Unbossed and
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Vol. 10
Issue 48…Dedicated
to the Dialogue on Race…November 30, 2007
Venue for an Artist
Eight Hour Song (1865)
By Charles Haynes
Let us gather once again
Let us strike for might and main
Let us overcome the proud without delay;
Let the workingmen unite,
For each one must have the right
And the law for work be made eight hours a day.
Chorus: Hear your leader's voices call you
Hasten quickly on your way;
We must rally for the fight;
Stand for justice and for right.
Til
the law for work be made eight hours a day
Now the lowly must be raised,
And the haughty made to feel
That oppression can no longer be endured;
If we stand as firm as steel,
The foe must surely yield
And the evils that we
suffer will be cured.
Chorus: Put each shoulder to the wheel,
Press your foe beneath your heel;
Let each working man be steady in the fight --
We must break the tyrant's power,
Now's the glorious day and hour
If we strike we'll
surely win the cause of right.
About
Me: Charles Haynes wrote the first of many songs that voiced support for
the eight-hour day. He borrowed the tune from the popular Civil War song
"Tramp, Tramp, Tramp." Chicago became the center of the workers'
movement for the eight-hour day in the 1880s. Company and government armies
brutally repressed the movement in 1886 after a wave of massive strikes. Labor
leaders in Chicago were hanged or imprisoned after the famous Haymarket affair.
American workers didn't achieve the eight-hour day until the 1930s.
Victoria's
Neo-Slavery
In early November, the National Labor Committee (www.nlcnet.org)
released a report on labor conditions at D.K. Garments. This subcontractor
makes Victoria's Secrets apparel and employs foreign guest workers from
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at its production facilities in Jordan.
According to NLC, Victoria's Secrets has joined the ranks of name brand
companies that use slave labor. At D.K. Garments, working and living conditions
are appalling. Housed in primitive dorms with inadequate running water and heat
in winter, workers labor seven days a week, 14 to 15 hours a day. Workers are
allowed 3.3 minutes to sew each Victoria's Secret bikini, for which they are
paid four cents. On average, they receive one day off every three or four
months. Mandatory overtime and rough treatment by managers and supervisors,
including physical abuse, are commonplace. Routinely shortchanged on their pay,
workers lose on average three regular days' wages each week.
In early November, management
raised mandatory production goals. Workers protested the increase and attempted
to discuss the impossibly high production rates with management, which
responded by having six of the most vocal workers imprisoned. When management
refused to have the six employees freed, workers went out on strike on November
12; they returned to work when management threatened them with imprisonment
and/or deportation.
NLC is asking Victoria's Secret
to end its workers' abuse and free those falsely imprisoned. The public is
asked to support the effort to end Victoria's Secret's neo-slavery this holiday
season by writing Leslie Wexner, CEO Victoria's
Secrets/ Limited Brands Inc.; 3 Limited Pkwy; Columbus, Ohio 43230; phone:
(614) 415-7000, fax: (614) 415-7080 or e-mail: tkatzenmeyer@limitedbrands.com.
Labor Rights Fight before the Clayton Act 1914
Pope Leo XIII's Rerum Novarum,
also known as "On the Condition of the Working Classes," advocated a
limited work day, a living wage, elimination of child labor, the rights to
organize, and the state to regulate labor conditions.
The first real steps toward a united labor movement were taken by groups like
the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions, the Knights of Labor and
others. On December 8, 1886, delegates organized the American Federation of
Labor (AFL). A giant step forward, they passed a resolution demanding that
"eight hours shall constitute a legal day's labor." Women were
brought into the Federation and extended "representation on an equal
footing." The AFL adopted a resolution calling for the organization of
trade unions for women and demanding that women receive equal compensation with
men for equal services performed.
The AFL's 300,000 members in 25 unions faced discord and setbacks in achieving
fair labor practices and the 8-hour day. Most notably in Chicago, union workers
were locked out by the McCormick Harvester Company. Fights erupted during the
protest and police killed four workers. A rally in Haymarket Square drew a
large crowd. A bomb was exploded killing seven policemen and wounding fifty.
Police fired into the crowd killing several bystanders and wounding about 200.
This tragedy turned political will against unions. Laws, such as the Sherman
Antitrust Act, which was designed to break up powerful monopolistic
corporations, were turned against unions. Up against powerful corporations with
financial resources, the active or passive support of government and its police
forces, backed by most media and the general public, union-busting and violence
were the order of the day.
In 1891, the Carnegie Steel Company broke a strike of coke oven workers seeking
an 8-hour day. Wages were cut 26 percent and the Amalgamated Association of
Iron & Steel Workers struck. Three hundred armed Pinkerton detectives
brutalized workers until state militia restored order.
