News
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The Mainline for Mar/Apr 2012 263KB
The Mainline for Jan/Feb 2012 119KB
Many of you have been following developments of the Longshoremen's struggle to preserve their jurisdiction of the West Coast port terminal work. In Longview, Wa. the multinational EGT has been trying to break this juridiction, first by highering scab labor to do the work of ILWU local 21, then by negotiating a seriously flawed and concessionary contract mediated by the Govenor of Washington. You can read an analysis in the Maritime Worker Monitor here. Also, 444 has sent letters to the Colitz County prosecutor with copies to the Governor defending the heroic efforts of the rank and file ILWU 21 workers who are being charged with various crimes for defending their work. We urge the prosecutor to drop all charges.
April 21, 2011
Richard Mead
President ILWU Local 10
400 North Point Street
San Francisco, CA 94133
Dear Brother Mead,
At our general monthly meeting tonight, our members by unanimous vote directed me to convey to ILWU Local 10 our sincerest thank you for the solidarity your members demonstrated on April 4, 2011. Your support of all public workers is appreciated beyond words. We also endorsed the San Francisco Labor Council Resolution that was adopted April 11, 2011. Which defends the actions of ILWU Local 10.
Although we are a Union of less then 670 members we stand ready to support ILWU Local 10 in any way we can. Vicious attacks by the antiunion establishments will not go unanswered. ILWU Local 10 and our brother and sisters in Wisconsin have proudly shown all Union members what we are capable of doing and have inspired us all to action. An injury to one is an injury to all.
In Solidarity,
Ruben Rodriquez
President AFSCME
Local 444
444 Brothers & Sisters:
WHEREAS California public education from pre-kindergarten through college and adult ed, is facing its most serious crisis in years; with funding cuts, tuition increases, reduction of college seats available, furlough days for teachers and support staff, and layoffs of employees and outright closures of entire departments; and
WHEREAS unemployment in California has risen to 12.5% and is closer to 25% among youth and even higher among young people of color;
WHEREAS 1.6 million construction jobs have been lost since this recession began with 136,000 construction jobs lost in California this past year and 322,000 public service jobs have been lost in the last four years: and
WHEREAS more job losses are expected as stimulus money dries up; and
WHEREAS 1 in 53 housing units received a foreclosure notice in the California during the third quarter of 2009 as people are being thrown out of their homes as well as their jobs; and
WHEREAS this is occurring as trillions of dollars of taxpayer’s money has been handed to bankers and other financial institutions in the wake of the current crisis, much of it unaccounted for; and
WHEREAS thousands of students at the University of California facing 32% increases in fees and increasing privatization of education, joined striking university employees on September 24th; and
Whereas; following these events a hugely successful conference was held at UC Berkeley on October 24th attended by 800 students, workers and supporters; and
RESOLVED that AFSCME Local 444 recognizes that without united action no single group or one Union can reverse this offensive ; and be it further
RESOLVED that the 1,200 AFL-CIO and Change to Win unions in the California Labor Federation representing 2.1 million union members in such crucial industries as shipping, retail, manufacturing, public service and communications have tremendous potential power; and be it further
RESOLVED that through a united mobilization of all workers and students regardless of status we can win free federally funded education at all levels, increased jobs, a halt to foreclosures and a better life for all; and be it further
RESOLVED funding for such social needs come from diverting funds from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, from taxing the corporations and the rich, taxing trades in the stock market and currency trades, and not taxes on workers or the middle class. California, the third biggest oil producer in the country is the only one of the 22 major oil states that does not impose a tax on oil taken from the ground; and be it further
RESOLVED that the leadership of the California Labor Federation, the Change to Win Coalition and the international Unions so affiliated to these bodies, as well as non-affiliated Unions join the call for and participate in a statewide strike on March 4th 2010 and publicly announce such intentions; and be it finally
RESOLVED that the resources of organized Labor in California be used between now and March 4th 2010 to build support among the members of its affiliated Unions, the communities in which we live and work, and among the youth for a successful and united statewide strike against the assault on working people and our families.
Adopted by General Membership on 12-17-09
cc California State Labor Federation AFL-CIO
Alameda County Central Labor Council AFL-CIO
AFSCME District Council 57 AFL-CIO
AFCME International Union AFL-CIO
Download a copy our March 4th Resolution
Editorial
The economic down turn; the political failure of the state of California; the constant threat of furloughs and lay-offs of public sector employees, leaves little to be proud of and littler yet to smile about. So when a small ray of sunshine breaks thru the bleak clouds, it’s something to take notice of.
The small ray of sunshine I speak of is the Union Dental Offices. During Dr. Dang’s presentation to the Executive Board of AFSCME 444 he mentioned that on unique occasions he gave back to the community by doing pro bono work for people in shelters or homeless, who were unable to secure work partly due to how they were perceived. He said it was difficult for someone to find employment when all potential employers saw was someone in desperate need of dental care.
As happens, during the Holidays, some 444 members donated their time at food banks, soup kitchens and with families in need. It just so happens they came across just such a person. She was in great need of dental work, unable to find a job and unable to provide for her family. She found herself relying on the kindnesses of those around her and had just about reached the end of her rope.
We called Union Dental, the office on Hegenberger in Oakland, and asked them for tangible aid on her behalf. Dr. Dang and his staff stepped up and did more than we could have hoped for. They quickly had her into the office for an evaluation, they did a complete set of x-rays, and they removed her cracked and diseased teeth, and replaced them with a full set of dentures. Believe me when I say, this was no easy task for them or the patient. Dr. Dang gave not only of his business time, skilled dental procedures, and money, but that of his amazing staff as well. All this was done pro bono and if you’re not sure what that means, it means FREE.
That small ray of sunshine I spoke of gets brighter with time. Over the last few weeks the woman Dr. Dang and his staff came to the aid of, has had two job interviews, and is in the running for both positions. What greater reward could we have asked for?
444’s deepest thanks to Dr. Dang and his staff.
Let me finish this by saying, if you’re looking for good quality dental care, take your union card and head over to the Union Dental Offices. I hope you have as great an experience as I have witnessed at Union Dental.
Cheryl Franklin
Member Relations Secretary
AFSCME 444