CANADIAN LABOUR:

GOLDEN BRAND WORKERS WIN RECORD SEVERANCE PAY SETTLEMENT IN MONTREAL:

Molly has reported on the situation of the Golden Brand workers in Montreal before on this blog. In response to the threatened closure of the factory their union, Unite Here, launched a widespread solidarity campaign, including a call for internet solidarity. While the factory will still be closing the workers have at least won the largest severance settlement in the history of the Montreal clothing industry. Here is the announcement from Unite Here.

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GOLDEN BRAND FACTORY GIVES $3.5 MILLION IN SEVERANCE TO ITS 540 WORKERS:

Montreal, June 30, 2008 –

After many pressure tactics against Golden Brand, Moores stores and Men's Wearhouse, the Quebec Council of UNITE HERE union (Quebec Federation of Labour) and its members achieved a huge victory last Friday. The parties chose not to wait for an arbitrator's pending decision and concluded an agreement which amounted to $3.5 million in severance pay to the workers. "We are completely satisfied with this settlement. This is a historic settlement, especially for workers in the clothing industry," said Lina Aristeo, director of the Quebec Council and vice-president of the QFL.

The announcement was made by Ms. Aristeo during a special assembly at the factory last Friday and was welcomed by the workers. "Rather than sitting back and letting Golden Brand close without a fight, we stood up and made our voices heard. The result was the largest severance victory for workers in the history of the Montreal clothing industry," said the president of the Golden Brand local, José Duarte.

This agreement takes place following a second day of proceedings before an arbitrator who heard a grievance filed by the union against Golden Brand. The grievance called for an injunction to delay the closure of Golden Brand factory and sought damages as a penalty for the company's alleged violation of the collective agreement.

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Source : Conseil du Québec – UNITE HERE (QFL)

For info : Thao Dao (514) 844-8644 ext. 242 Cell : (514) 887-3463

Thao T. Dao

Directrice des communications

Communications Director

Conseil du Québec - UNITE HERE

CANADIAN LABOUR:

SOLIDARITY WITH MONTREAL GARMENT WORKERS:

The following is a further appeal from the UNITE union over the case of garment workers in Montreal. Molly has featured this item before on her blog, and she is happy to repeat their appeal to Men's Warehouse to not close their Montreal factory. Some things deserve repetition.

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Last March, Texas-based men's apparel giant Men's Wearhouse -which owns Canadian retail chain Moores as well as MW Tux -announced it will close Golden Brand, its Montreal factory where suits for the company are made, leaving 540 workers out in the cold. Men's Wearhouse CEO George Zimmer claims they have no choice but to close the factory in order to "remain competitive"- this from a company that reported revenue of $2.1 billion and profits of $147 million last year. Something doesn't add up!

Golden Brand workers have already traveled to the company's headquarters in Houston, Texas and presented a petition to George Zimmer demanding that he keep their factory open. Now they are reaching out to the company's Board of Directors, who also have the power to save the Golden Brand workers' jobs. You may have already supported this campaign by sending Mr. Zimmeran email. Please take the time to send another message - this time to members of the Men's Wearhouse Board of Directors. Add your voice to help us convince these directors that the only responsible thing to do is to keep Golden Brand open!

Below are the Board of Directors to whom we are sending an email to:

George Zimmer; David Edwab; Rinaldo Brutoco; Deepak Chopra,M.D.; Larry Katzen; Michael L. Ray, Ph.D.; William B. Sechrest;and Sheldon I. Stein. You can take action on this alert either via email (please see directions below) or via the web at:

http://action.unitehere.org/campaign/goldenbrandfactory/85xdniw2r7787wjd?

Visit the web address below to tell your friends about this.

http://action.unitehere.org/campaign/goldenbrandfactory/forward/85xdniw2r7787wjd?

We encourage you to take action by August 10, 2008

Men's Wearhouse is a Socially Responsible Company? Prove it!

INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPOND VIA THE WEB:

If you have access to a web browser, you can take action on this alert by going to the following URL:

http://action.unitehere.org/campaign/goldenbrandfactory/85xdniw2r7787wjd?

INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPOND VIA EMAIL:

Just choose the "reply to sender" option on your email program. Your letter will be addressed and sent to:Men's Wearhouse

----THIS LETTER WILL BE SENT IN YOUR NAME----

Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],

Men's Wearhouse presents itself as a company that is committed to social responsibility, yet its plans to close Golden Brand Factory reveal the company's decision to prioritize greed over humanity. Men's Wearhouse is a profitable company and does not need to outsource North American Jobs. I hold the Directors of Men's Wearhouse accountable for the way the company treats its workers. Closing this plant will devastate 540 families unless you advise against this decision.Do the right thing and use your power as a Director to save these jobs.

----END OF LETTER TO BE SENT----

CANADIAN LABOUR:

FURTHER PRESSURE ON 'GOLDEN BRAND' AND A CONTEST TOO:

Molly has blogged previously about the situation of workers at the Golden Brand factory in Montreal, faced as they are by a closure of the plant. She has also blogged about the online campaign to keep the plant alive. Here's the latest on the effort of their union,UNITE HERE, to save the plant. Note that the union is offering a contest prize to their supporters. To learn more and join the campaign (and maybe win the wedding or graduation dress of your dreams) see the following links.

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UNITE HERE launches campaign and $1,000 contest to save factory
Workers at the Golden Brand suit factory in Montreal have launched a campaign to stop Moores and its US parent company The Men’s Wearhouse from shutting down their factory, eliminating 540 good jobs. The workers, represented by UNITE HERE, are urging customers not to rent wedding or graduation apparel from Men’s Wearhouse, MW Tux or Moores.

Moreover, they are offering $500 prizes in an eco-friendly and fair trade bridal contest and prom contest.
» Take action

» Contest details

» Facebook group

» Myspace page