Feature Archives

9/16/04: In response to IWW unionized Stockton truckers striking, bosses caved, giving in to over 70% of their demands. The three days strike resulted in losses of $10,000s for the company and they could not suffer much more, even though they began contracting out work. Organized under the IWW IU 530, truck drivers decided to unionize after continued bad conditions of 7 work day weeks, and swindled time and money. Many truck drivers work 12 hour days to compensate for having to pay for their own gas, tires, and repairs. All of these conditions create jobs that can't support working families. IWW organizers are calling for solidarity, help, and financial support in the stuggle for justice for the Stockton truck drivers. For more info, email: harjit@equalvision.net

9/12/04: A Vons supermarket in Fresno put up a new sign on their front door. With contract negotiations looming, they are on the lookout for scabs. The sign welcoming customers today offered drivers $16.85 an hour. In Fresno, where the “official” unemployment rate has been over 10% for decades, this sign is sure to get some attention. Workers stated that the sign was "the companies way of preparing for negotiations.” In the event of a strike. “They want us to know that they are preparing to bring in scabs to take our jobs.”

9/10/04: Farmworkers marched in Reedley today to draw attention to problems they are having with the California Highway Patrol. The CHP has been setting up check points on roads frequented by farm workers during the height of harvest season. They are checking to see if the driver has a drivers license. If the driver does not have a license the vehicle is impounded. Fees for retrieving the car from storage often exceeds $500 - one or two weeks salary for the typical farmworker.

9/09/04: The Winnemen Wintu Tribe of Northern California called a “War Dance” because their sacred sites and traditional ways of life are being threatened by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s proposal to raise the dam in order to create more water storage and more power generation for California’s growing population. This traditional band of Wintu had been living along the McCloud River for at least a thousand years. Then in the 1930’s, when Shasta Dam was first constructed, they were removed from their homelands, their burial grounds and villages were inundated and they lost their salmon. Now they are again under assault.

The California Highway Patrol is stepping up their harassment of Central Valley farmworkers. Check points have been set up, at the height of the harvest season, on roads frequented by farm workers. The CHP asks the driver for car registration documents. If the driver can’t provide the documentation the car is confiscated and the farmworker is forced to pay to get the car out of storage. The cost is often hundreds of dollars, several weeks wages. To fight this injustice, the leaders of the farm workers community are organizing a march denouncing the check points. We must unite in this effort to stop the unwarranted check points and to pressure on Governor Schwarzenegger to sign SB 1160 to grant licenses for all. The march will begin at 5 pm on Friday, September 10th in front of the Meadowbrook apartment at 683 N. Haney in Reedley and will end at the DMV in Reedley.

8/23/04: In spite of continued police harassment and intimidation of homeless, youth, and activists in the Modesto, the DAAA Collective organized their second Reclaim the Parks action to bring awareness and build solidarity. Three meals were served, and a "Know Your Rights" workshops and informational videos were shown. Between 20-30 anti-authoriarians took to the streets of Modesto for over 30 minutes, blocking traffic to the support of homeless waiting in a nearby park.
Reports: 1, 2

8/30/04: On Sunday, August 29, 2004, thousands of members of the religious right took over Fresno City Hall . Fresno mayor Alan Autry and the Rev. Jim Franklin organized this celebration for "traditionally married couples" on the front steps of City Hall. News Link, Fresno’s gay rights newspaper files this report on how the Community Confronted Mayor Autry. An estimated 250 people were across the street, protesting the event. There were no arrests..