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Write to Elaine: Oppose the Colombian “Free” Trade Agreement
April 11, 2008
Colombia FTA: Vote NO The hidden costs of free trade agreements like NAFTA and CAFTA took a tremendous toll on our country: one million jobs disappeared, countless communities collapsed, and workers’ rights were exploited at home and abroad.

But now President George W. Bush and Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao want another free trade deal - this time with Colombia.  The Colombian free trade agreement (FTA) fails to meaningfully address a severe Colombian crisis: union members there are regularly assassinated.

Violence against union members is pervasive in Colombia, and the country’s president has done little to stop the attacks. This year, trade unionists are being murdered at the staggering rate of over one a week, meaning that this year could shape up to be even worst than the last.

Believe it or not, Elaine Chao doesn’t think union member assassinations are a problem. In spite of the ongoing violence, Elaine Chao argues that because fewer union members are being killed than in the worst years, we should implement the trade agreement.

Tell your Members of Congress and Secretary Elaine Chao that you oppose the Colombia free trade agreement
.

Together, we can stop this.

 
Pick Elaine's "Worst of the Worst"
March 05, 2008

150x200advocacy.jpg Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao has certainly disgraced her office.  But what's her worst deed? Is it pushing to cut 8 million workers' overtime pay?  Failing to issue fines for more than 4,000 mine safety violations?  Actively campaigning against bipartisan legislation that restores the rights of workers to freely and fairly form unions?  

You tell usRead the full list of nominees and then cast your vote.  Once we've narrowed our list down to the three "worst of the worst," we'll release it to the media and bloggers and expose just how much damage Elaine has done.

Voting ends Friday, March 14, so click here to see the list and vote now.

 
Tell Wall Street: Unionbusting Doesn't Pay
March 03, 2008

Workers at Atria Senior Living are being threatened and intimidated for trying to form a union.

Caring for our nation's elderly is an important job, and workers at Atria deserve a living wage, affordable healthcare, and the training and support they need to do their jobs well. They also have the right to a free and fair process to decide on forming a union.

Workers at Atria barely make ends meet, yet the highly successful senior living chain is affiliated with a big Wall Street firm called Lazard that has the means to support them. 

It's time to give these Wall Street execs an earful!  Tell the Wall Street execs at Atria and Lazard to stop unionbusting and play fair.

» Send your email now


 
Are you watching Elaine Chao?
February 26, 2008

Elaine Chao President Bush has appointed some real scoundrels over the years, but Elaine Chao has to be one of the worst. 

As Secretary of Labor, she's done horrible damage to workers' rights - everything from slashing worker safety programs to jeopardizing overtime pay for 8 million workers. 

With 11 months left in office, the worst could be yet to come. That's why we need YOU to let Elaine know you're watching her and tell her to clean up her act. 

To make sure Elaine knows America is watching, we want to collect 20,000 letters and we'll personally hand-deliver them to her office.

Tell Elaine Chao that she needs to start protecting workers!

Read More
 
Huge failure at mine safety agency
February 04, 2008

 What's wrong with mine safety czar Richard Stickler?

Coal miner

More than 4,000 mine safety failures in six years. 

Send Stickler a note now!

Many of us watched in horror last summer as miners lost their lives in the Crandall Canyon mine collapse in Utah, and before that, the disasters at Sago, Darby and Aracoma mines. After multiple debacles, you’d think the government would make mine safety a top priority.  Think again.  Recent reports uncovered a huge failure at the federal agency in charge of mine safety.  

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) failed to fine more than 4,000 safety & health violations over the last six years for mines that broke regulations.

Richard Stickler, the man responsible for mine safety in this country, needs some help. We put together some ideas for how Mr. Stickler can actually do his job.

» Can you send a note to MSHA Administrator Richard Stickler?

Read More
 
Stop the King's Penny Pinching
January 17, 2008

One penny per pound. Florida farmworkers have been fighting for an increase of just one penny more for every pound of tomatoes they pick for the fast food industry. 

 

You already helped convince McDonald’s to pay this extra penny – last April, McDonald’s followed the lead of Yum! Brands (owner of Taco Bell and other national food chains) in increasing wages and improving working conditions for these workers.  

 

But Burger King is a different story.  Not only is Burger King refusing to work with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers to improve labor standards, it’s also trying to undermine the agreements already in place with other fast food chains. 

 

Stand up for farmworkers by demanding that Burger King play fair and treat workers with respect. Activists working for farmworker justice will deliver your signature, along with thousands of others, to Burger King in February.

 

» Sign our petition asking Burger King to play fair!

 

 
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