The American Railroad Union, led by Eugene V. Debs, struck the Pullman's
Sleeping and Parlor Car Company in 1894 and called for a boycott by railroad
workers in a sympathy protest strike. The government swore in 3,400 special
deputies and later President Grover Cleveland sent in federal troops to break
the strike. Finally a sweeping federal court injunction forced an end to the
sympathy strike, and many railroad workers were blacklisted.
In 1902, a non-union hat company in Danbury, Connecticut was struck by the AFL
hatters union. The company under antitrust law provisions charged a conspiracy
in restraint of trade and a suit for damages was filed. This case became the
precedent for using injunctions to stop various strikes and strike actions. In
addition, individual strikers were fined a total of $250,000. In 1915, the AFL
proclaimed a Hatters' Day in which workers voluntarily contributed an hour's
pay to help pay off the fines.
Long before the rise of the
feminist movement, large numbers of women worked in the men's and women's garment
industry. Their grievances were low pay in sweatshops, long hours, and dreadful
conditions. In 1909, "The Uprising of the Twenty Thousand" took
place. This strike of mostly women became the first big protest in the needle
trades by the Ladies' Garment Workers.
In 1910, cloak makers struck in New York and Louis D. Brandeis, later named to
the U.S. Supreme Court, aided them. He developed a "protocol of
peace." It established procedures for conciliation and arbitration of
future grievances, the abolition of homework, provided free electricity, 10
paid holidays a year, and piece work rates were fixed
by joint union-management committees.
Another historic industrial conflict came in 1912 in the textile mills of
Lawrence, Massachusetts. The Industrial Workers of the World, or Wobblies, struck and the mill owners cut pay by 31/2
percent. Police and militia attacked the 50,000 workers. Authorities prevented
child workers from leaving town. Children were attacked at the railroad station
by police as they tried to leave. Enraged, public protest finally forced the
mill owners to restore the pay cuts and increase wages to more realistic
levels.
Legislation like the LaFollette Seaman Act and the
Clayton Act of 1914 made explicit the legal concept that "the labor of a
human being is not a commodity or article of commerce" and hence not
subject to the kind of Sherman Anti-Trust Act provisions which had been the
issue in the Danbury Hatters case. The act gave strikes, boycotts and peaceful
picketing a legal basis in federal courts, and limited injunctions in labor
disputes. Congress, at the urging of the AFL, created a separate U.S.
Department of Labor to protect and extend the rights of wage earners. A
Children's Bureau, with a major concern to protect the victims of job
exploitation, was created. (Sources: www.socialstudieshelp.com
and www.wikipedia.org)
An Emerging Idea: Jobs with Justice
By John Burl Smith
During the March for Justice in Washington DC called by Rev. Al Sharpton, Chioke (Wayne Perry), a
local organizer, introduced me to Jane English, Field Director with Jobs with
Justice. We talked about the heady days of the civil rights and black power
movements when I was an Invader, also about the last days of Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. during the Sanitation Strike. Listening to Jane talk about the goals
and work of Jobs with Justice (JwJ), I was reminded
of the goals of Dr. King's Poor People's Campaign and the coalition he was
building when he was assassinated in Memphis in 1968.
Founded in 1987 with a vision of advancing workers' rights and a campaign for
economic and social justice, the JwJ engages workers
and their allies in workplaces and communities where working families live with
campaigns to win justice. Their fight is not one of slogans; they believe in
long-term multi-issue coalitions, grassroots based organizing and strategic
militant action as the foundations for their new movement.
Jobs with Justice works with people through the
organizations that represent them--unions, congregations, community
organizations, etc. JwJ activists have gotten over
100,000 people to sign the pledge to "Be There" at least five times a
year for someone else's struggle as well as their own. In more than 40 cities
in 25 states, they are building coalitions of labor, religious, student and
community organizations that are committed to the campaign to make a difference
for workers facing hostile bosses. Solidarity is a two-way street. When
communities come out for unions, they can expect unions to come out for them.
Union victories are crucial, but they are not enough.
In 2005, JwJ coalitions worked on 197 workplace
justice campaigns affecting more than 243,400 workers. JwJ
coalitions supported more than 135,000 workers in 107 organizing and first
contract campaigns to denounce employer harassment of immigrant workers and
fought employer efforts to shift health care costs to workers. Local coalitions
worked on 169 social justice campaigns on critical issues, supported affordable
housing, defended public services, and led proactive campaigns for economic
development, living wage ordinances, and statewide fights to win health care
for all.
Back in the 1800s, labor unions and communities of workers were one in the
struggle for justice, workers' rights and the fight against discrimination.
Today, many believe these concerns will be addressed by the government, but
they are wrong. It is time to rebuild the broad-based coalition envisioned by
Dr. King's Poor People's Campaign.
