREGA, bringing in similar employment guarantee scheme for urban areas and so on. The Government has become paralytic on all these fronts.

• The Government is passing laws that nobody has demanded, be it Farm Laws, Labour Codes, CAA, New Education Policy, persuing blancket privatisation policy and so on, while refusing to concede any popular demands such as enactment of a law guaranteeing Minimum Support Price for the Farm Produce, bringing Petrol/Diesel under the GST regime, etc.

• While the Government has no funds to tackle Covid pandemic, it is shamelessly going ahead with "Central Vista Project", costing Rs.20000 Cr, supposedly to rebuild a new Parliament Building, floating non-transparent funds such as PMCARES, Electoral Bonds, while, in practice behaving in the most undemocratic way – for example, arresting anyone for criticising the Government, refusing to hold tripartite consultations, blatantly using Constitutional Agencies to frighten and browbeat any opposition, as seen from the use of CBI, ED, NIA, Supreme Court, RBI, Election Commission, State Governors against political opponents, engineering defections and undermining elected state governments with the use of money power and use of these Agencies.

This list can be added to. It is time to call a spade a spade. We begin by observing 26^th May as the Black Day for Indian Democracy, wearing black badges, putting up black flags.

We resolve on this day, not to rest till we achieve our demands, not to rest till a message is driven home that the toiling people will not remain passive bystanders, watching the Modi Government do as they please.                                                  We demand:

1.       Free vaccine for all,

2.       Strengthen the Government run Public Health System at all levels,   

3.       Immediate help to all unorganized/informal sector workers and unemployed people in terms of free food grains and cash subsidy of Rs.7500/- per month,

4.       Repeal 3 Farm Laws, withdraw Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2021, enact law guaranteeing Minimum Support Price of farm produce,

5.       Withdraw 4 Labour Codes along with draft central rules and convene Indian Labour Conference immediately,

6.       Put a stop to policy of privatisation/corporatization of PSUs and Government departments,

7.       Withdraw all arbitrary suspension of 38 labor laws for a period of 3 years by the states ruled by BJP and its allies openly violating the international labor standards i:e freedom of association convention 87, violation of collective bargaining convention 98, convention 144 tripartite meeting and consultations etc.

All the affiliates of 10 central trade unions and all likeminded free independent unions/federations be ready for indefinite direct action in future. Mobilize the rank and file of the unions and the people, update them about anti labor, anti farmer, anti people, anti national policies of the Central Government of India.

                                        

            INTUC                               AITUC                             HMS                              CITU                                 AIUTUC

              

               TUCC                        SEWA                                AICCTU                               LPF                             UTUC

                                                             And Independent Sectoral Federations/Associations 

Resolution of the Trade Unions of Greece: STOP NOW the Imperialist Crime against the People of Palestine

 

More than 100 trade union organizations from all sectors and regions of Greece have signed a common resolution of solidarity with the People of Palestine demanding to STOP NOW the imperialist Crime.

The resolution states:

The Trade Unions of Greece raise their voices and stand by the heroic people of Palestine who are confronted with the murderous policy and barbarity of Israel. We cannot remain silent and inactive in the face of this crime. 

73 years since May 15, 1948, the Nakba Disaster, when 415 Palestinian villages were completely destroyed after the Israeli invasion, more than 10,000 Palestinians were killed and tens of thousands were injured, and 760,000 Palestinians were forcibly displaced to end up refugees in the surrounding areas. 

The Palestinian people are experiencing a new catastrophe. The state-murderer of Israel, using the open support and tolerance of the US-NATO-EU and Governments -as those of Greece all these years- escalates its aggression, settlements, expulsions of Palestinians, violence, bombings and even killings of young children, while threatening a new invasion in Gaza and new bloodshed. The developments and aggression of Israel are stepping on the dangerous plans and rivalries of the monopolies. 

The recognition of the American-inspired so-called "Israeli right to selfdefense" is an acceptance of the illegal occupation of Palestine and the occupier's violence against a people who are fighting for their freedom. 

The workers, the unions of Greece that we sign this Document we denounce the continuing crime against the Palestinian people. We denounce and demand the cessation of all cooperation and support of the Greek Governments with the murderous state.

