Working for Workers: NYC Politicians Send a Message to Mrs. Green's Natural Market

Last month, NYC politicians sent a letter to Mrs. Green's Natural Market expressing their concern for their labor practices.  The company was federally charged earlier this year for unlawfully firing 8 workers who supported United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1500.  The workers had no prior records and were combined working at the company for over 50 years.  Workers were on a picket line for over 6 months until the company folded to public pressure settling the charges and rehiring workers with back pay.  

Although the company tried to "spin" the story and say they welcomed the workers back, if it wasn't for the tremendous community support, along with NLRB charges, workers would still be out on the picket line.

Mrs. Green's planned on opening a store in New York's West Village this Spring 2014, but there have been numerous delays.  The store is still not open (September 2014) and New York's West Village politicians want to ensure their new neighbor won't be restricting the rights of their workers like they have in their other stores.   Thanks to NY Senator Brad Hoylman, Assembly Member Deborah Glick and Council Member Corey Johnson,  for sending a letter to the Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Office of Mrs. Green’s Natural Market and standing up for retail workers.

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Walmart Workers and Supporters Plan for Largest Mobilization Since Black Friday

As calls to rebuild the economy with better jobs reverberate across the country, Walmart workers and their supporters announced the largest mobilization since Black Friday, set for Thursday, September 5.

The announcement comes as Walmart has failed to meet a Labor Day deadline to reinstate illegally fired and disciplined workers and publicly commit to improve wages and jobs. Thousands of workers and their supporters plan to protest on Thursday in over a dozen cities across the country.

Since June, Walmart has illegally disciplined nearly 80 workers, including fi ring 20 worker-leaders. More than 100 Unfair Labor Practice charges have been fi led with the NLRB against Walmart.

“Walmart, we cannot wait any longer for you to do the right thing for American workers. Our jobs should not be at risk when we speak out about improvements that would help our families and Walmart customers,” said a Cindy Murray a Walmart worker who was recently arrested for protesting at Walmart’s Washington, D.C. offices. 

“Walmart cannot silence our concerns,” said Brandon Garrett a former Walmart worker who was illegally fi red after going to Walmart’s annual shareholders meeting. “Our fight to get Walmart to publicly commit to providing better jobs is not just about improving the lives of our families. It’s about improving jobs for all American workers and for strengthening the economy for all of us.”

There are several ways to help support Walmart workers as they take action on September 5.

• Share the petition: Share and sign the petiton located at http://bit.ly/150trkD.

• Sign up for Thunderclap: Thunderclap is like a social media bomb, where members can donate their Facebook of Twitter account for one post or tweet to Thunderclap by giving the app access to their account for a small window of time and encourage other supporters to do the same. It will send out one tweet or post at the same time from everyone’s accounts in a compressed amount of time to be most-effective. Members can sign up for Thunderclap at http://bit.ly/13DXDbb.

• Spread the word on social media: Share any of the images located at http://bit.ly/17zqsEN or the video posted at http://bit.ly/19fR8K0 on Facebook.   Go to Twitter to show their support. Sample Tweet: #WalmartStrikers are drawing a line. Stand with them for a real wage & workers’ rights on Sept. 5th bit.ly/1cgXnPA @ChangeWalmart

• Actions: OUR Walmart is having actions on the ground across the country. All of those events are posted at the Action Network website at http://bit.ly/12IMmni.

NLRB Files Mores Charges Against Target for Conduct at Valley Stream store

The NLRB has filed more charges against Target, adding more charges to what is already a long running list of ways the super retailer violated labor laws in order to prevent employees from joining the UFCW.  Last June, Target intimidated workers by handing out flyers which raised questions such as "Will the Store Close if the Union Gets In?", they forced employees to watch a corny anti-union video,  and interrogated workers to the extent that they felt almost 'criminal-like' for supporting the union.  If that wasn't enough, Target also fired one of the leading 'pro-union' voices from Valley Stream, a mere 7-weeks after the union vote this past summer.

UFCW Local 1500 Special Projects Director and Target campaign Director Aly Waddy released the following statement:

"The NLRB is slowly recognizing Target manipulated the system, and intimidated their employees with interrogations and an intense propaganda campaign.  They [Target] used every tactic possible with no regard for the law from keeping the hardworking men and woman at Target from gaining respect at work.  It's reassuring [the NLRB filing more charges against Target] that their conduct and disregard for the law created a slanted atmosphere, making any shot for a fair election impractical.  It's a small step that this is not only recognized by us and the workers from Target Valley Stream, but the National Labor Relations Board."

Target Fires Pro-Union Worker 7-Weeks After Union Election

Tashawna Greene (middle), was fired 7-weeks after being a leading
pro-union voice at Valley Stream Target

By: Target Change

Aside from a new TV and microwave in a break room, Target Corp. has not changed. Not after a union election that depicted what life was like working for Target. Not after their anti-union video surfaced, illuminating what they really thing of workers banding together in order to better their lives. Not after the lies or threats. Not even after the Wall Street Journal reported on their controversial ‘sweatshop’ like factory in Northern Jordan where employees complained of rape, threats, physical violence and over 12-hour workdays. No, Target decided that they’re better off staying the same. Which is why two-weeks ago they fired Tashawna Greene, single mother of a 6-year old daughter, & a leading voice for change within Target in Valley Stream.

As a leading voice for change at Valley Stream Target, Ms.Greene would tell her co-workers they all deserved more respect at work.  She did this while remaining non-disruptive to business activity. Target claimed that Ms. Greene was fired for acting “in an overly hostile, disruptive manner that is inconsistent with Target's policies.” That's a convenient reason for Target. This is yet another repulsive act by a company who repeatedly shows they're not concerned about any repercussions for violating workers' rights.  They have fired Ms. Greene for one reason, her pro-union attitude. She was fired for believing she and her co-workers deserved more from their billion-dollar employer.  Is this the price Target workers must pay for standing up for themselves and fighting for what is right?  Ms. Greene never let her attitude towards the company affect her work. She said, “I believe I was fired because of my participation in the union campaign,” she continued, “Because I'm for the union, they wanted to get rid of me.”

She was fired almost immediately after a Local 1500 union organizer was seen dropping her off at work. The firing of Ms. Greene is another shallow, inconsiderate move by a company who has had nothing but opportunities to do right by their employees. Target continues to take these opportunities to change as opportunities to intimidate and diminish more rights for employees. Local 1500 has filed yet another Unfair Labor Practice Charge with the National Labor Relations Board alleging Ms. Greene was fired for activities with the union.  Target's scare tactics and intimidation continue, 7-weeks after the election in Valley Stream. It's sickening a company can go to this length.  "This won't stop us driving for change, this is what we need to change! This will only make us push harder," an anonymous Target worker said.

Please support Tashawna by signing the petition telling Target to Re-Hire her: http://www.change.org/petitions/manager-tell-target-to-re-hire-tashawna-greene-now

You can write Tashawna messages of support on the Facebook wall or at targetchangeny@gmail.com

 

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• Michelle Chen: Target Comes Under Fire Around the World (huffingtonpost.com)