by DC Jobs with Justice | Oct 20, 2012 | Building Benefits, Projects
Thursday afternoon, the Economic Policy Institute hosted a meeting on working conditions for service workers in their office building. Tenants who work in offices throughout the large H Street building met with downtown security officers, SEIU local 32BJ organizers and DC Jobs with Justice staff to discuss the officers’ campaign and how tenants can help. Tenants learned that many downtown security officers earn less than $10 an hour, get no paid sick days and have trouble affording healthcare. Officers also have very little control over their schedules – one officer told tenants how he was forced to work a 27-hour shift on Christmas Day! rnThis building is the latest to join Building Benefits, a network of tenants renting offices downtown. DC Jobs with Justice began organizing this project about a year ago. In more than two-dozen office buildings, tenants have taken action to support the janitors, security officers and parking attendants in their buildings. Working with DC JwJ, tenants have worn stickers, collected petitions supporting paid sick leave legislation, and written to their property managers to advocate for better working conditions in their buildings.rnrnTenants taking action is vital to ensuring that when security officers win a strong contract, property managers will continue to do business with security companies that have increased workers’ wages and benefits. Usually, property managers make building owners rich by forcing security companies to compete to provide the lowest cost for their services, which means the lowest wages for workers. Tenants can pressure their property managers to support the workers by committing to use their services even if wages and benefits improve to raise the quality...
by DC Jobs with Justice | Aug 21, 2012 | Campaigns, Justice At Wings
Today, dozens of members from the Justice at Wings Coalition – a coalition of faith, labor, civil and human rights organizations fighting to protect the labor rights of iron workers at Wings Enterprises – gathered across the main offices of the Smithsonian Institution demanding them to keep Wings off the upcoming National Museum of African American History and Culture. “We’ll not cease targeting the Smithsonian Institution until there is assurance that Wings Enterprises will not work at the African American Museum,” explained Mr. Ronnell Howard, one of the workers on strike from Wings Enterprises when talking to Linda St. Thomas, a spokesperson from the Smithsonian Institution. “I worked for Wings for four years and regardless of my hard work, Wings underpaid me, owing me over 10 thousand dollars. As an African- American and member of this community, I would be offended if the Smithsonian allows a company with such a bad record build the African American museum.” At the forefront of the Justice at Wings Coalition are workers who have been on strike from Wings since October 2009, protesting Wings’ history of safety problems, including violations of OSHA regulations; low wages on private projects; violations of laws that mandate good wages on public projects; and retaliation against workers who want to improve conditions; among other issues. Picture: Left to Right: workers on strike from Wings Ronnell Howard, Executive Director of DC Jobs with Justice Nikki Daruwala, Rev. John Graham from Grace Presbyterian Church in DC, and labor organizer from Local 201 JC Recinos. For example, Wings was cited twice by the DC Department of Employment Services (DOES) for Davis-Bacon...
by DC Jobs with Justice | Jul 27, 2012 | Actions & Events, Get Involved, Justice At Wings
The Justice at Wings coalition needs your support Thursday, August 2nd at 8am. They are targeting the Smithsonian Institution for not standing up for workers. The Coalition knows that Wings Enterprises is trying to work at the African American Museum project. The Coalition approached the Smithsonian and provided them with the binder of evidence showing that Wings has a history of labor and OSHA violations. Their response was simple: we are leaving everything up to our general contractors Clark/Smoot/Russell. This response is unacceptable; indeed, very disappointing. PLAN: The Justice at Wings Coalition as they demand leadership from the Smithsonian on the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The Coalition will have an action in front of the office of the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, Mr. Wayne Clough. DATE: Thursday August 2 at 8AM LOCATION: Smithsonian Institution on 1000 Jefferson Dr SW DC 20560. This is a few steps away from the Smithsonian metro station. For more information contact: Natali Fani-González, Office: 202.787.1813...
by DC Jobs with Justice | Jul 23, 2012 | Projects
Verizon and Darden have something in common: Verizon Board Member and Darden CEO Clarence Otis. Verizon refuses to negociate in good faith with its 45,000 workers, despite the fact that Clarence Otis made $8.5 million last year.rn rnHere is how you can help; deliver a letter of support to a Darden Restaurant manager.rnrnThe following is a list of Darden Restaurants:rnCapital GrillernOlive GardenrnRed LobsterrnTexas Longhorn Steak HousernSeasons 52rnBahama BreezernEddie V’srnWildfish SeafoodrnrnWhen you go to the restaurant, ask to speak to the manager and deliver this letter. Have a friend take a picture of you doing so and email it to Lillian at Lillian@dcjwj.org. We will feature it on our website.rnrnThank you for your continued support and please do not hesitate to contact Lillian if you have any questions.rn...
by DC Jobs with Justice | Jul 23, 2012 | Projects
The Justice at Wings Coalition is going to have an action on Thursday July 26 at 8am targeting the contracting office of the Smithsonian Institution on 2011 Crystal Dr, Arlington, VA 22202 (it’s a couple of blocks from Crystal City Metro station) . In 2012, Wings Enterprises, a concrete rebar contractor that has a history of labor and OSHA violations – is bidding to work on the National Museum of African American History and Culture.rnrnrnCall the Smithsonian today at 202.633.7276 and ask them not to let Wings Enterprises work at the African American Museum!rnrnFor more information contact: Natali Fani-González at...
