In Pursuit of Mysteries

Doing my bit for my brother Workers

News about those fuckers in the management of Powell's.

From a local e-mail list:

FYI for those of you who shop at Powell's you might want to send them an email letting them know that you support worker's rights.

—–Forwarded Message—–
From: ILWUOrganize@aol.com
To: ILWUOrganize@aol.com
Subject: Support Powell's book store workers
Date: 26 Nov 2003 15:38:27 -0500

Dear Sisters and Brohers,

he more than 400 workers at Powell's book store, the nation's largest independent book store, are proud members of Local 5 of the International Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU). Several years ago they went through a protracted, bitter struggle to win their first union contract.

Now, despite the store being owned by a self-proclaimed “liberal” who support union rights for workers as long as they're not HIS employees, is stonewalling.

The contract expired two months ago. During that time, management has harassed and discriminated against union activists and leaders. Management has also put forward contract proposals which would provide minimal raises, hugely offset by cuts in medical benefits that far exceed the meager pay increases.

Management claimed that they would have a new proposal this week, stalling on meeting with the workers as the holiday week approached. But yesterday (Tuesday 11/25) management showed up with nothing new.

Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is the busiest shopping day of the year. Powell's workers will stage a one-day unfair labor practices strike to protest the harassment of their leadership.

This is a key labor struggle for the entire Northwest, as well as for the efforts to improve working conditions in non-food retail. Please join us if you possibly can to send a clear message to Michael Powell and the book store's management team: stop breaking the law - stop violating workers' rights!

Friday, November 28th
9:00 am - 9:00 pm
Powell's City of Books
1005 W Burnside, Portland

Please remember: this is an unfair labor practices strike. Please bring signs, jackets and caps from your union or organization - but please make sure the signs refer to “unfair labor practices” and “workers' rights,” not to any contract issue.

For updated information on the contract struggle, please call Local 5 at 503-228-5047. New information will be posted on the voice message by Thanksgiving day. If you are going to the picket line from the Puget Sound, and need transportation or have room for riders, please drop me a note, and I'll do my best to coordinate rides and riders.

Thanks for your support.

In solidarity,
Paul Bigman
ILWU International Organizer