 The Government of Greece to proceed NOW with the implementation of the decision of the Greek Parliament of December 2015 for the recognition of the Palestinian state. 

STOP NOW all Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people. We strengthen Solidarity with the Palestinian people for the creation of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital on the 1967 borders Stop the crime, for the people to live peacefully in their homes.

The Regional Trade Union Centers of 

 Thebes 

Thesprotia 

Samos 

Patras 

Arta 

Kefalonia -

 Ithaca 

Northern Dodecanese 

 Lesvos 

Zakynthos 

 Lamia 

Lefkada - Vonitsa 

Larissa

 The National Federations

 Special Education Workers

 Federation of Accountants

 Press and Paper Industry

 Milk Food and Beverages 

Federation of Textile - Clothing - Leather Workers of Greece 

Federation of Pharmaceutical of Greece 

Federation of Builders & Related Professions of Greece

 Federation of Pensioners of Greece

 IKA & ETM 

Federation of OAEE Pensioners 

The full list of signatures in PAME’s website:

Πανεργατικό Αγωνιστικό Μέτωπο (Π.Α.ΜΕ.) (pamehellas.gr)

Former Debenhams workers stage sit-down protest in Limerick, Ireland

 

18/05/2021 | 11:44 AM

DAVID RALEIGH

A bid by liquidators to have stock removed from the former Debenhams store in Limerick city failed on Monday night, after about 100 ex-staff and supporters staged a sit-down protest at the premises over their claim for redundancy from the ailing company.

Many uniformed gardaí kept a watching brief as members of the Garda Public Order Unit forcibly removed protesters away from entrance gates to the building’s delivery depot.

However, protesters then laid down on the road to stop trucks entering the site.

Ex-Debenhams staff have been picketing outside the building for the past 400 days, conducting a blockade at entry points to try to prevent liquidators from removing stock, as an attempt at leverage behind their demand for fair compensation.

Debenhams closed its 11 Irish stores in April last year amid the first Covid lockdown, resulting in the loss of around 2,000 jobs.

The ex-workers, who have received only their statutory entitlements from their social insurance, claim they were laid off by email, with no notice and no redundancy after decades of service in many cases.

They claim the UK-based retailer broke the terms of a 2016 agreement to pay workers two weeks’ statutory redundancy plus two weeks ex-gratia, per year of service, in the event of redundancy.

“At around midnight gardaí started to block off the roads approaching Debenhams, including access to O'Connell Street and Liddy Street. Workers refused to move when instructed and dozens of gardaí from the Public Order Unit were used to remove workers one by one,” said a spokesperson for the Solidarity party.

“However, when the first truck approached the junction of William St and Henry St and attempted to gain access to the entrances to the loading bay, workers and supporters lay down in front of it. After another stand off between approximately 100 workers and supporters and 70 gardaí, the trucks eventually retreated, and as gardaí started to pack up crash barriers to leave the demonstrators sang 'Limerick, You're A Lady' in celebration.”

ONLINE EVENT: Venezuela: End Sanctions, Give Back the Gold

 

Wednesday June 2, 6.30pm.

Register here // Share & invite here // Retweet here.

 

• With guests from Venezuela, including Fravia Márquez, adviser to the Vice-Presidency of the National Assembly of Venezuela & Chargé affairs of Venezuela in Jamaica
• Mark Weisbrot, co author of Economic Sanctions as Collective Punishment: The Case of Venezuela
• Colin Burgon, Labour Friends of Progressive Latin America
• Francisco Dominguez, Head of the Latin American Studies Research Group at Middlesex University
• Luke Daniels, Caribbean Labour Solidarity
• Susan Grey, Venezuela Solidarity Campaign 
• Chair: Suzie Gilbert, Co-producer, South of the Border.

 
Online public meeting on the urgent need to end sanctions and allow Venezuela to fund its fight against COVID-19.

Organised by Venezuela Solidarity Campaign. Supported by Labour Friends of Progressive Latin America.

SCOTTURB: Date of strike changed

 

Published on Monday, May 17th 2021 11:44

The date of the strike at SCOTTURB, initially announced for May 24th, was changed to May 31st, starting at 03h00m.

