Stand Up for Human Rights at our Airport
(cross-posted from itsourairport.org)
Stand Up for Human Rights at Sea-Tac: Dec 10
Stand up for the human rights of airport workers:
International Human Rights Day
Monday, December 10, 2012: 1:45 pm
Gather at the Sea-Tac light rail station
December 10th is International Human Rights Day, a holiday which honors the basic truth that every human being has the right to be treated with dignity, fairness, and respect. That’s something everyone deserves, no matter what they do or where they live. This year, many airport workers will mark Human Rights Day by gathering with faith leaders and other community supporters at the Sea-Tac Airport light rail station.
Together, we’ll call on the Port of Seattle and the big airlines like Alaska that do business at our airport to respect the basic human rights of all workers at Sea-Tac.
Today in West Seattle, Bellevue, and Renton: Local residents send message - "No More Cuts"
*** MEDIA ADVISORY FOR NOVEMBER 29, 2012 ***Contact: Sage Wilson, Working Washington - sage@workingwa.org
As Congress considers making deep cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security during the holiday season...
Local residents send message to Congress & CEOs: No More Cuts
WEST SEATTLE, BELLEVUE, AND RENTON - Local residents will gather at the West Seattle Junction, Renton Landing, and the Bellevue Square Mall today to spread the word about the brutal cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security currently being considered in the Washington, DC debate over the so-called "fiscal cliff".
Despite a resounding defeat in the November election, 1% corporate leaders are now pushing Congress to pay for new tax cuts with deep budget cuts. In response, the 99% are mobilizing in communities across the region and across the country to make sure we get what we voted for: jobs, not cuts.
This grassroots "no more cuts" campaign comes after 80 CEOs — including the top executives at JP Morgan Chase, Bank of America, and Macy's — signed a recent letter which called on Congress to cut spending on healthcare and retirement security, and cut the tax rates the rich are supposed to pay. The cuts these CEOs are proposing would have grave human and economic impact — a 5% cut to Medicaid, for example, would level a $500 million blow to the state economy, and cost more than 4,000 jobs.
When: TODAY - Thursday, November 29, 2012, 12:00 noon
What: Local residents wave signs and gather signatures on a petition calling on Congress to represent the people and give us jobs, not cuts. Each signature on the petition will result in the delivery of a lump of coal to some of the corporations whose CEOs are trying to grinch away our benefits — at one lump per signature, it will add up to a holiday coal delivery by the shovelful in the weeks ahead.
Where: The CEOs of Chase & Macy's both signed the letter calling for more budget cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and other programs, so we are gathering near Chase & Macy's locations today:
- West Seattle - California Ave SW & SW Alaska St, then proceeding to the Chase Bank branch a block north
- Bellevue - 400 Bellevue Square Mall, proceeding to the Bellevue Macy's
- Renton Landing - 1215 North Landing Way, near the Chase Bank ATM
The campaign against budget cuts kicked off less than a week after Election Day, when more the 8,000 people — including many from Bellevue, Renton, West Seattle, and beyond — joined a tele-town hall with Senator Patty Murray. The Senator heard stories from community members who spoke about the importance of programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, and urged her to stand with us against the corporate 1% agenda of tax cuts for the rich and budget cuts for the rest of us.
As the incoming chair of the Senate Budget Committee and the former chair of the Congressional Supercommittee, Senator Murray is a key leader in Congress on budget issues. People across the state and more across the country calling on Congressional leaders to fulfill their commitment to represent us, not the CEOs and their allies in Congress.
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Stand with striking Walmart workers this Black Friday
By Nathan Jackson Walmart workers across the country are striking for the first time in the company’s 50 year history, this Black Friday.
Workers at the largest retailer in the world are fed up with their sub par treatment in the giant retailer. Many workers are underpaid, uninsured and treated with a lack of respect. This Friday they are asking for folks to join the workers in protest outside of Walmart stores in solidarity. You can find other ways to support workers here: -ForRespect
Also some folks are coming out to the Renton Walmart at 9:30 AM. You can join us if ya like.
Walmart workers, through their organization of associates called OUR Walmart, has simple goals: Walmart should respect the workers, decent pay, make full time available for associates who wish it, and provide affordable healthcare. After all the Walton family who owns Walmart has more wealth than the bottom 40% of all Americans. Yeah, you read that right.
Don’t you think the Waltons can afford to treat the workers with basic respect between sips of champagne?
