KEEP READING ABOUT LABOR LAW VIOLATIONS BY THE ASHLAND FOOD CO-OP

The environment of open hostility and infringement of employee rights under federal labor law necessitated the filing of an unfair labor practice charge against Ashland Food Co-op in October of 2011. The ultimate charge listed 16 counts of actions by management or Board of Directors that the Union believed violated federal labor law. “I was shocked to see the Co-op follow in the footsteps of countless corporate employers who use fear and misinformation to dissuade workers from taking an active role in improving their workplace,” said Anne Dietz, Local 555 Director of Organizing. The Union also filed a petition for a secret election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board. The Board’s regional office in Seattle placed a hold on the election petition given the ULP charge. According to the Board’s Casehandling Manual for elections, it is a well-established policy of the Board to “block” elections where allegations, if proven, would suggest employer conduct that interferes with employee free choice.

After months of careful investigation and evidence gathering, Local 555 has learned that the NLRB’s Seattle Office has found sufficient evidence against the management of AFC on 13 of the counts. Evidence supported the following counts: Interrogating employees about their union support, sentiments and/or activities; making coercive statements to employees about the union and also making intimidating statements to employees to discourage union activity. AFC management, to the Union’s knowledge, long refused to settle the case and take actions to make a free and fair election possible. It is only after the Union and union advocates supplied substantial information in support of its charge that AFC management finally appeared willing to settle its case.

“We want AFC to honor federal labor law and we want AFC to honor the vote of a majority of employees whether to form a union or not,” said Katie Hughes, a Front End employee at AFC. “A free and fair election is impossible when AFC is using threats, punishment and incentives to sway the vote. We first tried to stop the Co-op’s interference through our in-house methods. We filed a charge with the NLRB reluctantly only after what we believe to be rampant and unrelenting violations of the law. We now hope that AFC will take appropriate actions, remedy the violations of federal law and safeguard employee free choice.”

As details of the settlement emerge workers can be found planning the next stages of their campaign in an effort to reunify their co-workers in an environment absent of law violations and intimidation. For further updates please go to  http://www.justiceforcoopworkers.com.

Contact:
Anne Dietz
UFCW Local 555
503-840-7104 (cell)
503-620-3816 (fax)
 adietz@ufcw555.org

*************************************************************************************************
HERE ARE THE 13 “COMPLAINTS” SUBSTANTIATED BY THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD THIS WEEK:
*************************************************************************************************

Within the past six months, the Employer, by its supervisors, agents and/or Board of Directors, has interfered with, restrained, and coerced its employees in the exercise of their Section 7 rights by its actions including:

1. Recognizing, imposing, dominating, or otherwise supporting a labor organization through the recognition and maintenance of the “Staff Council”.

2. In the alternative, the Employer has violated the Act by telling employees that the Staff Council is their union, or is a de facto union, when the Staff Council is not, in fact, a legitimate labor organization.

3. Soliciting employee grievances in response to an organizing campaign.

4. Remedying employee grievances to discourage employee support for the Union.

5. Granting benefits to employees to discourage employee support for the Union.

6. Engaging in polling, surveillance, and/or interrogation by conducting meetings where employees were directed to share their grievances and sentiments about the union organizing.

7. Promulgating and maintaining a rule prohibiting union related conversations in work areas while allowing other non-work related conversations in work areas.

8. Prohibiting pro-union activities by employees while allowing anti-union activities by employees.

9. Interrogating employees about their union support, sentiments and/or activities.

10. Making coercive statements to employees about the Union.

11. Making intimidating statements to employees to discourage union activity.

12. Making implied threats to employees that more severe discipline would be given if the Union becomes the representative of employees.

13. Circulating an anti-union petition and/or solicited employee signatures on an anti-union petition.

• February 15 – 16, 2012 – Southern Oregon University

Solidarity IV Potluck & Trade Justice Road Show

Solidarity IV is the fourth in a series of community gatherings at Southern Oregon University.  A solidarity potluck begins at 5 pm.  At 6:30 pm the Oregon Fair Trade Campaign presents the “Trade Justice Road Show”. Learn about what the massive new Trans-Pacific Free Trade Agreement means for our community, and how we can help prevent this “NAFTA of the Pacific.”

Wednesday, February 16, 2012
Southern Oregon University
Rogue River Room

The Trans-Pacific FTA is being negotiated behind closed doors between a dozen countries throughout the Pacific Rim. Journalists, most Members of Congress and the people most likely to be impacted by these negotiations are barred from reviewing the U.S. proposals, but approximately 600 corporate lobbyists certified as official “citizen advisors” have regular access to both the negotiating documents and the negotiators.

