AMERICAN LABOUR - RHODE ISLAND:

SUPPORT PROVIDENCE HOTEL WORKERS:

Workers at the Westin Providence Hotel in Rhode Island have been hit with unparalled employer demands. As part of the fight back the people involved have called for a boycott of the hotel. Here's the story from the Jobs With Justice network.

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Support Westin Providence Workers
The Westin Providence Hotel unilaterally imposed a twenty percent reduction in wages for all workers. They tripled employees' health insurance costs and significantly reduced employees' sick days, vacations, and holidays. Tell the Westin owners to stop using the economic crisis as an excuse to unnecessarily slash wages and benefits.
Tell me more

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Please go to this link to sign the following petition in support of the boycott called for by the hotel workers.

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Full Petition Text:
We stand in solidarity with the Westin Providence Hotel workers. We will stand behind the boycott called by the Westin Providence workers and will support any strike called by the workers.

We call on the Westin Providence Hotel to respect their workers and to respect the work that made the Westin Providence Hotel a success.

AMERICAN ANARCHIST MOVEMENT-RHODE ISLAND:

PROVIDENCE ANARCHIST BOOKFAIR:

The following announcement has been making its rounds of the 'anarchonet' in the last few days. It's the announcement of the upcoming (August 15) Providence, Rhode Island anarchist bookfair. No doubt I wish them the best of luck and hope that the event goes well, but still...there are some things that just have to be said. When I was bitching and complaining to one fellow at the end of my day's tabling at our recent bookfair here in Winnipeg about the poor attendance this fellow(an IWW member who had previously been involved with a, platformist organization) replied to my comparison of our event to Montreal and Edmonton (who, I swear begin planning for next year as soon as they get over their hangovers) with the obvious, "but they are organized anarchists".

What is the problem here ? The idea of anarchist bookfairs continues to grow, and they are a great tactic, but far too often all the planning is being done at the last possible moment. A year is the proper timeline for such an event- not a month and a half. The Providence people have started to send out their calls now, and they still don't have their website up and running (they had one for last year). Can we say "cart before the horse" ?

Plainly, if you want the maximum possible effect you have to plan such things long before they happen. You also have to have an idea of what should be done first, second and third, etc..I say all this with the maximum possible sympathy to all anarchist bookfairs, but with the hope that they will think about being as effective as possible. Here's the announcement from the comrades down in Rhode Island.

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PROVIDENCE ANARCHIST BOOKFAIR !
FUN! BOOKS ! BEER ! DANCING ! REVOLUTION IN THE AIR !

August 15th 1pm to 1am on

Empire Street, Providence, Rhode Island
The annual Providence Anarchist Bookfaire is back again this year and we want you to come on by and enjoy the events, get some books and participate.

The bookfair is set up during a street festival *Foo Fest* put on by a local art and community center called AS220. This years festival has changed with a 5 dollar cover and a family friendly focus in the afternoon. Bring the kids!

In the evening local bands will be playing as the festival takes a street party atmosphere, come enjoy the music, the books and comradeship.

In the past there have been workshops and interactive presentations on radical and revolutionary topics , please feel free to submit workshop proposals or hit us up to get a table.

We are excited to be putting on the bookfair and hope you are excited to come.

Be on the lookout for more information and fliers to help us promote for more info , questions or suggestions please email Juice at thematch@riseup.net
Thanks and see ya soon !
* Please forward widely*

AMERICAN LABOUR:

FREE SPEECH, BUT NOT FOR FIREFIGHTERS:

The following item about the machinations of the Mayor of Providence Rhode Island comes from the AFL-CIO Blog. It seems this good politico thinks that workers have to Register" before they can picket the little party he is throwing for other two bit head honchos (the US Conference of mayors). Nice of the AFL-CIO to notice his party affiliation. Too bad they have such unreserved trust in the federal administration of the same party. One wonders about whether Obama and crew will be any different in situations in the years to come.

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Free Speech in Rhode Island? Gotta Register:
by Tula Connell, Jun 12, 2009
Providence, R.I., wants protesters to register in advance. It even has provided a special online registration form and “Public Viewing Guidelines” (h/t to Pat Crowley).

How thoughtful.

Seems the upcoming U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting set for that city has put the spotlight on Providence Mayor David Cicilline’s seven-year-long battle against union members. Cicilline refuses to bargain a fair contract, forcing the union into arbitration over each contract, and even going so far as to introduce anti-union ordinances and calling for similar state legislation. The Democratic mayor—yep, a Dem—couches his attacks against members of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 799 as saving taxpayer money. In reality, as of 2008, Cicilline’s mounting legal bills against the union hit $1 million, with the city losing every court decision.