The workers also want protection from retaliation from raising concerns about unfair labor practices and respect. In the past Walmart has fired workers who cause a stir and has intimidated and discouraged workers talking with each other.
Workers across the country are starting to flex their muscles, but it hasn’t been easy.
Big corporations and some unscrupulous elected officials have been trying for years to make it harder for workers to stand up together for better conditions. These efforts have a lot of money and influence behind them, but they don’t have the most important factor—being right.
Workers have the right to stand up for better treatment from their employers. What the Walmart workers want is fairness and respect. They want access to full time work, decent pay and affordable healthcare. It’s a reasonable request and if Walmart doesn’t respond, they are willing to walk off the job.
It’s happening right now and we have their backs.
No Cuts, No Compromises
By Nathan Jackson The elections are over, but we can’t just pat ourselves on the back.
We want good jobs, an economy that works for the rest of us and a fairer tax system that makes the rich and big corporations pay their fair share. So we had a little chat with Senator Patty Murray--over 8000 of us.
Senator Murray listened on our tele-town hall where we told her that essential programs like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security weren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet, but lifelines for many of us.
Our message: No Cuts, No Compromises.
On the call, caregivers talked about their struggles to provide care to those who need it and support their own families if healthcare funding is slashed. Seniors citizens called in worried about the potential “grand bargain” that would further cut programs that take care of the elderly, disabled, and the poor.
They were worried about being tossed to the side.
The Senator in response said she would fight for a tax system where the rich pay their fair share and that’s great, but we need to make sure our message is clear--we will not accept a compromise that cuts Medicare, Medicaid or Social Security.
We need to keep the pressure on our elected officials to tell them point blank that these programs are untouchable. The tele-town hall was a nice warm up, but we need to keep the momentum we’ve gained from the election going.
It’s so easy to get caught up in words. When we hear Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security sometimes we may forget what these programs actually mean. These programs are the social contract that we have all signed together to take care of one another in our society. It is the systematic way that we pull each other up, lend a helping hand and make sure that we treat everyone with dignity and respect.
Slashing the budgets of programs like Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security is immoral. We take care of our elderly, folks with disabilities and the poor. We don’t throw them under the bus when budgets would tell us to tighten our belts--we figure out a way to do the right thing.
Don’t let elected officials forget that. Don’t let them look at this basic social compact as pure numbers just lined up on some balance sheet.
We’ve opened the door with the results of the elections and this tele-town hall. Now we need to keep up the pressure and show our elected officials we are willing to walk the walk.
Get on the call with Senator Patty Murray
Election Day was huge. In race after race, voters rejected the 1% agenda. Across the country, candidates won elections because they committed to give us jobs not cuts.
Now we need to hold the politicians to their promises.
Join thousands of folks across our state from Working Washington, SEIU, Washington CAN!, and other groups who will be telling the Senator we want what we voted for: we want the top 1% to pay their fair share so we can have jobs, not cuts.
Thousands of us made phone calls and knocked on doors to get out the vote this year because we knew how high the stakes were. For many of us, the election came down to a simple choice: healthcare for our families and good jobs for our communities — or tax cuts for the rich and budget cuts for the rest of us.
The votes are in and the verdict was clear: the 99% want jobs, not cuts. That's why we elected Jay Inslee to be our next Governor and that's why we're sending Suzan DelBene to Congress.
The top 1% wanted something different. Voters rejected their agenda on Election Day, but that's not going to stop them from trying to pressure Congress to give them more tax cuts, more special favors, and more of the same.
And that means we have to keep pushing back.
Together, we have the power to push the politicians to do the job that we elected them to do.
It starts Monday.
Rob McKenna wins monster endorsement in Governor's race
*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ***Contact: Sage Wilson, Working Washington — sage@workingwa.org
Fierce supporters promise to help McKenna "claw his way" to the top
As Election Day draws closer and the outcome of the gubernatorial race remains balanced on a razor edge, a powerful coalition today is making a well-timed announcement of support for Rob McKenna.
"Our decision was simple: Rob McKenna has the BRAAAAAIIINS to carry out zombie priorities," a zombie leader of Monsters for McKenna explained. The zombie cited McKenna's "BRAAAAAINNNY" attempt to suck the life out of a 12¢ minimum wage increase, as well as his mindlessly-consistent embrace of lower subminimum wages for some workers as a way of improving the economy.
"Also, BRAAAAAAAIIIIIIINS," he added.
Zombies aren't the only creatures emerging from the shadows to reveal their support for McKenna today. The Wolfman also offered an unusual endorsement.
