Southern Oregon Jobs With Justice Is Here

Local Coalition Earns National Recoginition With Local Charter
SOJwJ recent approval for charter application to the National Board validates the more than two years SOJwJ has worked in the Rogue Valley in solidarity with other organizations to make an economic impact.

Begining with an explatory committee in 2005, SOJwJ followed the lead of other Jobs with Justice coalitions, including Central Oregon JwJ and Eugene Springfield Solidarity Network (ESSN)

SOJwJ has recruited 14 organizational members and over 200 members returning pledge cards.

LABOR ORGANIZATIONS

• Southern Oregon Central Labor Council
• SEIU #503 Statewide
• SEIU #503, District 4
• Oregon Nurses Association/RVMC
• American Postal Workers Union/Southern Oregon
• American Federation of Government Employees

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

• Oregon Action
• Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center
• Jackson County Pacific Green Party
• DUDE-Disabled United in Direct Empowerment
• Oregon Fair Trade Campaign
• KSKQ-low power fm radio
• Citizens for Peace and Justice
• Southern Oregon Socialist Action

As stated on its website, SOJwJ’s mission is to improve working people’s standard of living, fight for job security, and protect workers’ right to organize.

Whereas two organizations might disagree on principles, such as emphasizing environment instead of labor or vice versa, coalitions unite organizations that disagree by agreeing on the spirit of principles.

Depending upon the philosophy that it takes more than individual effort to impact economic change, SOJwJ is a non-profit coalition of labor unions, student organizations, faith-based groups and other community organizations. SOJwJ’s Chair Wes Brain states, “A coalition like SOJwJ strengthens its participating organizations and facilitates economic change.”

Fighting for economic change is often an uphill battle. SOJwJ brings together labor unions, religious congregations, and community organizations to support the civil and economic rights of all working people – especially the right to a decent standard of living, the right to a stable job, and the right to organize.

Members of SOJwJ have marched with teachers from Rogue River School District during their strike, participated in Ashland’s Fourth of July Parade and organized two Anne Feeney benefit concerts. SOJwJ holds its meetings the second Tuesday of every month, 7:00 PM at the Central Point.