JwJ Calls For a People's Bailout
All across the nation, Jobs with Justice coalitions are organizing for a People's Bailout -- a real stimulus package that addresses the root causes of the economic crisis.
In the South Sound, December saw a series of JwJ actions that grounded our demands in a growing movement. Real economic stimulus includes training for living wage jobs and affordable housing. It includes workers' Right To Organize and Medicare for All.
Unless government leaders change our broken economic system, we can expect the same problems that got us into this mess, regardless of federal stimulus. Whether it is Tacoma's luxury condos, east Pierce County big box stores evicting seniors, or Clover Park Technical College (CPTC) self-serving bureaucrats, we have seen South Sound's government leaders squander our tax-dollars to benefit the wealthy and stifle worker voices.
JwJ activists are now familiar with justice campaigns at Country Aire Manor, Downtown Condos, and CPTC that expose the unraveling of the American Dream. Here's how local campaigns are contributing to our national growing movement:
Worker Rights at Clover Park Technical College - December 11
Public protests led by the teachers union (AFT-WA) with JwJ solidarity have brought more accountability to union-busters spending state funds. In this case, higher education bureaucrats like CPTC's Jim Tuttle are using our tax-dollars on expensive and endless legal appeals to block an overwhelming majority of CPTC staff from negotiating for a workplace that supports quality education. Meanwhile, CPTC is laying off staff due to a state budget crisis.
This demonstrates that even when our local legislators enacted stronger worker rights to organize for CPTC staff, we see the epidemic virus of union-busting spread to public officials accountable to these same legislators. We need something stronger. We need the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) that would squash delay tactics in the corporate sector where it originated and insure a swift and fair process to achieve a voice on the job.
Does Jim Tuttle really think giving money to Democrats buys him a free pass from denying worker rights through delay tactics? In a recent message, he said, “I find it both ironic and disheartening to have received and seen distributed to fellow Democrats in my neighborhood this false defamation of me as a 'Union-buster' mere weeks after I contributed by far the most I've contributed to Democratic candidates in any election cycle in my life.” EFCA would clarify Mr. Tuttle's thinking.
Responsible Development at JwJ's Scrooge Contest - December 10
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The developers of the Point Ruston $1.2 Billion project in the South Sound have sued JwJ in federal court for our campaign demanding responsible development practices. The corporate lawsuit has no merit, and we will move to have it dismissed. Workers and residents deserve justice at Point Ruston. As we adjust to the lawsuit, however, we have temporarily removed campaign reports from our website.
The Point Ruston corporation's lawsuit claims that JwJ's free speech about justice at Point Ruston has had a $10 million impact. The lawsuit is part of a national trend. Corporations that are subjects of JwJ labor and community campaigns are increasingly turning to civil lawsuits. This is simply an effort to counter effective organizing and intimidate community, labor and faith-based activists by imposing financial burdens on us, if only by forcing us to absorb substantial costs for our legal defense.
Please watch this space for further developments. We will shortly have a more complete statement on the developers' legal action, including a press release, as well as information on how you can contribute to JwJ's legal defense fund.
We will continue our efforts to demand responsible development in South Sound, as well as our other activities mobilizing for economic and social justice. We will not let corporate lawsuits silence community organizing and we will not be intimidated. Together with our allies, we will prevail.
Senior Housing at Country Aire Manor - December 9
"Roger the Rat" came to visit Pierce County Council members Roger Bush, Terry Lee, and Shawn Bunney for helping Home Depot evict Puyallup seniors in order to build another poverty-wage paying store 4 miles from their existing store. Mr. Lee had reneged on his promise to stop evictions at manufactured home parks and revisit County zoning that gives Home Depot rights to destroy affordable housing.
Stay tuned, as Mr. Lee gears up to send the County Sheriff to back Home Depot bulldozers at the end of February. As of now, quite a few residents remain at Country Aire with no viable alternatives to find housing. We shall see if Mr. Lee continues his plan to evict senior residents in this and other manufactured home communities.
Our community needs more than money. That money needs to be guided by principles that build our economy like training, healthcare, living wages, and workforce housing. A chunk of federal dollars is not good enough if placed in the hands of our local government officials practiced in the art of plundering for corporate welfare.
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