"Basically, I'm a lone wolf, and I don't really care about anybody else," the Wolfman stated. "That's why I could not suppress my howls of delight when I learned about McKenna's budget proposals, which would make poor & disabled people pay more while they get less from Medicaid," stated the Wolfman.
"When wolves are grown they're on their own, and that oughtta be good enough for Washington too," he added. "If we're supposed to start caring about people who need healthcare, we might as well just get defanged. That's why McKenna's pay-more/get-less plan for working families is a two-fer I can get behind, no matter what the phase of the moon."
McKenna's monster endorsers also issued a statement condemning the Good Witch's earlier announcement of her support for Jay Inslee:
"This is the high-pitched syrupy ranting of one out-of-the-mainstream witch, and it's hardly representative of the larger wand-wielding community.
It may be true as the Good Witch stated that Inslee understands there's no place like home — a home you can actually afford because you have a good job. But that doesn't change the fact that Monsters for McKenna fiercely believe there is no reason to let humans choose who should govern them on the basis of their own humanity. If Inslee would support these kinds of appalling human-first policies as Governor, then it's time they both go back on the broom they came in on.
Finally, we all know idle ballots are the devil's playground. That's why with just a week to go before election day, we urge all humans to abstain from this election and let the monsters decide for them."
Note: Additional statements from vampires, trolls, Sasquatch, and other creatures of the night are available upon request. Knock on any door with a glowing pumpkin outside to set up an interview.
Monsters for McKenna is a large and hairy coalition organizing to make sure fellow suckers of blood, brains, and guts understand what's at stake in the gubernatorial election. Leaders in the organization are fiercely committed to help McKenna claw his way to the top in order to ensure a ghoulish future for our state.
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Priorities
By Nathan Jackson Working Washington is fighting for the 99%. We’ve pushed for good jobs & economic justice and stood with workers fighting for safety and fairness in their workplaces. We’ve made a difference already because of all the hard work you all have put in and we want to say thanks...and ask for more.
We need to put the priorities of the 99% first and foremost. These are issues like good jobs, affordable healthcare and safety in the workplace.
We need an economy where everyone who works hard has a fair chance at success and fair tax rules that ensure the 1% and the big corporations pay their fair share.
The November elections can keep us moving in this direction. But continuing to push forward means spreading the word to our friends and family, taking action to hold big corporations accountable, and voting for candidates who are the best choice on 99% issues — and then holding them accountable to do the right thing after they get elected.
That's why Working Washington supporters are spending time & energy in the weeks leading up to the election supporting candidates like Jay Inslee for Governor, who has a long track record of standing with the 99%, and has put investing in good jobs at the center of his campaign.
In the 36th Legislative District (Queen Anne/Ballard/Magnolia/Greenwoo
Up north in the 44th Legislative District, right around Snohomish, Mary McNaughton is running for State Representative. As a nurse and a veteran, she has dedicated her life to healthy communities. She will be a champion for quality, affordable healthcare for families.
In the 47th Legislative District (Renton/Kent/Covington), Bud Sizemore is the clear choice. He's a firefighter who is determined to put people to work right away by investing in repairing our roads, bridges, and other infrastructure, and eliminating tax giveaways to the wealthy 1% and big corporations.
We also have a chance to send someone to stand up for us in Washington DC: Suzan DelBene, who is running for Congress in the 1st Congressional District (Redmond/Shoreline/KIrkland/Mo
Our work to get candidates who stand with the 99% elected is just one part of the fight for a fair economy.
That's why we're doing everything we can to elect candidates that put the priorities of the 99% first and why we'll be ready to hold them to account after Election Day.
Fuelers' fight for safety & fairness will continue
*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ***Contact Sage Wilson, sage@workingwa.org
Workers considering appeal; vow to continue fight for workplace safety & fairness at Sea-Tac
"Our fight for safety and fairness at Sea-Tac will continue," said Leon Sams, a Sea-Tac fueler, after hearing of the preliminary injunction issued today by Federal District Court Judge James L. Robart which restricts the right of ASIG fuelers to go on strike. "We'll continue to pursue all lawful options not prohibited by the injunction, because this decision doesn't do anything to make our working conditions safer." In an initial step in the legal process, Judge Robart sided with multinational airport contractor ASIG in its lawsuit against its own employees, issuing a preliminary injunction this morning which prevents fuelers from going on strike. Working Washington will completely comply with the injunction.