This change is due to the fact that right after the plenary meeting and before the delivery of the strike notice, STRUP/FECTRANS was contacted by a representative of the SCOTTUURB management, and was asked to analyze the issues discussed by the workers.

With this opening for dialogue, it was understood that in defense of the interests of the workers, it would be better to wait for the development of the discussion, which continues, and at this moment we are waiting for a proposal to be made for the resolution of the overdue credits.

With this change, we give more time to the management to work on solutions, without this way failing to carry out the decisions made by the workers' plenary, in case during this time the final answers do not exist, or are not in accordance with the workers' aspirations.

However, before the strike date and in due time, we will hold another plenary meeting with the workers to take stock of the situation.

LÍNGUA ORIGINAL PORTUGUESA

A data da greve na SCOTTURB, inicialmente anunciada para dia 24 de Maio, foi alterada para o dia 31 de Maio, com início às 03h00m.

Esta alteração deve-se ao facto de logo após a realização do plenário e antes da entrega do pré-aviso de greve, o STRUP/FECTRANS ter sido contactado por um representante da gerência da SCOTUURB, tendo ficado em analisar as questões discutidas pelos trabalhadores.

Com esta abertura para o diálogo, entendeu-se que na defesa dos interesses dos trabalhadores, seria melhor aguardar o desenvolvimento da discussão, que continua, aguardando-se neste momento que se concretize uma proposta para a resolução dos créditos vencidos.

Com esta alteração damos mais tempo à gerência para trabalhar as soluções, sem com isso deixarmos de executar as decisões do plenário de trabalhadores, caso neste espaço de tempo as respostas finais não existam, ou não sejam de acordo com as aspirações dos trabalhadores.

No entanto, antes da data da greve e, em tempo oportuno, faremos um novo plenário com os trabalhadores para se fazer o ponto de situação.

On the occasion of Nakba Day, May 15 2021, the WFTU demands: STOP NOW the Israeli barbarism against the People of Palestine

 

Every year the Palestinian People commemorate the killing of 15.000 Palestinians on May 15, 1948 and the displacement of 750.000 others during that period, by the state of Israel (Nakba Day).

This year the 73th occasion of Nakba Day is marked by Israel’s raid against the Palestinians in Gaza Strip, where more than 120 Palestinians are murdered and 850 are injured by Israeli air strikes, while Israel has deployed ground forces near the Israeli frontier. In the framework of international Campaign of support to the People of Palestine by the world´s working class, we organize an International Meeting of Solidarity with Palestine on 18 May, 2021.

The Israeli incursion followed brutal attacks against Palestinians at Al-Aqsa Mosque area and the efforts to displace Palestinian families from their houses in East Jerusalem.

The World Federation of Trade Unions, on behalf of its the 105 million members in 133 countries around the world, once again condemns the Israeli barbarism and hypocrisy of the US, NATO and European Union who equalize the perpetrators with the victims.

We call upon the world militant trade union movement to express their solidarity with Palestine in every possible way and the international organizations to immediately intervene against the Israeli barbarism.

The WFTU stably stands by the side of our Palestinian brothers and sisters, for the end of the massacre by Israel, for the recognition of their independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, the return of Palestinian refugees to their homeland and the liberation of all Palestinian political prisoners from Israeli jails.

STOP now the imperialist crimes of Israel!

Hands-off Palestine!

 

The Secretariat

TAKE ACTION: Expand Access to Vaccines

 

California has distributed over 32 million vaccines with almost 50% of residents receiving at least one dose. While these numbers are encouraging, we know that we need more people to get vaccinated. But getting a vaccine isn’t as easy as it sounds. Many frontline workers can’t afford to take the time off to wait in line to receive a vaccine. Workers shouldn’t have to choose between making ends meet or getting vaccinated.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is set to vote on a critical policy next week to support frontline workers by providing employee paid leave for workers taking time off to get the COVID-19 vaccine. We need your help!

TAKE ACTION: Submit Public Comment

You can submit a public comment through the LA County Board of Supervisors online portal. It only takes 1 minute to show your support.

Click here to submit a public comment.