The March for Justice in Washington DC was just a beginning. It took only three
weeks for one hundred thousand people to gather in Freedom Plaza in answer to
Rev. Sharpton's call. This gathering represented
individuals and families that were moved to action by the injustices across the
country happening to black people. If the old coalition of labor, churches and
social action groups had joined with radio personalities, student groups,
radical preachers and new black activists, the throng would have shut
Washington down.
The forces arrayed against us are benefiting from the stratified
individualistic organizational approach that came into vogue following the
assassination of Dr. King. If we all believe what we say we do and we are all
working on what we say we are, why can't we work together? The strength in our
numbers could change the direction of the United States overnight. JwJ represents a powerful force for change, but with the
National Action Network (NAN), we would be far stronger. It is obvious both
groups believe in coalition building and militant action; all that is needed is
to step toward one another. Unity must start some place! For more about Jobs with
Justice, log on to www.jwj.org.
NAN Atlanta Chapter Anniversary
Last December, a few determined souls met in the basement of Marcus Coleman's
grandfather's home to discuss the need to address pressing social issues. That
meeting grew to become the Atlanta Chapter of the National Action Network. In
just one year with Coleman as it local president, it has become one of NAN's most active chapters. A testament to its leadership
and hard work, Atlanta took a total of twelve buses (two from Marietta,
Georgia) to the March for Justice in Washington, DC on November 16, 2007.
Moreover, Tyleis Speight was honored by Tom Joyner as
the top coordinator for NAN in recognition of her tireless effort supporting
the march.
On Saturday, December 15, 2007, the Atlanta Chapter will celebrate its one-year
Anniversary with a black tie reception and banquet at historic Paschal's Restaurant in Atlanta, which is located at 180 B Northside Drive. Founder of the National Action Network
Rev. Al Sharpton will be the guest speaker and the
event will be hosted by "The People's Attorney" Warren Ballentine. Festivities will begin at 6:00 PM. Tickets are
$50 and can be purchased online at www.nanatl.org.
Archangel Available Online
Debuted in Washington, DC at the
March for Justice called by Rev Al Sharpton, Archangel: A Hip
Hop Vision of Love and the Battle of Good Versus Evil, a novel by
John Burl Smith, was enthusiastically received by participants. The romance
mystery presents the historical struggles of several black families as a
backdrop to the day-to-day survival story of the hero and heroine. They lead a
small band of community activists in a fight against neo-Nazis trying to take
over their neighborhood. In league with the devil himself, the villains have
the power of government aiding them in their plan of genocide.
Fans of drama and suspense will enjoy Smith's use of historical information as
transitions and interludes to set up dialogue for scenes. An information-driven
drama, readers must follow the story for it is impossible to get ahead of the
tale and not miss essential clues. The self-published novel is available online
at www.archangelworld.com. (Note: Excuse our
progress; the site is till under construction)
Also, to help The DISH
advertise its "Toxic Toys" campaign this Christmas, Archangel is being offered as a
buy three and get two free special! For more
information, email archangelworld@ga.net
or call 404-244-6023.
Disgruntled says: Generally,
the country is in serious trouble in movies in which the US president is black.
Whether sci-fi, action adventure, drama, thriller or other genre, the nation is
like a third world country. Its deteriorated status, no doubt, occurred prior
to his election or selection to lead the nation. The majority white population
is unlikely to elect a black president during good times. Based on my reading,
the US is losing its edge from the decline in the value of the dollar and its
role as the world's reserve currency to the country's loss of goodwill in
international circles. Eerily, mainstream media have provided Barack Obama, the black
presidential candidate, with plenty of favorable coverage, even airing segments
that pondered questions such as why blacks are divided about voting for Obama. The talking heads seem to chastise blacks for
failing to unanimously support him. Stranger still, the media have not torn Obama to shreds. If art imitates life, the US is in trouble
and the nation is headed toward one of those sci-fi movie moments.
Disgruntled
wants to know: Unless you have tuned out all media, you know track star
and Olympic gold medalist Marion Jones pleaded guilty to lying to federal
prosecutors about her use of banned substances. She has relinquished her
medals, been banned from her sports and publicly apologized for letting
everyone down, including herself. Based on the extensive media cover, of
course, you know that Barry Bonds, the black baseball player, has been indicted
for perjury and obstruction of justice after years of investigation by federal
authorities into athletes' use of human growth hormones. Unlike Bonds and
Jones, you may not have heard that tennis star Martina Hingis
tested positive for cocaine use; the drug is on the list of banned substances. Hingis, a multiple grand slam winner, has denied using the
drug and has vowed to fight the International Tennis Federation charge. Given
the press devoted to Bonds and Jones, one cannot help but wonder where is the
wall-to-wall coverage of the Hingis doping story?