"Have no doubt," Sams added, "we will completely comply with the injunction, but we’re going to continue to stand up for safety and respect at Sea-Tac."
Fuelers employed by ASIG, who are responsible for fueling 75% of the planes at Sea-Tac, have repeatedly raised serious concerns about workplace safety & fairness at our airport with their managers at ASIG; with Alaska Airlines, the largest carrier that hires ASIG to fuel its planes; and with the Port of Seattle, the public agency that oversees our airport.
But instead of fixing faulty trucks, broken ladders, and leaking fuel nozzles, ASIG chose to retaliate against employees who raised workplace safety issues. Then the company took the unusual step of filing a lawsuit against its own employees.
"It's incredible: we have simply been asking ASIG to fix these safety issues and stop retaliating against fuelers. Instead, they took us — their own employees — to Federal Court to silence us," explained Sams, who was there in Federal Court to witness the hearing on Wednesday. "The company's approach doesn't make sense, and it won’t work. Instead of trying to silence its workers, ASIG ought to listen to us when we raise serious workplace safety & fairness concerns."
Fuelers and the legal team supporting them respect Judge Robart’s decision but believe that it wrongly interprets Federal law in issuing the injunction. Fuelers and their supporters are considering next steps, including appealing the court’s decision.
BACKGROUND:
- Documentation of some of the serious safety & fairness concerns Sea-Tac fuel technicians have raised is available online at this link: http://bit.ly/safetyviolations
- Judge James L. Robart was appointed to the Federal District Court in 2004 by President George W. Bush. Judge Robart’s court is within the jurisdiction of the 9th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals
- ASIG is a division of BBA Aviation plc, headquartered in London and listed on the London Stock Exchange. In 2011, BBA Aviation realized $152.1 million in net profits after taxes on revenues of $2.137 billion. ASIG is hired by Alaska Airlines and most other major carriers at Sea-Tac to fuel their aircraft. BBA CEO Simon Pryce earned $1.976 million last year.
- Sea-Tac fuelers employed by ASIG work in difficult conditions with unsafe & faulty equipment, and earn about $10/hour, a wage which puts a family of 3 beneath the federal poverty line.
Aircraft fuelers are among the thousands of poverty-wage workers at our airport. Together, they are speaking out to make sure every job at our airport is a good job — one that offers a safe & healthy working environment, and a fair shot at a better future.
For the latest information, visit itsOURairport.org
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Decision on lawsuit against Sea-Tac fuelers expected in 24-48 hours
Workers release documentation of serious safety & fairness issues
*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - OCTOBER 17, 2012 *** Contact: Sage Wilson, Working Washington: sage@workingwa.org
SEATTLE - A Federal Court judge today heard arguments in a lawsuit filed by a low-wage airport contractor called ASIG against its own employees, who are responsible for safety fueling 75% of the flights at Sea-Tac. A decision on these workers' right to act together for safety & fairness is expected in 24 - 48 hours.
For months Sea-Tac fuelers have raised concerns about soft brakes, leaking fuel nozzles, and other hazardous working conditions. They have brought these issues to their managers at ASIG, the company that employs the fuelers; to the Port of Seattle, the public agency which oversees our airport; and to Alaska Airlines, the largest carrier which hires ASIG to fuel its planes.
But instead of fixing faulty trucks, broken ladders, and leaking fuel nozzles, this multi-national corporation opted to retaliate against workers and take its own employees to court in an attempt to deny their rights. The legal arguments in court today focused on whether or not the employer will be permitted to continue denying these workers their right to act together for safety & fairness.
Workers also released specific documentation of serious safety & fairness issues, including:
- Exhibit A - Hose on stationary cart continues to leak fuel, 10/9/2012
- Exhibit B - No latch on fuel nozzles; uniforms soiled with fuel, 10/6/2012
- Exhibit C - Non-functioning safety equipment on truck, 10/6/21012
- Exhibit D - Faulty fuel truck brakes, 10/5/2012
- Exhibit E - Broken trucks taken out of service prior to FAA inspection, 10/4/2012
- Exhibit F - Fuel pressure too high; no eye-wash station available, 9/18/2012
- Exhibit G - Small electrical fire started on 5,000-gallon tank truck, early 2012
A packet of documentation is available online at the link below:
http://bit.ly/safetyviolations
Aircraft fuelers are among the thousands of poverty-wage workers at our airport. Together, they are speaking out to make sure every job at our airport is a good job — one that offers a safe & healthy working environment, and a fair shot at a better future. For the latest information, visit itsourairport.org
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