| 12/02/03 Mtg of SGV Community-Labor Alliance Reports from strike captains: Negotiations going on now. Union holding firm against "second-tier" proposal, which is actually a "third-tier"; "second tier" was created 25 years ago with "General Merchandise" classification, which brought in people at lower pay who never reached same level of benefits as "first-tier" employees. Strikers still getting paid $40/day for picketing, but some (e.g., box people and wrappers) are only getting 3 days work a week. Seven locals are involved, and internationals are giving support. All Teamsters at distribution centers have walked off the job, which is affecting deliveries to Ralph's, Albertson's, Von's, and Food-4-Less. Since Teamsters are not on strike, they can't man picket lines at distribution centers, which means UFCW has to have 2 people picketing distribution centers round the clock. (Teamsters can't honor picket lines unless pickets are there; if they are not there, Teamsters have to wait 72 hours before they can walk off again.) Lots of support still coming in from community. Kind of support needed: picketers need ice and water; union needs bags of rice, beans, and canned vegetables to distribute to needy. California Attorney General Bill Lockyer using anti-trust law to challenge lock-out. If supermarkets have to start paying unemployment to locked-out workers, this will cost Ralph's and Albertson's. Local 770 members from other markets (e.g., Gelsons, etc.) now having money deducted from paychecks to go into strike fund. Report from Community Groups: Bob M reported that County Fed's Labor Community Services is organizing strike support and knows how to distribute supplies to neediest. Also, union's hardship program is helping neediest with rent, utility bills, etc., but people need to know that help is available for neediest. Bob M circulated L.A. County Fed's Adopt-a-Store pledge. Harry W. using Monterey Park's strike support resolution to pressure city to set up Senior Center as food collection point. SGV Neighbors for Peace and Justice collecting food at Friday night vigil. SGVNPJ has been leafletting with strikers. Now has leaflet in Chinese. Anyone who wants to leaflet should be at Al M.'s (107 N. First St., Alhambra, Apt. E) at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. Gene W. proposed having region-wide community rally at mega-distribution center. Need to research where distribution centers are located. There will be rally in Burbank on Saturday, Dec. 6; Chris to get details to Al M. Al M talked to Pasadena Weekly editor Kevin Urich about expose on Alhambra City Council's refusal to support strikers after having granted itself lifetime health-care benefits for only 12 years in office. Kevin says to get ball rolling he needs letters to editor. Craig will write letter to editor. Hat was passed at meeting; $94 collected, proceeds split into two donations of $47 each, one for local Von's strikers and one for local Albertson's strikers. Other News: Bob M. announced Pilgrimage for Human Rights (marching from Claremont to downtown L.A. for all Californians right to a living wage, affordable health care, quality education and safe roads). Marchers will be in El Monte on Dec. 6 and in Monterey Park on Dec. 7. Need organizations to welcome them when they get to town. Contact: Filoberto Nolasco at 909-532-9590 ([email protected]) or Rose Hendriks at 909-629-5323 or 909-415-0871 ([email protected]) Wal-Mart trying to move into West Covina as well as Rosemead. West Covina City Council will meet on this in January; unions opposing Wal-Mart will be there. Consensus was that best time to fight Wal-Mart is BEFORE it comes to town and best way to do this is to get living/prevailing wage ordinance passed in your city. Several people noted that former Gov. Gray Davis signed legislation requiring employers of more than a certain # of people to either provide health-care benefits or pay into a state fund. This should apply to Wal-Mart. Next meeting: 7 pm, Tues., Dec. 9, 2003 at Monterey Park City Hall gym (room # to be determined). Gym is building on west side of parking lot; entrance on McPherrin St. All those interested in supporting strike are welcome to come to this meeting! For more information, contact Al M at 626-289-3573. |