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Support North Carolina's Tobacco Pickers
Like most farm workers, tobacco pickers suffer from low pay, long work hours, inadequate housing and lack of access to medical care. They also face additional health risks from exposure to toxins present in the tobacco plant, and tragically, several workers have died in North Carolina's fields in recent years.
If you are a religious leader, please show your support for North Carolina's tobacco pickers and sign the open letter to Reynolds American Inc. Chairman and President, Ms. Susan Ivey, and its board of directors. Fax signed letter to IWJ at 773-728-8409 or mail to 1020 W. Bryn Mawr, Chicago, IL 60660.
Support Justice at Pulte Homes
If you are a religious leader, please sign the statement of support for workers who build houses for Pulte Homes and fax to IWJ at 773-728-8409 or mail to 1020 W. Bryn Mawr, Chicago, IL 60660. For more information, please read the report that IWJ released on this situation.
Celebrate
the Legacy of Dr. King by Signing the Pledge
of Solidarity
As we celebrate the birthday of the “Drum Major for Justice,” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we should reflect on his legacy of organizing for civil rights and economic justice for all. Forty years ago, Dr. King was developing his campaign to unite workers, unions and clergy in the struggle for economic justice. It was during this time that he became engaged in the Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike for safe working conditions, fair treatment and a living wage.
Today, private sanitation workers are engaged in a struggle for justice. They face injuries on the job. They make wages that, when adjusted for inflation, are comparable to what sanitation workers were making 40 years ago during the strike. Help fulfill their dream for justice on the job. As we commemorate Dr. King and celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike, please take time to add your name to the roll. Sign the pledge today!
Please
Tell Your Representative to Support a Clean
Minimum Wage Bill Now (Fair Minimum Wage Act)
Could it be a perfect storm for finally raising the federal minimum wage, which has not gone up since 1996? More than 80% of Americans support raising the minimum wage. With many hotly contested Congressional elections in November, moderate Republicans may feel the need to be on the right side of this justice issue.
Please implore your Congressperson to increase the federal minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 per hour as soon after the 2006 Labor Day recess as possible.
Should
Worker Rights Have Higher Priority in Islamic Investing? (Shari'ah compliance)
IWJ
is partnering with the Islamic
Society of North America (ISNA) on a trailblazing
effort involving workers’ rights, Islamic
investment law, transnational social justice
organizing, and the morally unacceptable labor
practices of a multi-billion-dollar real-estate
company. The Indianapolis-based HDG Mansur,
which also has offices in London and Dubai,
is making international financial headlines
by declaring itself Shari’ah-compliant.1
New Sanctuary Movement Resources
Includes website links, NSM pledge and other forms
Responsible Immigration Reform Would Protect Working Conditions for All Workers in the U.S.
Willthe estimated 11 million undocumented workers in America be further criminalized, lose more of their workplace rights and be relegated to a continuous temporary worker status under immigration reform legislation being debated in the U. S. Senate?
This question will be answered in the coming weeks as U. S. Senators debate the latest immigration reform proposal (Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006) also known as the Chairman's Mark—a combination of portions from various legislative proposals recently fashioned into one bill by Senate Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter.
IWJ Calls for Ethical Rebuilding of the Gulf Coast Region
The rebuilding of the Gulf Region is an opportunity for those devastated by Hurricane Katrina to rebuild their lives. Unfortunately, those who were left behind in the evacuation of the Gulf Coast Region are being left behind again in the rebuilding effort.
Jan.13-15–Living Wage Days
The weekend of January 13 to 15, 2007, Interfaith Worker Justice, in partnership with the Let Justice Roll coalition, will be celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday with a call for the nation to raise the minimum wage.
Dec. 10–International Human Rights Day
U.S. laws supposedly guarantee the right of America’s workers to choose for themselves whether to have a union—but in reality, the eroded and poorly enforced laws no longer protect workers. Employers routinely take advantage of the situation to violate the rights of workers trying to form unions—by lying to them, intimidating them, spying on them and even firing them.
Wal-Mart Week of Action
Higher Expecations Week is a time of concentrated examination of how the Wal-Martization of the U.S. economy affects everyone.
Wal-Mart’s behavior can be changed by exerting economic, public, and legislative pressure on the company. Throughout the nation, a growing movement is educating the public about the effect of the world’s largest retailer on communities.
Security Guard Organizing Campaign
In the summer of 2005, six seminarians in five major U.S. cities took part in a national union organizing campaign to improve the poor conditions that plague many of the more than 1 million women and men who work as security officers in America’s burgeoning private security industry.
So You’re Booking an Event…
Hotels, Low-Wage Working People, and Moral Choices
Choosing these hotels would support union workers.
Choosing these hotels would undercut organizing efforts by workers.
Pledge of Support for Sweat-free Uniforms and Laundry Services (The Not-Cintas Pledge) [PDF]
Throughout 2004, Interfaith Worker Justice coordinated a series of fact-finding religious delegations to investigate conditions at Cintas. A meeting was held between members of the delegations and the Cintas management. Cintas management was responsive to inquiries, but has not changed its approach to wages, benefits and workers’ rights to organize.
Support the Employee Free Choice Act
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