The Southern Workers Assembly is Sept. 3 from 1-5 p.m. at the Wedgewood Baptist Church, 4800 Wedgewood Drive, Charlotte, NC 28210. More info: southernworker.org. For more information on participating in the Southern Workers Assembly, contact Saladin Muhammad of the Southern International Worker Justice Campaign at
info@southernworker.org.
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For Immediate Release:
Agent Orange Day 2012 – 51 Years of Agent Orange use in Vietnam
Campaign Calls for 51 seconds of silence and 51 seconds of action
When: August 10, 12 noon
Where: Cities across the U.S.
August 10th 2012 is the 51st anniversary of the first time the U.S. government used Agent Orange in Vietnam. Millions of Vietnamese people have died. Millions continue to suffer from cancers and birth defects which affect three generations, including babies born every day. Around the world, veterans of the U.S. war in Vietnam also suffer from illnesses and their children, from birth defects.
Those responsible – the United States government and the chemical companies which made this deadly chemical weapon, including Dow Chemical and Monsanto – have yet to compensate their victims or clean up the land they poisoned.
In the 8th month, on the 10th day at 12 noon people in the U.S. and across the globe will take part together in observing:
Ø 51 seconds of silence to reflect upon 51 years of spraying Agent Orange and 51 years of suffering of the victims in Vietnam, the U.S. and around the world from Agent Orange, as well as all victims of war
Ø 51 seconds of action to ask their congressional representatives to take action to help the victims by signing an orange postcard asking them to support H.R. 2634 – the Victims of Agent Orange Relief Act of 2011 at http://www.vn-agentorange.org
Vietnam Agent Orange Relief & Responsibility Campaign is a project of Veterans For Peace and is a partner of Vietnam Veterans Against the War and the National Lawyers Guild
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From Slice of Justice, http://sliceofjustice.com/blog/small-businesses-side-with-palermo-workers
Palermo’s workers are grateful for the support of local small businesses in our fight for justice. We are happy to announce that Beans and Barley in Milwaukee has joined the Palermo’s boycott. They will not reorder Palermo’s Pizza for their shelves until the workers’ dispute is resolved fairly.
Please take a moment to thank Beans and Barley for taking a stand and demonstrating how local retailers can show real solidarity against the injustices happening in their own city.
Call Beans and Barley at 414-278-7878 and ask for the manager. If the manager isn’t there, leave a voice mail for them. Tell them thanks for taking a moral stand and supporting the Palermo workers.
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http://www.aft.org/newspubs/news/2012/080812palermo.cfm
The AFT’s national officers have sent a letter of support to workers at Palermo’s Pizza in Milwaukee, who have been on strike for nearly two months in a fight for safe working conditions and recognition of their union.
“We stand with all of you who have been subjected to threats, intimidation and retaliation, including the more than 75 workers who have lost their jobs—all within days of signing petitions to gain union representation,” AFT president Randi Weingarten, secretary-treasurer Lorretta Johnson and executive vice president Francine Lawrence write.
Palermo’s is one of the largest frozen pizza manufacturers in the country. The National Labor Relations Board is investigating the company’s conduct, including charges that workers were fired for attempting to organize the union. Workers say Palermo’s is continuing its intimidation campaign.
On Aug. 6, the AFL-CIO endorsed a boycott of Palermo’s brand pizzas. In addition to Palermo’s, the boycott includes “Classics” brand pizza and a private label produced by Palermo’s, which includes Costco’s Kirkland brand.
Palermo’s prides its founding by immigrants, and today employs many immigrants. “Many of you have come to this country looking to realize your own dreams in this ‘land of opportunity,’ ” the AFT letter says. “You seek only what American workers have always sought: decent pay, a safe workplace and a chance to give your children a better life.”
The letter ends by praising the workers’ courage, determination and unity. “We urge Palermo’s to respect your human and democratic right for union representation, and we call for the reinstatement of all workers.”
The strike has drawn widespread support from labor groups, including the AFL-CIO and AFT affiliates in Wisconsin, as well as from others in the local community.
You can support Palermo’s workers by signing a petition of support, which will be sent to the company’s CEO, or assisting the workers through donations or calls of support. Find updates on the strike online. [Dan Gursky, AFL-CIO Now]
August 8, 2012
On the picket line at Palermo’s June 10, 2012.
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(Washington, D.C., August 9) The AFL-CIO endorsed a nationwide boycott of Palermo Villa Inc. in response to the company’s blatant disregard of its workers’ choice to form a union. The boycott covers Palermo’s brand pizza, “Classics” brand pizza and private label brand frozen pizza produced by Palermo including Costco’s Kirkland brand. This endorsement is part of the continued support for the efforts of the Palermo Workers Union by the United Steelworkers and the AFL-CIO, community and immigrant rights groups like Voces de la Frontera and students from the United States Students Association, the nation’s largest and oldest student-led organization.
“The twelve million union families of the AFL-CIO are proud to stand with these Wisconsin workers who have bravely joined together for a voice on the job,” AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said. “Their courage and strength are a model for working people around the country whose rights are being violated and voices silenced. We hope that this boycott will encourage Palermo to finally respect its workers who work so hard for them every day.”
Workers from Palermo, a large frozen pizza manufacturer in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, have been on strike since June 1, 2012 to protest unfair labor practices. After the workers requested that Palermo recognize their union and bargain with them over serious workplace problems, Palermo fired over 75 workers. Many workers at Palermo face serious health hazards, have no sick days and make little more than the minimum wage.
Raul De la Torres, a Palermo worker said, “Everyone – workers, consumers and the community – have a reason to be very concerned about Palermo’s actions. It’s shameful the company still refuses to recognize the workers’ concerns or hear the voices of the community.”
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For more information on the efforts of Palermo workers, visit www.sliceofjustice.com
Contact: Josh Goldstein (202) 637-5018
On the picket line at Palermo’s June 10, 2012
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Costco 2150 Deming Way Middleton, Wisconsin 53562
11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Come show your support for worker rights!
Join us in solidarity with the Palermo workers, and allies across the nation as we hold a actions in more than 10 different cities across the nation. Including L.A., N.Y. Portland, Phoenix, Washington D.C.
We are targeting Costco, the biggest distributer of Palermo products, demanding they take Kirkland Frozen pizza (a Palermo made product) off their shelves.
This is the first of three escalating national weekends of action on the 11th, 18th and culminating on the 25th with a huge media and turnout push.
While the campaign has take a national stage local support is still essential to the campaign.
Solidarity!
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Visitation
Friday, August 10
9 to 11 a.m.
Oak Creek High School gymnasium
340 East Puetz Road Oak Creek, WI 53154
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