Feature Archives

On April 7, 2003 the Oakland Police Dept. opened fire on a peaceful anti-war picket line in the Port of Oakland protesting the war profiteers shipping military cargo. The demo was called by Direct Action to Stop the War. Dozens of demonstrators and 9 longshore workers, members of ILWU Local 10, were seriously injured and 25 were also arrested including Jack Heyman, Local 10 business agent. Heyman was dragged from his car, roughed up and then arrested for the "crime" of trying to warn his members of the violent police attack.

Over 100 people turned out at the Alameda County Courthouse Nov. 7th to defend the right to demonstrate at the port of Oakland and to demand that the charges against the Oakland 25 be dropped.
Report From Rally | Photos: 1 | 2 | More on April 7th Protest

In spite of a threatened veto from the White House, on September 10th, the Senate voted to block Bush's plans to reduce the number of American workers eligible for overtime pay. In another dose of presidential doublespeak, the administration is trying to convince America that his plans to eliminate time and a half for millions are "family friendly." full story

10/30: On Thursday, Berkeley Bowl employees voted 119 to 70 against unionization. While 127 employees had earlier signed cards saying they would be interested in unionizing, a last minute anti-union campaign full of disinformation by managers seems to have resulted in the change.

More Information About The Vote   |   Photos From Recent Rally 1   2  | Mainstream News Coverage

10/27: After 4 months of struggling to unionize the Berkeley Bowl, workers have been faced with an onslaught of anti-union flyers from management and a few brown nosing employees. The owners of the Berkeley Bowl hired a Human Resources person last month, and she has been leading the charge against the union. Their have mainly been strange rumors started by management about layoffs and not being able to call in sick anymore if we vote for the union.

It would be very helpful over these last couple of days before the election if people could go shopping at the store and encourage workers as much as possible, without interfering too much with their work. If you see workers on break, in the cafe or outside, don't hesitate to engage them. Any encouragement at this point will really help, and most people can see through management's tactics of intimidation and lies, so it's almost a matter of talking to the employees to ease their fears and let them know the community supports them. more...
Photos From Recent Rally 1   2  | Mainstream News Coverage

10/17: Hundreds of home care workers and their allies marched in downtown Fresno demanding a living wage. There are over 10,000 home care workers in Fresno County who voted overwhelmingly to join Service Employee International Union local 250. They have been bargaining with the County so workers here will have what home care workers have throughout the state - a living wage with health benefits.

Former City Council member Les Kimber asked the crowd of about 300 outside the Fresno County Hall of Records why there is always enough money for wars and more prisons but somehow the Board of Supervisors can’t find the resources to pay a living wage for home care workers. After his speech Mr. Kimber added that he is outraged by the Sheriff’s department infiltration of Peace Fresno. How can they have all the money they want when violating our civil liberties but say they have no money when it comes to paying a living wage? It is a matter of priorities.

10/11:For the first time in 25 years, supermarket workers have gone on strike. Workers started picketing Vons and Pavillions (part of the Safeway empire) on 10/11; in response, Ralphs and Albertsons locked their workers out and brought in scabs to keep the stores open.
Read more | A radical perspective | IMC Los Angeles

In yet another anti-union move on the part of the "respectable, family-owned" Berkeley Bowl, a union organizer was fired last Sunday, ostensibly for "stealing" marked-down bags of garbanzo beans. Arturo Perez had worked at the store for close to two years, and had been a very active and vocal leader in the unionization effort, which has been staunchly opposed by Bowl owners, the Yasuda family. Photos: 1 | 2 | Daily Planet article