IAC – Old IWW

Staff at Berkeley’s Iconic Moe’s Books Win First Collective Agreement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 25 November, 2021 Contact: Maxim Baru ([email protected])

Bastion of Radical Bookselling Since 1959 Reaches Agreement With IWW

Berkeley, CA — In a first for Berkeley’s iconic Moe’s Books, staff represented by the Industrial Workers of the World labor union have ratified a Collective Bargaining Agreement.

The new contract effectively ends at-will employment at Moe’s Books with the introduction of a grievance procedure. The new agreement also establishes a new minimum wage of $20 per hour that is subject to a 3% annual raise and, in addition to wages raises based on seniority, provides paid dental insurance and employer contributions to the 401(K). Critically, staff will now also have powerful new avenues through which to shape health and safety procedures.

Employees at Moe’s Books initially unionized in March 2021 in response to concerns over health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) is a labor union representing nearly 9,000 workers across North America. Established in 1905, the IWW is known for its high standards of democracy, transparency, multinationalism, and active use of the right to strike.

The Only Legally Recognized Fast Food Union In The US Reaches Tentative Agreement With Company

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 12, 2021 Contact: Maxim Baru ([email protected])

Upon Ratification Workers At Burgerville Will Become The Only Fast Food Workforce Covered By A Collective Agreement

Portland, OR — The Burgerville Workers Union – Industrial Workers of the World (BVWU) has reached a tentative agreement with Burgerville on a historic contract to be ratified by a vote of workers in represented shops. Upon ratification, workers at Burgerville will become the only fast food workforce in the U.S. covered by a Collective Agreement. A milestone in one of the longest standing labor disputes in the Portland, OR area, this Agreement will set out a range of improvements in wages and working conditions for approximately 100 workers across five Burgerville locations. Burgerville and the BVWU have been in contract negotiations since June of 2018.

“A union and a contract give workers more power at work” said Mark Medina, a member of the BVWU bargaining team. Under the proposed contract workers will gain access to a three month set schedule, paid vacation time, paid parental leave, improved job safety, and greater job security through ‘Just Cause’ protections against arbitrary or unfair discipline. These improvements, in addition to those already achieved by the union in preceding years such as raises, tipping, free employee shift meals and paid holidays, will be enshrined and protected in the proposed agreement.

“This is important for the future, for the kids, so they can have more money and work less hours,” responded Raka, a longtime worker at a union-represented Burgerville shop, “This is also important for me, so that I can have a consistent schedule and have more money to support my family.”

Union organizers noted that this agreement does not mark the end of their efforts to make improvements at Burgerville and in traditionally low wage industries. “We need real change in our society, and these improvements are just the beginning of new struggles to win even more,” remarked Luis Brennan, an organizer with the union, adding, “for us, ratifying this contract is the first step to going on strike for better the day it expires.”

The vote will be conducted over the coming weeks at all unionized Burgerville locations. The BVWU hopes to have results from worker voting by mid December.

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Briarpatch Article Featuring IWW Members Spotlights Canada’s sole Sex Workers Union

IWW members were recently featured in a Briarpatch article focusing on the Sex Workers Industrial Movement, Canada’s sole sex workers union.

“What if sex workers had institutional representation that could fight for better working conditions? Like a support network, but with the means to organize around workplace grievances in ways that sex workers’ rights groups can’t?”

Read the article here.

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Caliber Public Schools Found Illegally Intimidating And Retaliating Against Workers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 28, 2021 Contact: Maxim Baru ([email protected])

Public Employment Relations Board sides with staff in Unfair Practice Complaint charging Caliber Public Schools with illegal anti-union action

RICHMOND, CA (October 28, 2021) — Caliber Public Schools, a non-profit that runs a pair of charter schools in Richmond, CA and Vallejo, CA has broken the law when it acted against its employees’ effort to unionize, says a new complaint issued by California’s Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) earlier this month.

Administration at the two charter schools operated by Caliber Public Schools, The Beta Academy & The ChangeMakers Academy, was found culpable in violating the law in 5 counts when they:

Refused to offer one of its employees a new work contract for the school year in retaliation for his union activities
Surveilled, questioned, and investigated staff about the union activities, which is forbidden due to its predictable chilling effects
Ordered employees to refrain from talking about their effort to unionize during school hours, and on campus
Censored emails in the internal system between workers expressing support for efforts to organize a union
Denied employees rights to union representation

Typically settlements include offers for reinstatement with back pay for workers who faced retaliation, statements of wrongdoing and a commitment to not do so again in the future, along with training for management on workers’ EERA rights, among other things.