Transparency: ‘Release the Text’ Rally at Senator Wyden’s Office

Feb. 16 – 12 Noon
Federal Courthouse
310 West 6th St – Medford

 Join us in Medford as we send a message to Senator Ron Wyden that we will not accept another business-as-usual trade pact. Wyden sits on trade committees and can insist on public transparency.  We will be presenting a letter to Wyden telling him to “Show the Text” and make the contents of these job-killing trade bills available to the public before Congress votes on them.

Bring your signs, your voice and your enthusiasm

… the rally begins at 12 noon.

Panel discussion with Margaret Flowers and Kevin Zeese

Nationally recognized organizers with Occupy Washington D.C., Dr. Margaret Flowers of Physicians for a National Health Program and Kevin Zeese of the Prosperity Agenda will part of a public discussion on universal health care, rampant militarism and the all-out assault on the working class and poor.

Thursday, February 16, 2012
Southern Oregon University
Student Union Arena
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

  Join Southern Oregon Jobs with Justice, Occupy Ashland , Oregon Action and SOU UN Club to welcome  the Free Trade Road Show and nationally recognized organizers and to participate in public discussions, build solidarity and encourage direct action on a variety of topics including Universal Health Care, the Occupy Movement, Peace, Social Justice.  Learn what WE can all do to encourage positive change.

Then, a musical fundraiser, starring the Rogue Suspects, for the ‘Medford 6’ Occupiers, arrested 12-5-11, for seeking representation from their Congressman, Greg Walden.

6:30 p.m. January 5th at Roscoe’s BBQ in Phoenix

Who: The Rogue Suspects, Pete Herzog and Patrick Tovatt for “Occupy Walden”
What: A fundraiser for the “Medford 6” to help cover fines and future actions
When: 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, January 5, 2012
Where: Roscoe’s BBQ, 117 S. Main St., Phoenix, OR
Why: Because we, the 99%, are not being represented by Rep. Greg Walden, R-OR, the sitting U.S. 2nd District Congressman, and we need to expose the fact that he only listens to and votes for the 1%, the wealthiest Americans and those who run the largest corporations in the U.S.

Who are the ‘Medford 6’?: On December 5, 2011, six local folks occupied the Medford office of Greg Walden, intending to stay there until they were arrested in an act of civil disobedience — to put a spotlight on Walden’s record and on his lack accountability and citizen access. This was a coordinated action with simultaneous rallies in Medford, Bend, Klamath Falls, La Grande and Hood River. Part of the plan was to have sit-ins with arrests at Walden’s offices in Medford and Bend, which worked like a charm. Eight protesters were arrested at Walden’s Bend office, making a total of 14 arrests during Occupy Walden on December 5th. The six arrested in Medford are: Mary Madsen of Medford, Herb and Deborah Rothschild of Phoenix, Ivend Holen of Medford, Daniel Guy of Medford and Allen Hallmark of Grants Pass.

You too can be part of the ‘Medford 6’: We want every person who resents the way Greg Walden has conducted himself in office to feel like she or he too is one of the Medford 6. While you may not be able to spend all day in Walden’s office or rally outside on a cold December day, we hope that you support what the Medford 6 did and what groups like Citizens for Peace & Justice, Occupy Medford, Peace House, Occupy Ashland, Veterans for Peace – Rogue Valley Chapter 156, and Women’s International League for Peace & Freedom – Ashland chapter, do to help represent you in planning and carrying out these kinds of actions.

That’s why we hope that you will make plans to attend our fundraiser on January 5th, throw a couple of bucks into a bucket and maybe buy one of the special T-shirts that we’ll be selling at the event and on-line. You can also mail a check made out to Peace House, indicating that it’s for the Medford 6, and mail it to Peace House at P.O. Box 524, Ashland, OR 97520. Your donations will be used to help pay those fines. Any money left over will be deposited in a separate account to help finance future acts of civil disobedience.

Earlier that day, Jan. 5th, at 1:45, the Medford 6 will be in Medford Municipal Court to learn what the judge will fine each of them for their civil disobedience. We will be sending out info about an Occupy Walden rally at 1:30 p.m. in front of Medford City Hall where the Municipal Court is located. While the Medford 6 are inside having their day in court, we invite you to be outside with signs and banners telling citizens of the 2nd Congressional District that Greg Walden’s representation in Washington is a sham.