Now, Cicilline, who lobbied hard for the conference to take place in Providence, has national egg on his face: The White House announced that Vice President Joe Biden and a delegation of top administration officials—including Labor Secretary Hilda Solis—will not cross the Fire Fighters picket line to speak at the conference. Quite a black eye for a city expecting 1,200 people from around the country, including 180 mayors and their families. And for a mayor who’s watching his aspirations for governor’s office tank along with his sinking approval ratings.
And so:

The city, foreseeing a large turnout of picketing firefighters, police officers, and other advocacy groups, is asking protesters to register for the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the annual gathering of mayors that is coming to the city starting Friday.

Payback, anyone?

Lest the public worry about that pesky First Amendment, Peter Gaynor, director of the city’s Emergency Management Agency, assures the public that the city wants to honor the free speech of protesters “while also ensuring the safety of those who live, work and visit the city while the conference is in town.”

The mayor’s draconian measures continue his long line of attacks against union workers—the same workers who, by the way, believed his promises to negotiate a fair contract and so helped elect him in his first run for mayor. Yet, since that 2002 election, Cicilline consistently has opposed fire fighters. As IAFF points out:

Local 799’s last contract expired in 2005 and Providence fire fighters have been forced to arbitrate their last seven collective agreements. Mayor Cicilline has fought Local 799 in arbitration and lost nearly every battle. The mayor has fostered additional ill-will by introducing state legislation and city ordinances against Providence fire fighters.

Kudos to the White House, where press secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters:

Because of the circumstances surrounding the conference, administration officials will not be participating in this year’s meeting….We have always respected picket lines, and administration officials will not cross this one.

IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger said:

We appreciate the Obama administration’s support of fire administration’s unqualified support for workers and organized labor.

Local 799 President Paul Doughty says fire fighters and other local union members plan to picket throughout the four-day Mayor’s conference.

We tried to settle our differences with the mayor, but he continues to antagonize the hard-working fire fighters of Local 799, so we will use this opportunity to shed light on the mayor’s epic mismanagement and his disdain for workers.

In 2008, 114 on-duty firefighters died while doing their jobs, up from 102 on-duty firefighter deaths in 2007, both sharp increases over the 89 firefighter fatalities in 2006.

It’s real easy to throw the power of the mayor’s office around to stall public employee contracts. Not so easy to get up and do a job where your life is at risk every day.

This is a cross-post from the Firedoglake blog.

AMERICAN LABOUR:

FURTHER SOLIDARITY WITH THE WORKERS OF THE COLIBRI GROUP:

The situation of the laid off workers of the Rhode Island jewelry manufacturer Colibri Group has been mentioned before here at Molly's Blog. Yesterday the receivers for the now bankrupt company attempted to auction off the assets, and workers and their supporters tried to block the sale by civil disobedience. 13 workers and supporters were arrested. The workers, supported by Fuerza Laboral and the Jobs With Justice group are still calling for the workers to be paid their due compensation before other creditors. The following is an appeal from the JwJ for you to stand in solidarity with this demand.

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ACT NOW! Laid of Workers Arrested as Factory Assets Auctioned Off:‏
Tell Founders Equity to Give Workers their Due

Take action now! http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/foundersequity_mar/wukd7sdrl7wnxd7d?

Shirley Samayoa worked at the Colibri Group for 27 years, making jewelry and cigarette lighters. Yesterday, as her former employer auctioned off the company's assets, she and twelve other coworkers and allies sat down to say "enough is enough."

"I was one of the many Colibri workers protesting at the Colibri factory on the 19th. Workers have rights and sometimes they have to say enough is enough! We are THE COLIBRI WORKERS FOR RIGHTS AND JUSTICE and we will continue to fight for our rights and the rights of other workers in the same situation."

As bidders drove into the company parking lot, about 200 pickets greeted them with chants of "We'll go away when we get our pay," and "Rise Together! Stay Together!" In four separate waves workers sat down in the road blocking access to the cars before they were handcuffed and taken away in police vans.

In mid-January, Colibri's primary investor, NY-based Founders Equity assigned Colibri into State Receivership, leaving 280 Rhode Island workers unemployed without notice. Since then, Colibri Workers for Rights and Justice has been demanding 60 days pay and 60 days benefits, what would have been due them had Colibri Group followed the federal WARN Act. They are also asking for severance based on years worked.

"I have a value. I was their worker. Fouders Equity has to do the right thing!" said Samayoa.

Please support Colibri Workers for Rights and Justice by taking a few seconds to send a free fax 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.

With so many families struggling with unemployment and pending eviction or foreclosure, Colibri Workers are organizing to ensure that no other workers go through what they've gone through.

"They didn't warn us. It's not right what they did. There's a whole group of us were left with nothing, and we have families,"said Anabell Santiago, who began working at Colibri in 1994.

"I want people to know that if this happens to them, there's something they can do," said Valeria de Leon, a veteran at Colibri for 19 years.