“This comes as an enormous relief”, said Tyler Powell, fourth grade teacher, who was not offered a new contract for this year’s school term in retaliation for his union activities. “The PERB complaint sends an important message that workers who advocate for a union cannot be fired, even in a roundabout way. Every worker deserves a right to have fair representation, ultimately that’s what we aim to do for each other with our union.”

“Being put on the spot and questioned about my co-workers’ concerns by managers was incredibly stressful and disappointing, ” said Thomas Binz, Computer Science teacher. Trying to pressure us into disclosing private conversations to stop us from advocating for one another undermines our mission to nurture the development of good moral judgement in our students. It’s important that we ensure this never happens again, so our school can work together, free from intimidation from management.”

“One of Caliber Public School’s goals is to equip students with the real world skills to become agents of change in their communities and the world,” pointed out first grade teacher Morgan Hubbard adding that “when the school acted to stop us from talking about getting unionized, they’re breaking a promise they made to parents, families, students, and investors to uphold the basic values they want to cultivate among the students.”

“Many employers have gotten accustomed to acting as if their company is their own personal fiefdom where anything goes,” said Cameron Crowell, IWW Organizer. Employees are treated, at best, as personal property, and at worst an enemy that needs to be pushed out at the earliest sign of independent thought. But this PERB complaint reminds everyone that the people who perform the work are entitled to fight for a healthier workplace free from interference.”

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IWW Stands In Solidarity With IATSE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 27, 2021 Contact: Maxim Baru ([email protected])

Chicago, IL (October 27, 2021) — The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) expresses our solidarity with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) in their ongoing struggle for better working conditions.

Two weeks ago, members at 36 US-based IATSE Locals representing film and television workers — many of whom maintain joint membership in IWW — voted in overwhelming numbers to authorize the first nationwide strike in the union’s 128 year history.

After five months of negotiations between IATSE and the Hollywood employer’s cartel, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, deep grievances persist over wages and conditions for streaming, meal penalties, as well as weekly and daily rest periods.

In addition to bringing relief to tens of thousands of workers experiencing nationwide dissatisfaction and burnout, who have been quitting the industry in record numbers, IATSE stands to embolden other unions such as the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) and Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW).

“Many of the members in my Local have built up so much energy, stoked by years of miserable treatment on the job site and kindled by the possibility of real change through action,” says IATSE Local 481 member Devin Charette. “We want to go to work feeling like we played a real, physical role in re-shaping our working lives, giving it all we have so that we don’t wonder what could have been. If we seize the moment with courage and conviction, we can achieve a better deal on weekend rest, meal breaks, and abolish streaming media contracts, while emboldening thousands of workers in other industries to take action for better working conditions”

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National Labor Relations Board Rules in Favour of Voodoo Doughnuts Workers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 8 October, 2021 [email protected]

On October 6, 2021 NLRB found merit in and are reaching a settlement to bring back Voodoo Doughnut staff who were fired during a strike in June of 2021

Portland, OR — On October 6th, 2021, Doughnut Workers United-IWW (DWU) received word from the National Labor Relations Board that 7 of the 9 striking workers who were terminated will have their jobs reinstated with back pay upon the conclusion of our most recent Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charge against Voodoo Doughnut. DWU was informed that two ULPs have settled in the union’s favour. These ULPs include charges concerning topics of managerial surveillance, the posting of union information in communal work spaces, workers entering the building off the clock, as well as the recall of seven of the nine terminated workers who were fired for going on a health and safety strike around the growing concerns of temperatures inside the restaurant, knowingly in direct violation of the national labor law.

In June of 2021, twelve workers went on strike due to growing concerns of temperatures inside the Old Town location of Voodoo Doughnut. Workers informed Voodoo Doughnut of the strike, which lasted for two days during Oregon’s record breaking heat wave where temperatures rose to, or above, 115 degrees. The goal of the strike was to protect workers’, while simultaneously encouraging the company to address the growing concern around these dangerous working conditions. As each striking worker returned following the heat wave, they were terminated on the bogus accusation of workplace abandonment.