Background Links and Sources:

Click to see videos of what the Medford 6 each said about their civil disobedience:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9C532C0FB9DDBB32&feature=plcp
1. http://occupymedfordoregon.org/2011/12/occupy-arrests-press-release/#axzz1fnhbnkkP
2. http://www.ktvl.com/articles/bend-1202880-police-protesters.html
3. http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20111206%2FNEWS%2F112060324%2F-1%2FNEWSMAP
4. http://www.ktvz.com/news/29928771/detail.html
5. http://occupymedfordoregon.org/
6. http://occupybend.org/
7. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Occupy-La-Grande/239267486131424?sk=wall&filter=12
8. http://occupythegorge.org/?page_id=76
9. http://www.occupyashlandoregon.org/

Sarah Weintraub

A speaking tour called “How Vermont Won Health Care For All” will move through Southern Oregon.  In June, 2010, Vermont signed into law a commitment to create a statewide, universal health care system.  A member of the Vermont Workers Center will be in Ashland to discuss their three-year campaign that convinced the Vermont legislature to declare health care is a human right.

Sarah Weintraub is a member and staff organizer at the Vermont Workers Center. Sarah has been organizing in communities all across the state as part of the Healthcare Is a Human Right Campaign, which celebrated a major victory for grassroots organizing last year as Vermont became the first state to commit to a universal healthcare system.  Sarah also helped initiate the VWC’s People’s University for Liberation and Learning (PULL) to build leadership skills and critical analysis with our base through popular and political education.

Sarah will be part of a presentation on Wednesday, December 14th from 7 pm to 9 pm. at the Rogue Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 87 4th St. in Ashland.

The Vermont Workers Center tour is organized by the five Oregon chapters of Jobs with Justice. For more information contact Southern Oregon Jobs with Justice at www.sojwj.org or call 541-482-6988.

Download Flyer

“They definitely have some sort of role in all of this,” said Gene Pelham, president of Rogue Federal Credit Union, whose seven operating branches have seen a significant jump in the number of opened personal accounts since the occupy protests spread to Southern Oregon three weeks ago.

“We did actually see a spike “… and it’s pretty significant,” Pelham said.

Pelham said from Sept. 1 to Oct. 15, the branches combined to open 1,000 new accounts, about 300 more than they would normally open in that period. He said the credit union’s Ashland branch opened an “impressive” 34 new accounts in one day, on Oct. 6, the second day of the Occupy Ashland protest.

“They’ve told me stories that it was crazy in there that day,” Pelham said. “They were slammed “… I guess we had lines of people coming from the protest to open new accounts.”

Pelham said any individual branch typically opens about two or three new accounts a day. The Oct. 6 spike was the highest at any RFCU branch for that period, but the number of accounts being opened has remained unusually high since the beginning of October, Pelham said.

“We’re excited that new customers are getting a chance to experience the services that Rogue Federal Credit Union has to offer,” he said.

“Of course, we never want that due to the ill will of someone else,” Pelham said. “But it’s nice that consumers have a choice of financial institutions and they’re deciding on us.”

Protesters, who have been occupying the sidewalk in front of Ashland’s Chase Bank for every business day since Oct. 5, have been advocating for people to pull their money out of Chase and other large banks, and to put it in local credit unions.

“I did it,” said Gene Burnett, 54, of Ashland, a longtime customer of Bank of America. “I’m moving the vast majority of my money to Rogue (Federal) Credit Union.”

Burnett said at least for now, he will keep a few hundred dollars in an open checking account at Bank of America, and will wait to move another chunk of money he has in a certificate of deposit there, to avoid fees for closing it prematurely.

Burnett said he feels more comfortable with his money in the credit union, because he knows the money has a better chance of staying in the Rogue Valley when it’s lent out by the institution.

“I’ll be doing the same thing,” said Mara Owens, 43, of Ashland. “I’m just tied up with U.S. Bank right now.”

Owens said she will eventually move her money to the Ashland RFCU.

Carrie Nelson, assistant manager of Chase in Ashland, said she could not comment on whether the protests have had any negative impacts on the branch.

Chase protest organizer Robbie Lindauer, 42, said 91 people have told him that they will, or already have, taken their money out of Chase bank since the protest started.

That number couldn’t be confirmed with Chase, as media representatives for the bank did not return phone messages.

Not all local credit unions are seeing a significant increase, however.

David Elmer, president of First Community Credit Union, of which Southern Oregon Federal Credit Union is an affiliate, said although the last three months show a steady increase in the number of new accounts being opened through its Southern Oregon branches, there is no noticeable spike.

