LOCAL 1060
Communications Workers of America AFL-CIO, CLC
595 Somerset Street North Plainfield, NJ 07060-4908 (908) 561.8806
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2010 MEETING DATES FEBRUARY 8 APRIL 12
JUNE 14 AUGUST 9 OCTOBER 11 DECEMBER 13
Alfredo's Delicatessen 1800 E. 2nd Street Scotch Plains 5pm |
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Brothers and Sisters
Below is a reminder that all Union members have the legal right to representation. Weingarten rules will not save your life, but it is a lifeline; It may save your job!
WEINGARTEN RULES-Your right to Union representation.
1. The Employee must make a clear request for Union representation before or during an interview. You can not be punished for making this request
2. After the request is made your employer must choose from three options
a. Grant the request and delay questioning until the Union rep arrives and has a chance to consult privately with the employee
b. Deny the request and end the interview immediately
c.Give the employee a choice of (1) having the interview without representation or (2) ending the interview
3. If an employer denies a request for union representation, and continues to ask questions, it is an unfair labor practice and the employee may refuse to answer. The _ employee can not be disciplined for such a refusal
LABOR HISTORY
March 25 in 1911- a fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist factory in NYC killed 146 of the approximately 500 workers there that day. The "factory" was a typical sweatshop of its day, and the death of the workers was taken up by many labor activists as an example of the horrors and inhumanity of industrial production's commitment to the bottom line-money-at the expense of worker safety.
The fire started on the upper floors of the Ascher building. Workers on these floors were essentially trapped since overseers regularly locked the sweatshop's exit doors to ensure that nobody stole materials from the factory. Without a way to safety, some workers jumped to their deaths rather than burn. Others pleaded from flaming windows that were located too high for fire department ladders to reach.
April 9th 2010 - MONTCOAL, W.Va. -- A huge underground explosion blamed on methane gas killed 29 coal miners in the worst U.S. mining disaster in more than two decades. The mine, about 30 miles south of Charleston, has had a significant history of safety violations, including 57 infractions just last month for (among other things) not properly ventilating the highly combustible methane.
AFL-CIO President (and a 3rd generation Miner) Richard Trumka "The inevitable result of reckless corporate conduct. While we are all discussing and recognizing these important issues today, we must be mindful to address them every day until all working people can go to jobs in safety. Strict enforcement of regulations by the Mine Safety and Health Administration and the additional protections a union membership brings are key factors to improving worker safety, and we will work to achieve that goal."
These two stories, separated by 90 years, are another reminder. YOU as a Union member you are part of a movement that has helped change the world, but the struggle for a safe and healthy workplace is something we still strive for today
Wear RED on Thursday. If you are a member of a Union you are paid approximately 20% more! You are four times as likely to have paid health insurance. Ten times more likely to have some kind of pension then Non Union. Why???????
Because you've earned it. You are better trained more productive. You are part of a Brotherhood\Sisterhood that has helped build and make, our country great. Organized labor is older then the USA itself. Ben Franklin was a unionist before he he was a founding father. Every month 1060 tries to illustrate that proud history.
In that history, many have died and many have bled. The idea of Wearing Red as a sign of Solidarity began at The Communications Workers of America in 1989. It began as a movement for a brother who lost his life while on the picket line. A Manager driving scab replacement workers, through a picket line struck down and killed Brother Gerry Horgan. He lost his life, for what he believed in. He wanted what we all want, a good life for his wife, his children, his friends and his country. Local 1103 in Westchester County N.Y. lost a Brother that day. A wife lost her husband and two little girls lost their daddy to Corporate GREED.
Remember, wear RED on Thursday , and please remember Brother Gerry Horgan!