The company was well aware that their actions were illegal retaliation. Despite Kora Drexler, the general manager, telling workers they could leave if they were concerned about the extreme heat, and despite Celise Ellis, the company’s HR representative, being informed by a community delegation of the illegal nature of their actions, Voodoo Doughnut has chosen to keep both incompetent members of corporate staff employed. This shows a company unwilling to listen, unless forced to, regarding even the most reasonable of demands.

“DWU’s goals have always been to provide mutual aid to all Voodoo Doughnut staff in need, improve work and safety conditions, negotiating with the company towards a living wage, and creating a democratic workplace environment where the workers’ voices are heard and valued. These are moral and just goals, and Doughnut Workers United would like to thank our community for all of your continued support! We are all the working class, and together we can build a better future for us all!” said DWU member Mark Medina

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Autumn Referendum: Participate, Nominate, Vote

IWW Members Vote on Policy Changes & Elect New Union Officers

Every year, in autumn, IWW members vote in a national referendum on new union policies & priorities, as well as elect a new team of officers at the IWW International.

Changes in Union Policy & Priority in North America

Over Labor Day Weekend 2021, the IWW held its Annual General Convention online. The convention spent 3 days deliberating resolutions brought forward by branches from Canada and the United States, and nominations for a new team of International officers (North America region) were received from around the two countries.

What’s Next?

Every member of the union will be receiving a ballot explaining who is running for each open post, as well as each resolution approved at the Annual General Convention.

Voting in the North America wide referendum is taking place between today, October 15 → November 30, 2021 by email using the secure election system Simply Voting.

The True North: Canada Votes in Additional Referendum

In addition to our North America-wide referendum, our Canadian members are holding an additional annual referendum.

Nominations will be accepted for all open posts at the Canadian Regional Organizing Committee (CanROC) October 4 → 18, 2021. To see a full list of open posts visit IWW.CA

Every CanROC member will be receiving a ballot explaining who is running for each open post, as well as each resolution received.

Voting in the Canadian referendum will take place November 1 → 30, 2021 by email using the secure election system Simply Voting.

Results for the Canadian referendum will be available December 6, 2021.

Housekeeping

Remember to update your email address & personal contact information in our union’s records at redcard.old.iww.org where you can also pay your dues online. Only members who are up to date on their union dues will be able to vote.

If you have technical issues updating your personal contact information or paying your union dues online, please contact us at [email protected] & [email protected]. Canadian members, please contact [email protected].

Check back here for election information which will be published as it becomes available.

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Staff at Anti-Mountaintop Removal Nonprofit Coal River Mountain Watch Unionize with IWW

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
7 September, 2021
Contact: Maxim Baru [email protected]

Workers fighting destruction of communities & environment by mountaintop removal mining in WV join expanding non-profit labor union

NAOMA, West Virginia — The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) is excited to announce that workers at the Coal River Mountain Watch (CRMW) have organized with unanimous support under the banner of the IWW.

As of September 7, the IWW has asked for and received voluntary recognition from CRMW management.

Employees at CRMW join their colleagues at Holler Health Justice and the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition in the widening slate of nonprofits unionized with the IWWs West Virginia Branch.

Coal River Mountain Watch is a grassroots organization created in 1998 in response to the fear and frustration of people living near or downstream from enormous mountaintop removal sites. From humble beginnings as a small group of volunteers working to organize Southern WV residents to fight for social, economic, and environmental justice, CRMW become a major force in opposition to mountaintop removal.

As an organization that stands for human rights in mountain communities and against community destruction by the coal industry – in recognizing their staff’s union – the CRMW can now proudly boast that their values align with their practice.

“I’m beyond proud to be in a union now, and I’m beyond proud to work for an organization that values my rights as a worker,” said Coal River Mountain Watch staff member Junior Walk, adding “Here’s to a brighter future for West Virginia and the brave souls who try to make it a better place to live.”

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Dill Pickle Food Coop Workers Complaints Found To Have Merit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 14, 2021
Contact: [email protected]

Dill Pickle Food Coop Workers Complaints Found To Have Merit

CHICAGO, IL — The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has found merit in complaints filed by the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) against the cooperative grocery store, Dill Pickle Food Coop.