“We are actively opening hundreds of new accounts every month,” he said, “but it’s nothing I can equate directly to what’s going on right now with the occupy protests.”

Although protesters in front of Chase each business day generally number fewer than 10, Lindauer said hearing news about accounts being opened at local credit unions and dropped from big banks gives him the energy and momentum to continue the effort.

“It’s been tough,” he said, “but every day someone has been out here. “… We’re still here, and we still want the bank closed.”

Sam Wheeler is a reporter for the Ashland Daily Tidings. Reach him at 541-499-1470 or email swheeler@dailytidings.com.

http://3bl.me/7b7evp

Move your money today!!!

The only reason most people stay with the big banks is out of convenience. But if you consider the money and time you will save once you move to a local financial institution, it only makes sense to move your money.

Download the .PDF and find out how your bank ranks…

As financial regulatory reform works its way through Congress, some big banks are nervous about new rules and regulations. Instead of being worried about the government, though, they should probably be worried about their customers. According to a recent poll, 35 percent of people would gladly leave their big bank if it were easier. Why? The megabanks charge too many fees.

Over 35% would switch if there was no cost or inconvenience. It’s really hard to grow your customer base when you have so many disgruntled customers (community banks, credit unions and online banks don’t have nearly as many unhappy customers). Why are big and regional bank’s customers so upset? More than half indicated it’s because of fees. Credit unions, community banks and online banks are cleaning their clocks. We asked those that would continue to do business with their current bank or credit union whether they would recommend the institution to a family member or friend. You guessed it… very few people would recommend their big bank. And we didn’t even ask people who want to switch this question – the story would be even worse.

See the full results

WHAT CAN WE DO?  Move Your MONEY Southern Oregon, switch to a local bank or credit union.

Download the .PDF and share with your friends…

George Mann sings songs from the last century of labor and social activism, and his own songs are powerful and funny take on the state of the nation. His concerts are part sing-along, part history lesson, and will make you shout for joy, send chills down your spine and bring tears to your eyes in the same set.

The concert will take place on September 29th at the Grass Shack Hawaiian Cafe, 205 Fern Valley Road in Phoenix Oregon. The performance will begin at 6 pm and run two hours.

The concert is free but donations are accepted. No one turned away. George Mann’s visit is sponsored by Southern Oregon Jobs with Justice and the Southern Oregon Central Labor Council.

For more information call 541-482-6988 or 541-512-8969.

• Date and Time:  Thursday, September 29 · 6:00pm – 8:00pm
• Location: Grass Shack Hawaiian Cafe 205 Fern Valley Road
  (in the Factory Outlets Mall next to Interstate 5, Exit #24)

On the Web:
georgemann.org
untilyoucomehome.com

About George:
George created and produced the “Hail to the Thief!” anti-Bush CD series, which featured such folk legends as Tom Paxton, Utah Phillips, Billy Bragg and Magpie, and his work with veterans, unions and anti-war groups has kept him on the front lines for 20 years. He produced a new compilation CD, “Until You Come Home: Songs for Veterans and their Kin” and his latest solo CD, “Songs for Jules and Bruce,” was released last year.

Southern Oregon Jobs with Justice has “adopted” the Verizon Wireless store in Medford, Oregon. Educational leafleting will be conducted on Wireless Wednesdays 12pm – 2pm and 5pm – 7pm at the Verizon store on Crater Lake Hwy. 62 at the Delta Waters intersection.

Here are photos showing banners and signs at one of the busiest intersections in all of Jackson County.

Background

45,000 Verizon workers went on strike on Sunday, August 7th. On Saturday, August 20th, CWA and IBEW announced that they had reached an agreement on bargaining with Verizon.

“Members at Verizon Communications would return to work on Tuesday, Aug. 23, at which time the contract will be back in force for an indefinite period.

We have reached agreement with Verizon on how bargaining will proceed and how it will be restructured. The major issues remain to be discussed, but overall, issues now are focused and narrowed.

We appreciate the unity of our members and the support of so many in the greater community. Now we will focus on bargaining fairly and moving forward.”

The unions did not agree to any of the company’s concessionary demands to reach agreement.

Instead, it was the solidarity we all showed that created the opportunity for progress. The strike brought Verizon to their knees and brought the company back to the table negotiate in good faith. They need your help to keep the pressure on Verizon to help win a fair contract with decent wages, good benefits and job security. Mobilization continues. We will continue to keep the pressure on until a fair contract is won!