In November of 2009, the
IWW set up shop in Minneapolis. Similar to their
Starbucks campaign, organizers set up the
Jimmy John's Workers Union, and began attempting to unionize the employees of local franchises of the sandwich chain,
"seeking a pay increase to above minimum wage, consistent scheduling and minimum shift lengths, regularly scheduled breaks, sick days, no-nonsense workers compensation for job-related injuries, an end to sexual harassment at work, and basic fairness on the job.". When local franchise owners MikLin Enterprises refused to meet with employees,
union organizers scheduled a National Labor Relations Board election. As allegations of
dirty tricks came out, the union lost in a
stunningly close vote. The IWW pressed the NLRB to look into the alleged misconduct, and they did.
The earlier vote has been nullified as a part of a settlement between MikLin and the NLRB.
The union is resuming its push for official recognition.
posted by Subcommandante Cheese
on Jan 11, 2011 -
84 comments
Big Brother Nixes Happy Hour National Labor Relations Board Green Lights Ban on Off-Duty Fraternizing Among Co-Workers
It is a regular pastime for co-workers to chat during a coffee break, at a union hall, or over a beer about workplace issues, good grilling recipes, and celebrity gossip. Yet a recent ruling by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) allows employers to ban off-duty fraternizing among co-workers, severely weakening the rights of free association and speech, and violating basic standards of privacy for America's workers.
posted by jackspace
on Jul 29, 2005 -
50 comments
The Triangle Factory Fire of 1911. 'This site includes selected information on a terrible and unnecessary tragedy involving the death of many young working women in a New York City sweatshop at the beginning of the 20th century and the resulting investigations and reforms. '
posted by plep
on Jul 22, 2004 -
7 comments
The Work Less Party of Vancouver seeks to regain a little sanity for the North American employee. A 32-hour work week is not a very realistic fantasy for the information age. But at least
someone is standing up for the right to go home earlier.
posted by PrinceValium
on Mar 29, 2004 -
47 comments
Sweatshop-free T-shirts "We are not about "made in USA". We are about American values. We believe in the American dream and want to do more for our customers and employees.
We are pro-workers rights— whether in Los Angeles or anywhere in the world. We manufacture in the United States not because we are crazy flag fanatics but because it is the most vibrant T-shirt market in the world and therefore the most efficient place to manufacture our T-shirts."
In the middle of one of the worst economic climates in decades, with (actual) unemployment near 9 percent, an American company with the courage to compete against the Global Sweatshop economy.
Is Politically-driven consumer markets the future? Or do you really need that Nike logo?
Could "Sweatshop-free IT Services" be far behind?
posted by reality
on Jul 4, 2003 -
40 comments
Just DON'T do it. In findings that Nike admitted were "concerning", the Community Aid Abroad-Oxfam Australia report revealed that, not only were female workers only paid $2 per day, despite legal entitlement to menstrual leave each month, they were forced to pull down their pants in front of the factory doctor to claim that leave.
posted by murray_kester
on Sep 4, 2000 -
5 comments
