[act-ma] Sat. 9/15 Umass Lowell - Fundraiser for IWW Food and Allied Workers Union

[Bill Bumpus]

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Bill Bumpus

Industrial Workers of the World

Phone: 617-625-9070

Email: wbumpus62 at comcast.net

Industrial Workers of the World to hold fundraiser for Food and Allied Workers Union in New York


Lowell, MA, September 15th, 2007.

Two years ago, the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) - I.U. 460/640 launched a campaign to organize the dozens of Asian restaurant supply warehouses that litter the industrial areas of East Williamsburg, Bushwick, Ridgewood, and Maspeth. Since then over 75 workers in seven shops have joined the union. Through the IWW's minority unionism approach, workers have successfully enforced their right to minimum wage and overtime, won contracts, and brought Fair Labor Standard Act class actions against their employers in five warehouses totaling more than five million dollars.


Unfortunately, the union's success has provoked a backlash: during the week after Christmas, two warehouse owners, acting in concert to halt the expanding union campaign, illegally fired 20 union workers while a third owner temporarily suspended five. The NLRB has issued complaints in the cases of both the firings. I.U. 460/640's modest defense fund has gone deeply in debt to support the fired workers until they found new jobs. Donations are needed for the relief fund, organizing and overhead.

The Boston General Membership Branch of the IWW will be sponsoring a fundraiser on behalf of the Food and Allied Workers Union.

Date: Saturday, September 15, 2007

Time: 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Place: Center for Family, Work and Community, 600 Suffolk St., Lowell

Suggested donation: $10.00

Featuring:

  a.. Live music
  b.. Film Showing
  c.. Speakers from the union and community supporters
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