For the last six weeks, workers at a specialty food distributor in Brooklyn have been organizing with the IWW Food and Allied Workers Union(IU460/640) to improve the horrible conditions in their workplace. Faced with working conditions that are reminiscent of 1916 when the shop began its business, these workers receive no overtime pay while routinely working 50 to 60 plus hours a week, enjoy no paid leave of any kind, and are routinely sent home without pay for minor infractions. Tired of this abuse, the workers have put aside their fears of retaliation and have chosen to fight back! The workers have organized with the IWW, and there's now an impressive union majority among the 25 workers at the shop. The IWW is asking all members and supporters to come out and support our newest shop as they confront their boss this Monday. We will be maintaining a picket all day to support the workers and to show the boss the strength of our solidarity.
There will be different stages to the day's actions, so members and supporters are encouraged to pick the time that works best for them and stay as long as they are able. We particularly need people at 5am to start the day off, and at 5pm to end the day with a loud picket.
When: Monday, August 13th, 5am
Where: The park at Scholes between Bushwick and Waterbury. The closest subway stops are the Grand Street L train(walk south on Bushwick, left at Scholes) and the Montrose Ave M train(walk north on Bushwick, right on Scholes).
Schedule of the day's events:
5:00 AM – Meet at the park on Scholes between Bushwick and Waterbury.
5:30 AM – Walk to the shop, confront the boss, and set up an all day picket line
12:00 PM - The workers will spend their lunch time with a religious delegation that will come by and help us demand from the boss a pledge of no-retaliation. A press conference is in the works.
5 – 7:30 PM - A loud picket to finish strong. Our friends from Make the Road by Walking will be stopping by to show their support. We'll keep going until the workers get out of work(usually around 7:30)