AMERICAN LABOUR/ECONOMIC CRISIS:
TELL THE BOSSES-PAY THE WORKERS FIRST:
The following is from the American Jobs With Justice coalition. Down Rhode island way Colibri, a jewelry manufacturer, has gone into receivership without, of course, making provisions for their workers to be paid what is due them upon termination of employment. Declaring bankruptcy is, of course, a great way of getting out of legal requirements, but in this case the employees are "bumped down the line" in terms of creditors. Join the JwJ coalition in pressuring the private equity 'Founders Equity' to do the right thing. In passing Molly would like to note that this sort of situation would be a prime opportunity for the workers involved to exercise the tactics of more and more workers across the globe-including the USA- by occupying the factory and putting a halt to the owners and receivers looting the assets until a just settlement is achieved.
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Tell Founders Equity to Treat Workers Fairly:
On January 15, the 280 workers at Colibri, a jewelry manufacturer in Rhode Island, were informed that their jobs were suddenly gone. Colibri's owners, New York-based Founders Private Equity SBIC, asked the Rhode Island Superior Court to appoint a receiver to sell the company's assets to repay creditors.
Tell Founders Equity to Treat Workers Fairly:
On January 15, the 280 workers at Colibri, a jewelry manufacturer in Rhode Island, were informed that their jobs were suddenly gone. Colibri's owners, New York-based Founders Private Equity SBIC, asked the Rhode Island Superior Court to appoint a receiver to sell the company's assets to repay creditors.
But as the courts settle Colibri's debts to banks and lenders, the workers could be left with nothing. Colibri workers, even those who had given 10, 20, 30+ years in service to the company,were shocked by their plant closing and are facing this recession head on with no relief.
Please support Colibri Workers for Rights and Justice by taking a few seconds to send a free fax(email actually-Molly) to Founders Equity partners right now demanding that Founders Equity give every Colibri Worker 60 days pay, 60 days benefits and severance based on years worked.
In this economic crisis too many private banks and investment firms are shirking their responsibility to the people who dedicated years of service to their businesses. By holding Founders Equity responsible, together we're sending a clear message to all employers: act responsibly to the individuals and families who worked for you; let human rights prevail over corporate greed.
In the words of one Colibri Workers for Rights and Justice leader, "Our families won't wait to eat. Our landlords won't wait for rent. Our children won't wait for medical care."
Stop corporate greed. Take action now.
Right now, so many workers around the country are facing plant closings, foreclosures, delays and denials in benefits and compensation. Colibri workers and their allies are fighting back!
Jobs with Justice is committed to supporting Colibri Workers for Rights and Justice in fighting for respect and justice. We are also committed to putting employers on notice.
Private Equity firms, investors, lenders and employers alike must be held accountable for the ways their decisions affect communities. 280 newly unemployed Rhode Islanders were not given an opportunity to find other jobs - this is a crisis for them and their families- and it deepens our overall economic crisis.
Another part of our fight back is organizing together for passage of the Employee Free Choice Act, the strongest way we can build worker power & fight corporate greed in tough economic times. Please take a few seconds to add your name to an Employee Free Choice Act postcard right now.
Take action now to stand up for corporate accountability during this economic crisis. You can see videos and press clippings from Colibri Workers for Rights and Justice recent actions at
TAKE ACTION:
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THE LETTER:
Please go to THIS LINK to send a message to Founders Equity that they should do the right thing and pay their workers first. The letter follows.
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I am writing to support the efforts of Colibri Workers for Rights and
Justice. I understand that Founders Equity, a majority investor in the
Colibri Group asked the Rhode Island Superior court to place the Colibri Group
into receivership. The former Colibri workers are now facing this
recession head-on and they deserve some relief.
Many of these workers had given the
company 10, 20, 30, even 37 years of service.
Founders Equity has an
obligation to respond to Colibri Workers for Rights and Justice. I am
asking you to respond to Colibri Workers for Rights and Justice by agreeing to
negotiate with their elected leadership for 60 days pay, 60 days benefits and
severance based on years worked.
I stand with the Colibri Workers
because I believe that it's time that employers, investors and lenders alike
take the responsibility for their actions.
During this economic crisis, laid off
workers can't wait for a lengthy court process. In the words of one leader of
Colibri Workers for Rights and Justice, "Our families won't wait to eat. Our
landlords won't wait for rent. Our children won't wait for medical care."
Please contact Colibri Workers for Rights
and Justice immediately. You can reach Colibri Workers for Rights and
Justice with your response at (401)725-2700.
Thank you for your prompt attention to the
rights of Colibri Groups former employees.
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