Durham NC – Reception in Honor of Striking IAMAW Workers

Reception in Honor of Striking IAMAW Workers

Workers in Moncure have been on strike for almost 8 months. Help them out!

Host:	Labor Caucus of the North Carolina Young Democrats
Type:	Causes – Fundraiser
Network:	Global

Date:	Sunday, April 5, 2009
Time:	4:00pm – 6:00pm
Location:	Home of Valerie Johnson
Street:	2905 Alderman Lane
City/Town:	Durham, NC
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Phone:	9194144481
Email:	wccubbison@gmail.com

Description

Join us at a reception in honor of the striking IAMAW Workers in Moncure. They have been on strike for almost 8 months over deplorable working conditions.

This reception will be open to all who can come, we ask that if you are able to please send a check or bring one with you. If you are unable to give (I know times are tough) you are still welcome to join us to honor the heroic efforts these workers are making. We are working on pulling together some special guests, but I can promise that some members of the Union will be on hand to explain their struggle.

Make checks out to IAMAW Local Lodge W369. You can send them to the YDNC Labor Caucus at 220 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, NC 27603. We will be continuously fundraising for these workers until and past this event. We have already raised over $600 and are looking to be able to say that the Young Democrats were able to give significant aid to these workers. There is also talk of organizing a canned food drive, so please stay tuned and get involved.

For more information, read the following articles:
http://www.newsobserver.com/business/story/1419662.html

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-north-carolina-strike6-2009feb06,0,4686470.story?page=1

Press Release – Moncure Plywood Strikers Enter Eighth Month Protest Monday March 16

NEWS ADVISORY                                              March 12, 2009

For More Info: Laura Bickford, Student Action with Workers – 704.236.1233

Miriam Thompson, Moncure Solidarity Committee – 1.917.825.0884

Keith Cook, NC NAACP – 919.302.4177

Moncure Plywood Strikers Enter Eighth Month

On Monday, March 16 at 11 A.M., Chatham and Orange County NAACP Branches, the Student Action with Workers, the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, Chatham County Democrats, Raleigh Fist and the Raging Grannies will ber at 306 Corinth Road, Moncure, NC 27559 in support of the Moncure Plywood workers.

The strike at Moncure Plywood for affordable health care and humane working conditions enters its eighth month.  The owner of Moncure Plywood, Atlas Holdings, has refused to negotiate with the Union.  On Monday, March 16 at 11 A.M., community groups will join the picket line with puppets, posters and drums to support the strikers and to urge Atlas Holdings to meet with workers.

The 109 strikers, members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local W369, went on strike in July 2008 after refusing an imposed contract that would have forced skyrocketing healthcare premiums on them and their families, eliminating their access to affordable health care, required them to work up to seven days a week, and stripped them of their seniority rights to promotions.

“These are working North Carolina families, many who have been employed at Moncure Plywood for decades we are glad to announce they have filed formal complaint with state NAACP to request statewide and national support”, says Keith Cook, district director with the NC NAACP, and one of the participants of the demonstration.  ”We are concerned about the hanging of a noose where the workers have been walking the picket line, and have helped the International Union file an EEOC complaint.”  Over the years the workers have negotiated good salaries and decent benefits which allowed them to buy homes and send children to college.  Atlas Holdings has abandoned these loyal workers by making outrageous demands, using the economic crisis to take away basic rights.”

“The contract we walked away from would have crushed our ability to take care of our families”, said Lewis Cameron, President of the Local 369.   Atlas Holdings has refused to negotiate with the workers.  They have canceled recent negotiations, and have hired 76 workers as “permanent replacements,” a violation of International Labor Organization core labor standards.

Last week seven North Carolina members of Congress asked Atlas  to return to the negotiating table.  On Monday, March 16 the Chatham County Board of Supervisors will consider a resolution that also urges Atlas to return to the bargaining table.