After the closing, the workers, who did not have union, organized with the help of local workers rights center Fuerza Laboral and also with the help of Rhode Island Jobs with Justice, the community labor coalition.

Earlier this month, the Providence City Council and the Rhode Island House of Representatives passed resolutions supporting the efforts of the workers to get the pay and benefits they are entitled to.

TAKE ACTION: http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/foundersequity_mar/wukd7sdrl7wnxd7d?

The Fight Continues:

Colibri Workers will continue to demand justice from Founders Equity and they will fight the fight beyond their own campaign.

Shirley Samayoa says, "We represent the average worker that has made this country strong. We have met and talked to many people across the state that are supporting us with our fight. Many workers have come forward and say that they have recently been laid off by their companies. The companies have told them that they will get their compensation and medical continued---they will not be treated like the Colibri workers. If this is the only result of our fight--our sit down--I will feel that I have won.

People are watching us and listening to us. We have a name. We are THE COLIBRI WORKERS FOR RIGHTS AND JUSTICE and we will continue to fight for our rights and the rights of other workers in the same situation."

Kelley Fusaro, a Colibri worker, told a local TV reporter that this isn't the end of the protest, "Colibri doesn't treat us right. It's going to teach companies going forward they can't pull this on their workers"

You can take action on this alert either via email (please see directions below) or via the web at:

http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/foundersequity_mar/wukd7sdrl7wnxd7d?

Visit the web address below to tell your friends about this

.http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/foundersequity_mar/forward/wukd7sdrl7wnxd7d?

We encourage you to take action by March 21, 2010

Tell Founders Equity to Give Workers their Due

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://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/foundersequity_mar/wukd7sdrl7wnxd7d? INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPOND VIA EMAIL:

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

Mr. Warren H. Haber

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

Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],

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 37years 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.

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

AMERICAN ANARCHIST MOVEMENT:

NORTHEAST ANARCHIST NETWORK GATHERING:

The following item from the Anarkismo website is an announcement of an upcoming general assembly of the Northeast Anarchist Network this November 29. Please consult the website of the NEAN for further details.

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7th Northeast Anarchist Network General Assembly:
north america / mexico anarchist movement anarchist communist event Sunday November Saturday November 29th , Sunday November 30th, 2008
www.NeAnarchist.Net

*Forward widely, tell your friends, bring your comrades*

Calling all Northeast anarchists and anti-authoritarians,Join us at the 7th Northeast Anarchist Network General Assembly Saturday November 29th , Sunday November 30th, 2008.

Northeast Anarchist Network: Gather in assembly in Providence, Rhode Island

NEAN is a Network of anarchist organizations and individuals, formed in February 2007, that stretches from D.C. to Maine. We are glad to announce a finalization of plans to host the general assembly of our network here in Providence. Please come to Providence and join together in two days of meeting, planning, workshops, and conversation and dialogue.

RSVP NOW !

!Housing!

To help us better accommodate everyone, if you are planning on attending will you please email back to me this survey.

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Name

Phone

Email

Do you need sleeping arrangements?

Is couch space okay?

Is floor space okay?

Do you have any allergies?

Do you have any other housing specific needs?

Where are you coming from?

How many days will you be in?

What days?

Do you need travel arrangements/transportation help?

What is your expected time of arrival?

What is your expected time of departure?

Do you need childcare?

Do you have any special needs or requests?

Any additional notes or comments?

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$ AGENDA $

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*Do you have ideas or items for discussion on either Saturday or Sunday? The agenda is of course open and to be finalized before our meeting as is our tradition.

*Please respond to the list or avocado@riseup.net with agenda points, and response to the following:

*Would you be interested in a workshop on the strengths of organizing?

(From activism to organizing with Camilo Viverios ,

What is the difference between activism and organizing ? Although our work may incorporate different approaches (self help, service, electoral, advocacy, mobilization) organizing most effectively builds collective power to shift power relations. We need to define the difference between activist strategies and organizing strategies to avoid paternalistic recruitment efforts and ensure our organizing efforts go beyond rhetoric. By exploring different theories of change, we will highlight ways to transition from activism to organizing. )

www.NEAnarchist.Net
Related Link: http://www.NeAnarchist.net

AMERICAN LABOUR:

PROVIDENCE IWW RALLY AGAINST POLICE BRUTALITY:

In August of 2007 the Providence Rhode Island Branch of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) held a peaceful solidarity picket meant to protest the fact that local Jackie's Galaxy restaurant was buying supplies from a supplier known to use sweatshop labour. The march en route to the picket was attacked by the local police, and serious injury resulted to one protester, Alexandra Svoboda. Tomorrow the IWW plans to hold another march to commemorate this event and to highland the police brutality used against this labour event. The following article is taken from the A-Infos website and slightly edited to correct typos. See the main IWW website for further developments.