1. Fill out your first and last name.
2. Click on item 8
3. Click the “in favor” bubble for each item.
   • A box for comments will appear underneath once you click the number.
4. Copy and paste the below comment into the comment box.
5. Enter the visual code at the bottom of the page and then click “next”.
6. Authorize your answer.
7. Follow the prompts once finished.

Sample Public Comment :

Item 8 (Expanding Vaccine Access through Employee Paid Leave)

My name is [insert name] and I'm with [insert your organization, union, or business]. I live and work in Los Angeles County.

Los Angeles County has distributed over 8 million vaccines with almost 50% of residents receiving at least one dose. While these numbers are encouraging, we know that we need more people to get vaccinated. But getting a vaccine isn’t as simple as it sounds. Many frontline workers can’t afford to take the time off to wait in line to receive a vaccine. Workers shouldn’t have to choose between making ends meet and getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

I urge the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to support working families by expanding vaccine access through employee paid leave.

USB supports the Colombian people

USB supports the Colombian people on general strike since last Friday against the planned tax reform of the right-wing government of Iván Duque that hits hard the population and the poorer classes, increasing VAT and taxes on low and middle incomes.

On Saturday Duque had decreed the militarization of the cities, with the military and police ready to use weapons against protesters prologue to the terrible balance that yesterday spoke of 27 dead, many injured, over 700 arrested.

The protests, however, have not stopped and continue with marches and massive mobilizations, despite the fact that the reform has been withdrawn and Duque a few hours ago announced the appointment of a new Finance Minister to replace Alberto Carrasquilla, who resigned because of the protests.

The USB stands by the people and workers of Colombia in their ongoing struggle against poverty, repression and capitalist exploitation.

Your struggle is our struggle!

USW Slams ExxonMobil Decision to Lock Out Workers in Beaumont, Texas

 https://youtu.be/hcJ5LUWVreU

 ExxonMobil locked out our sisters and brothers in Beaumont, Texas on May 1, a decision that was unnecessary and malicious. Our members worked hard over the past 16 months – during the pandemic and through natural disasters – to safely maintain and operate the facility, only to be rewarded for their sacrifice by a door slammed in their faces.

Nevertheless, they remain committed to negotiating a fair contract that protects their safety, security and seniority. ExxonMobil’s blatant attempts to divide and conquer will fail because our members and our solidarity remain as strong as ever.

Many of you have reached out about supporting Local 13-243. Please contact Hoot Landry rlandry@usw.org or Bryan Gross bgross@usw.org for ways to do so.

Line 5 fight continues

I also want to update you on our work to keep Enbridge Line 5 operational. Members of Local 912 in Toledo have been working tirelessly to bring attention to the consequences of a potential Line 5 disruption and the need for the replacement line.

This included testifying in the Ohio House of Representatives, which on March 25 passed a resolution urging the continued operation of the line. USW members will also testify in the Michigan legislature and participate in an action outside the Michigan state capitol on May 11.

These union brothers and sisters also need your help. Please sign the petition to show support for our members at USW Local 912. You can also visit our website for more information.

Safety incident at Galveston Bay Refinery

Two members of Local 13-1 received medical attention after a May 4 chemical leak at Marathon’s Galveston Bay Refinery in Texas City, Texas. The leak, which involved an alkylation unit, also resulted in a shelter-in-place order in the area surrounding the refinery.  

Finally, Shell announced this week that it reached a deal with HollyFrontier over the sale of its Puget Sound Refinery in Anacortes, Wash. The transaction is expected to close in the final quarter of this year. We will keep you posted as we learn more.

Stay safe – and once again, please lend our fellow USW members your support during these difficult times.

Mike Smith
NOBP Chair
mjsmith@usw.org

Port Strike! L.A. UNION Stands with Teamsters Local 848

 

                                                        PHOTO: Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO

On April 14, 2021, the L.A. UNION movement joined our Teamsters sisters and brothers on the picket line for their #PortStrike. Universal’s subsidiary fired the same port drivers they call essential soon after they voted for a union and moved all the work to locations where the company uses “independent contractors.” Labor history was made when members of ILWU walked off the job in solidarity with the striking Teamster port truck drivers to hold Universal accountable for actively breaking the law and stealing the wages and rights of those misclassified drivers.