Disgruntled
feels: As delegates from about fifty (50) nations and international
organizations gathered in Annapolis, Maryland this week to kick start formal
peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians, one could not help but feel a
little deja vu. Every speech repeated verbiage from
past efforts to end the conflict, including the Bush administration's road map
(2003), which, had it been followed, would have already led to the
establishment of a Palestinian state. Yet, none has been declared. Israel
continues to build settlements and occupy Palestinian lands under an
apartheid-like system, while living conditions for Palestinians deteriorate
daily. This latest round of talks pushes a Palestinian state even farther down
the road, well after Bush's term in office. Like many other people around the
world, I am confused about the role being played by the "leaders" of
the Palestinian people. Even under Yasser Arafat,
they could have declared a Palestinian state, but did not. Instead, their
refusal to act with little beyond weak and confusing rhetoric guarantees no
viable Palestinian state.
Mailbox: E-Mails, Faxes and
Phone Calls
Email www.theage.com.au
...US leads world in jailing children for life....By Henry Weinstein...The US
has far more juveniles serving life terms than any other country (2387).
Israel, the only other country that imprisons juveniles for life, has seven. In
the US, life terms fall disproportionately on non-white children, who are 10
times more likely than white children to be given life without parole. The
study, Sentencing Children to Die in Prison, asserts that "harsh sentences
dispensed in adult courts do not take into account the lessened culpability of
juvenile offenders… Psychologically and neurologically, children cannot be
expected to have achieved the same level of mental development as an adult,
even when they become teenagers."
Email www.earthtimes.org ...Two Out of Three
Middle Class American Families on Shaky Financial Ground...Fewer than one in
three middle-class families in America is financially secure, and the remaining
majority are either borderline or at high risk of falling out of the middle
class altogether, according to a new study published by Demos and the Institute
for Assets and Social Policy (IASP), a non-partisan policy center at Brandeis
University. "By a Thread: The New Experience of America's Middle
Class" shows worrying trends that mirror a reality of today's unstable
economy. "Workers in America are suffering a generation-long stagnation of
wages and rising insecurity," said Ron Blackwell, Chief Economist at AFL-CIO.
"'By a Thread' provides a unique metric for the resulting stress on middle
class living standards and outlines bold policies to create an economy that
works for all."
Email www.reuters.com...Texas oilman Oscar Wyatt,
83, was sentenced to one year and one day in prison for conspiracy in the U.N.
oil-for-food scandal. Wyatt pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud
in October. Under his plea agreement, prosecutors dropped four counts against
him, cutting short a trial in which they made a case that he paid secret
kickbacks to Saddam Hussein's government to win oil contracts from Iraq.
Email www.wallstreetjournal.com...Protests
Spotlight China Labor Tension...By Mei
Fong...Protests by Hong Kong groups over the stabbing of a labor leader in
Shenzhen reflect how tensions are bubbling up in southern China ahead of
January 1, when the country's new labor laws take effect. China's nascent labor
movement has been growing more vocal as the nation experiences a widening gap
between rich and poor. Because of Hong Kong's proximity to China's
manufacturing heartland and many China-related labor groups are based in Hong
Kong, the city's worker-rights groups have become involved in mainland matters.
The new labor laws are China's most significant overhaul of workplace
regulation in a decade.
Email www.businessweek.com...Rudd takes
office...Signing the Kyoto Protocol on climate change topped the international
agenda of newly elected Australian leader Kevin Rudd, and he renewed a
commitment to apologize to indigenous Aborigines for past indignities. Mr.
Rudd, whose victory Saturday (11-24-07) ended nearly 12 years of conservative
rule in Australia, began work yesterday (11-26-07) on domestic issues,
including his goal of providing a computer for every secondary-school student
and redrafting the country's labor laws.
Email josephck@gmail.com In November,
the US dollar fell to an all-time low against the euro. This loss in value came
on the heels of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's declaration that the US dollar is a
"worthless piece of paper." He and others, most notably Venezuelan
President Hugo Chavez, are encouraging member states of the Organization of
Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to cease selling oil in dollars and stop
pegging their national currencies to greenbacks that continue to decline in
value. While Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, for the time
being, has dismissed the notion, growing unrest among foreign workers and
rising inflation rates in Middle East countries may force that country to
reassess its commitment to the dollar. Inflation rates in these countries are
running in the double digits, eroding the value of their dollar reserves and
dollar-denominated assets. Foreign workers, seeing their wages shrink, are
demanding higher wages to offset the rising cost of living and the decreasing
amount available to remit to their families in other countries. Already, there
have been violent protests in Qatar and Dubai, which rely heavily on foreign
workers. Several editorials in the Economist (www.economist.com)
have recommended these nations act in their self-interest by ditching the
dollar.