by DC Jobs with Justice | Nov 19, 2010 | Interfaith Worker Justice, Projects
“Wage theft is a crime” was the theme of a rally and press event on Thursday, Nov. 18th that brought together workers, faith leaders, and community supporters. Held in front of the DC Metropolitan Police Dept. Headquarters, the rally gave workers a chance to speak out about the silent crime of wage theft and to call on the police and DC government to do more to protect workers. rnrnThe Union de Trabajadores, with DC Jobs with Justice, Interfaith Worker Justice of Greater Washington, the DC Employment Justice Center, the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and other allies have been working for several years to improve the options open to workers to recover wages. While the DC Wage and Hour office has implemented many of the recommendations from workers, the office still lacks the staff and resources necessary and doesn’t have the authority to levy fines or penalties against employers who refuse to pay. rnrnThe need for police to be involved in fighting wage theft was a major theme of Thursday’s event. Ramon Hernandez and Antonio Lazo, both members of the Union de Trabajadores spoke about experiences calling police to report stolen wages. In some cases, police intervention has resulted in workers being paid what they are owed- without having to wait through a lengthy administrative process at the DC Office of Wage and Hour. However, some workers who have called police have been told that its not a police issue. The Union de Trabajadores has requested and been promised a meeting with MPD to discuss possibilities for collaboration.rnrnThe Nov. 18th event was organized as part of Interfaith Worker...
by DC Jobs with Justice | Aug 22, 2008 | Interfaith Worker Justice, Projects
During Labor Day weekend and throughout September, more than 50 congregations from diverse Jewish, Christian, and Unitarian traditions will honor workers and call for justice during special services and programs. The Labor in the Pulpits and Labor on the Bimah programs are jointly organized by Interfaith Worker Justice of Greater Washington and Jews United for Justice. rnrnProgram highlights this year include a talk by AFL-CIO President John Sweeney at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church in Rockville; a discussion at Adas Israel Congregation in Washington, DC about the situation of immigrant workers at the nation’s largest kosher meatpacking plant, in Postville, IA; and a fellowship lunch at Foundry UMC featuring theater and film highlighting the congregation’s day labor ministry.rn rnA full schedule of Labor in the Pulpits and Labor on the Bimah programs is available here.rnrnParticipating congregations include:rnAdas Israel Congregation, Adat Reyim Congregation, Adat Shalom Reconstructionist Congregation, All Soul’s Unitarian Church, Am Kolel Havurah, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Beth Sholom Temple, Bethesda Jewish Congregation, B’nai Israel Congregation, Christ Lutheran Church, Church of the Pilgrims Presbyterian, Congregation Bet Mishpachah, Congregation Beth Emeth, Congregation B’nai Tzedek, Congregation Etz Hayim, Covenant Baptist Church, DC Minyan, Fabrangen, First Trinity Lutheran Church, Florida Avenue Baptist Church, Foundry UMC, Grace Episcopal Church, Kehillat Shalom, MACHAR: The Washington Congregation for Secular Humanistic Judaism, McKendree-Simms Brookland UMC, Metropolitan Community Church of Northern Virginia, New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation, Oseh Shalom, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Russian Orthodox Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Second Baptist Church, Shaare Tefila Congregation, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, St. David’s Episcopal Parish, St....
by DC Jobs with Justice | Apr 4, 2008 | Interfaith Worker Justice, Projects
In response to news that Safeway and Giant were trying to cut back health and pension benefits for 23,000 grocery workers in DC, MD and VA represented by the UFCW Local 400, local faith leaders sprung into action. In addition to spreading the word to their congregations, members of Interfaith Worker Justice of Greater Washington led a delegation to a Safeway store and delivered a letter to the manager. “Members of our congregations shop at these stores,†Rev. Kay Johnson of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in DC told the manager at the Dupont Circle Safeway. “We’re prepared to support the workers in any way we can.â€rnrnRick Walsh, a long time OPEIU Local 2 union member brought the issue to his church, Providence United Methodist Church in Fort Washington Maryland. The congregation offered a special prayer for the grocery workers during Sunday services and made plans to visit three stores in the surrounding area together to offer words of support to the employees there. rnrnJust days before the contract expiration, ministers from across the city came together for a press conference to express support for the workers and call on Safeway and Giant to maintain quality benefits. “They’re not asking for a raise, but they’re also asking not to have them come out of their pocket to pay for insurance, and we believe that’s fair,” said the Rev. Raymond Bell, pastor of First Rising Mount Zion Baptist Church. Faith leaders pledged that if the workers strike, they will tell members of their congregations not to cross the picket lines. “As people of faith, we’re standing up with the workers, and...