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US, IWW* RALLY AGAINST POLICE BRUTALITY SUNDAY PROVIDENCE RI:

Hi friends, please come in solidarity with Alexandra Svoboda and the Providence IWW as we rally in commemoration of the one year anniversary of the police attack on Alexandra and the Providence IWW's picket line!

---- We need YOUR SOLIDARITY to make the phrase "an injury to one is an injury to all" a living reality!

---- Never forget http://jonathanmcintosh.smugmug.com/gallery/3293537

Any questions or if you need directions please call Justin Kelley at 508 367 6434

---- Please join us this Sunday (august 10th ) at 2pm, at Donigian Park off Valley St Providence RI, [ map http://tinyurl.com/6dzrrb ] as we celebrate the tenacious recovery of Alex, and rally against police brutality

.Say no to police brutality and political repression! Yes to building a new world in the shell of the old!

Solidarity donations are gladly accepted at PO box 5795, Providence, RI 02903 with checks made out to Providence IWW

Full press release:

On August 11 2007 the Providence branch of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) held a peaceful solidarity picket down Mineral Spring Avenue in North Providence to Jackie's Galaxie restaraunt. The Providence IWW held the picket to bring attention to the fact that Galaxie owner Jackie Cho refused to drop Queens, NY based HWH/Dragonland as his supplier. Cho refused even after the sweatshop and union-busting conditions endured by IWW workers at HWH were revealed to him.

En route to the North Providence Galaxie location, North Providence Police officers arrested Providence IWW members Alexandra Svoboda and Jason Friedmutter. During the arrest the North Providence officers also pepper sprayed several peaceful and compliant marchers. Alexandra Svoboda sustained serious injuries to her left knee while three North Providence police officers arrested her. Svoboda underwent emergency surgery the night of Aug. 11 as had three other operations in the next two weeks to prevent amputation as well as to treat a torn popliteal artery in her knee, a fractured tibia and fibia, multiple torn ligaments, and tears in both meniscus as well as nerve damage from her left knee down.

On August 28th 2007 the IWW held a peaceful, positive rally at North Providence High School garnering community support for Alex and condemning the tactics and actions of the NPPD.

On August 10 of this year, the IWW has scheduled a celebration and rally one day before the one year anniversary of the Aug. 11 IWW labor picket and the injury of Svoboda. The Providence IWW plans to celebrate Svoboda's recovery thus far as well as her still deep commitment to social justice and labor issues. The IWW also plans to call attention to the acts of Police Brutality that have, and continue to effect people all over RI, and the world. The celebration and rally is to be held August 10th 2008 at Donigian Park on Valley St. (at the intersection of Atwells Ave.) at 2pm, featuring music, speakers and a community gathering.

Svoboda has not been able to work for the past eleven months and has been undergoing intensive physical therapy since her release from the hospital last year. She has a series of surgeries tentatively scheduled for the fall of 2008 to begin to repair the ligaments and fractures in her knee. Donations to help support Alex and for the IWW Legal Defense Fund may be sent to the Providence IWW; P.O. Box 5795; Providence, RI 02903.

Alexandra Svoboda is a resident of Providence, RI and current member of the Providence branch of the Industrial Workers of the World. Until her injury she was a full time student at CCRI and worked at a local cafe. Jason Friedmutter is a resident of Providence, RI, a current member of the Providence branch of the Industrial Workers of the World, and works in the construction industry.

The Providence IWW is a local branch of the world-wide Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) with international headquarters in Cincinnati, OH. The IWW is a grassroots, worker organized, industrial union, advocating workplace democracy. It's motto is "An Injury to One is an Injury to All."

IMMIGRANTS:

COMMUNITY FIGHTS BACK AGAINST DEPORTATIONS IN RHODE ISLAND:

The following is from the Anarkismo website, but it was originally published on the NEFAC website. The term "ICE" in the story below refers to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. A nasty acronym for a nasty group of people.

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ICE Raid in RI, the People Respond

7/15/2008

Over 150 community members rallied at the ICE office in downtown Providence where many immigrants were held after a raid today. More than 30 janitorial workers were at several State buildings.

The 'La Red(Network-Molly) de Defensa' rapid response network set up by the Olneyville Neighborhood Association, went into affect, calling out hundreds of migrant people, union members, community groups, clergy and progressive individuals from all over the Providence area.

The protesters made human blockades at the exits of the facility, using direct action to delay and resist the transport of the imprisoned immigrant people. We made a strong show of community power and indignation to fascistic immigration policy.

We will continue to stand together to resist the criminalization of migrant people! Stay alert for updates on how to help bring justice for the detainees, and continue to resist the criminalization of immigrant people.

No One is Illegal!
http://nefac.net/en/node/2411