Feature Archives

The state of Puebla in central Mexico has been a hotbed of independent union organizing. 800 garment workers at the Tarrant Mexico - Ajalpan factory are leading the latest organizing effort. The workers are seeking recognition of their union, SUITTAR (Sindicato Unico Independiente de Trabajadores de la Empresa Tarrant Mexico), as well as reinstatement of workers illegally dismissed from the factory. The factory is co-owned by the Tarrant Apparel Group -TAG- whose major clients include The Wet Seal, Limited/Express, Abercrombie & Fitch and the Federated Department Stores which own and operates Macy's and Bloomingdale's.
Fundraising Appeal for Dismissed Workers | Timeline of Struggle
Email CEO of Wet Seal   | Sweatshop Watch
Action on March 24 at Powell Mall

On April 7, 2003, in the port of Oakland, police launched the most violent attack against anti-war protestors in the U.S. since the beginning of the war in Iraq. Demonstrators, legal observers and longshoremen who were going to work were hit by police fire. Police used "crowd control" weapons in a lethal manner, shooting directly at people, injuring dozens and sending several to the hospital. Making a mockery of justice, the DA has charged the victims of police brutality instead of the real culprits, the police and CATIC, the California state anti-terrorism agency that gave them the green light! As March 20, the anniversary of the start of this war for oil and empire, approaches we must defend the democratic right to protest in the port and in the street. Bush's lies have caused this senseless slaughter in Iraq, while ripping up the Bill of Rights.
Demand the Unjust Charges Be Dropped! Defend the Right to Protest! End the War Now!!
Committee to Defend ILWU Local 10 Business Agent Jack Heyman
Update: Bogus Charges Dropped Against One of the Oakland 25
Report From Last Oakland 25 Rally Photos: 1 2 Video: 1 2

After a 3 1/2 mile march through Santa Ana and Irvine, The Taco Bell Truth Tour culminated in a huge rally at Taco Bell headquarters in Irvine California on March 3rd 2004. The farmworkers who pick the tomatoes for Taco Bell must pick up to 2 tons of tomatoes to make $50 and have not received a raise since 1978. In 2002, three employers were convicted of forcing 700 workers into slave labor. In an effort to improve living conditions in the tomato fields of southwest Florida, the Coalition of Immokalee Workers took their struggle against the largest restaurant corporation in the world, Yum Brands Inc., and its subsidiary Taco Bell on the road. The rally in Southern California was the culmination of the second Taco Bell Truth Tour, and comes over 3 years after the official boycott started in April 2001.
Food First: Reportback and Photos  |  Photos: Last day of March  |  Rally at Headquarters
Also, on February 27 at least 300 people demonstrated outside 2 Santa Cruz Taco Bells in solidarity with the Taco Bell Truth Tour.
For more info see: Coalition of Immakolee Workers  |  Food First

3/1: Over 70,000 members of the Union of Food and Commercial Workers who had been on strike or locked out of their jobs at Safeway (Vons), Kroger (Ralphs) and Albertsons grocery stores since last fall voted this weekend to accept a settlement from the stores. Current workers won a significant prolonged battle over health and pension benefits which the stores had wanted to lessen or do away with, but the final deal includes a two-tier wage scale which will give new workers lower pay and benefits.
A Heroic Defense and a Cruel System | Surrender at the Supermarket | Infoshop Interview with a Southern CA Grocery Worker
Coming soon: The Communications Workers of America are struggling to hold on to their health benefits. Contracts for grocery workers in the Bay Area and Sacramento Valley are set to expire later this year. The UFCW International President said, "2004 is the year to put health care reform on the political agenda and demand that every candidate for office commits to comprehensive, affordable health insurance for every working family."

2/19/04: In Santa Monica, Calif., six women and four men got arrested in an organized civil disobedience action in support of the grocery striking workers. Other similar actions were taking place at the same time at different locations in Los Angeles. Public figures showed up to support the strikers. The former mayor of Santa Monica was among the people arrested. Also the actress Jamie Lee Curtis joined the march from 3rd Street Promenade to the Vons on Lincoln and Broadway where the civil disobedience action took place. Read More from LA Indymedia

2/18/04: Over 100 demonstrators protested budget cuts and economic policy in the heart of Silcon Valley in the "March for Jobless Workers". Silicon Valley was once seen as the epicenter of the "New Economy", a place where anyone could become a millionaire and opportunities seemed unlimited. But yesterday, unemployed workers marched through the heart of Silicon Valley demanding living wage jobs, health care, housing and education -- and demonstrating just how much the Valley has changed. Read More...

Feb. 12: Communications Workers of America and SBC entered contract negotiations. SBC, which made 7.4 billion dollars in profits last year and is the most profitable corporation of its type in this country, has made clear its intent to attack workers' health care packages by passing costs to the workers-- just as Safeway and other corporate giants are doing. The workers at SBC have declared loud and clear that they "Will Strike If Provoked." Rallies were held in Sacramento and Oakland, along with "just practicing" picket lines at worksites that morning. Video
April Update: Workers held a rally and march on April 1st to demand justice from SBC for the upcoming contract. Livewire - April Edition - CWA Local 9415's Newsletter