While Management falsely asserted that the union’s complaints had been dismissed, the NLRB found merit to our members’ allegations that the Dill Pickle Food Coop disciplined a union steward in retaliation for his union activities in addition to contravening their obligation to negotiate policy and working hours with the union by unilaterally implementing policy changes and reducing hours for the grocery department.

The NLRB also found merit in a charge for threat of job loss in retaliation for protected concerted activities.

While the Dill Pickle Coop workers attempted to work with the grocer’s Board of Directors to stem the numerous contractual and legal issues before they escalated further, the Board chose to back Management decisions.

The Industrial Workers of the World has demonstrated resolve to back our members inside and outside the courtroom with picket action on both Cesar Chavez Day and International Workers’ Day, job action, and a successful strike authorization vote.

Moving forward, the IWW backs its members in demanding that the Dill Pickle Coop Board of Directors take action to hold their Management staff accountable for these egregious violations of worker’ rights and issue an apology for their deflections and failure to take any meaningful action when informed of these issues.

The IWW is also backing our members in demanding that all discipline for Union Secretary & Shop Steward Gabe Galloway be expunged from his record, that management immediately begin bargaining over all unilateral policy changes, and that back-pay be awarded to all workers who lost hours due to management cutting hours without bargaining.

Follow the latest on Twitter at @DillPickle_IWW.

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The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) is a labor union representing 9,000 workers across North America. Established in 1905, the IWW is known for its high standards of democracy, transparency, multinationalism, and active use of the right to strike.

Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition Workers Stand Firm Despite Management Offensive

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 14, 2021
Contact: [email protected]

Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition Workers Stand Firm Despite Management Offensive

HUNTINGTON, WV — While public concern for urgent action on the environment remains high, one of West Virginia’s most prestigious environmental organizations, the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition (OVEC), is poised to miss crucial organizing opportunities this summer as it enters into the fourth month of a brutal dispute over their employee’s right to unionize.

In March 2021, workers of the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition organized with majority support as the OVEC Union (OVECU) under the IWW, requesting voluntary recognition.

Despite majority support among the members of OVEC’s Board of Directors for a positive and good faith engagement with staff, the organization has chosen to fight tooth and nail. With Mike Sullivan at the helm of the Board, and Tonya Adkins & Vivian Stockman in Co-Direction, OVEC has chosen to effectively whittle down its capacity to organize as it suspends, fires, and threatens its staff into submission.

Upon learning of the union drive, OVEC management immediately launched an internal hunt for instigators, placing their Director of Organizing, Brendan Muckian-Bates, on suspension. While the organization claimed that Brendan was a supervisor and consequently not entitled to participate in union activity, OVEC was unable to convince the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) which ruled that Brendan was to be included in the bargaining unit at a formal hearing earlier this month.

Upon learning of their loss at the NLRB, OVEC management opted to double down by terminating their Director of Organizing as well as their Project Coordinator, Dustin White. While Brendan’s suspension and termination is bad enough — arriving as it does mere days following the birth of a new child — Dustin’s termination is especially egregious given his unimpeachable credentials in the environmental movement.

Heralding from 11 generations of working class ancestry in the so called “coal fields” of Southern West Virginia, and family ties to the UMWA including a great grandfather who fought at Blair Mountain, Dustin became involved in the environmental movement as a volunteer with OVEC around 2007 before joining the staff in 2012. Dustin has lobbied on both the state and federal levels on numerous issues leading to important legal changes. Recognized with an award by OVEC, Dustin has testified before Congress, conducted ground tours with Congressional representatives, held numerous meetings with state and federal agencies, and worked with the United Nations and Human Rights Watch for reports on the conditions in Appalachia. Having been featured in media locally, nationally, and internationally, including a recent feature in a National Geographic series, just prior to his termination Dustin conducted two tours with German Public Broadcasting and independent filmmakers.

In a move that demonstrates tremendous integrity and honor, non profit organizations working on environmental issues, such as the Mid-Ohio Valley Climate Action have moved to suspend their partnerships with OVEC, sending a comradely but firm signal that the organization will be welcome back into the fold when it returns to good standing with their employees.

An NLRB election is presently taking place and votes will be counted on July 9.

The IWW stands ready to reduce tensions, and negotiate a lasting agreement with OVEC that will enable them to return to their important work.

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