tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48664049429186572262024-02-06T23:21:18.870-06:00Workers Interfaith Network - Memphis, TNA blog about seeking justice with low-wage workers in the greater Memphis area.Workers Interfaith Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04400890557534428643noreply@blogger.comBlogger89125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866404942918657226.post-24630668626365658912012-12-27T12:47:00.000-06:002012-12-27T12:47:19.810-06:00My justice resolutions<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">by Rebekah Gienapp</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">New Year's is the perfect time to reflect on what we want to be different in our own lives. But it's also a great time to think about <b>what we want to be different in the world</b>. As Gandhi is supposed to have said (but apparently <a href="http://www.elephantjournal.com/2011/08/be-the-change-you-wish-to-see-in-the-world-not-gandhi/" target="_blank">might not have</a>): "you must be the change you wish to see in the world."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since I will soon be leaving the WIN staff and becoming a volunteer just like you, I wanted to make some social justice resolutions. After all, my passion for worker rights hasn't changed, just my job. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are my resolutions:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>1. I will go out of my way to show respect and gratitude to the people who do work on my behalf. </b>Whether that's the waiter who brings me dinner, the postal worker who sells me stamps, and yes even the telephone support person I have to talk to who isn't allowed to bend the rules, I'll express my appreciation. After all, being ignored, disrespected, and having other people's mistakes taken out of them are all common experiences for these workers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>2. I will spend more time in reflection and prayer, so I can better understand God's justice</b> and what God asks of me. I'll be honest: directing WIN and raising an infant (while also moving into a new house) have led to a pretty pitiful spiritual life for me recently. But unless I know who I am and whose I am, I'll be easily distracted away from God's vision for my life and for our world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>3. I will respond to action alerts, even when I fear the cause may be hopeless.</b> I'm specifically thinking of our state legislature, where things look bleak. But I have been surprised many times before. Terrible bills have been stopped because enough people raised their voices. I believe it can happen again, so I will pick up the phone to make that call and I will write that email, even if I fear the recipient of that email is destroying our democracy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>4. I will give my financial support to justice causes</b>. My family is going to unfortunately have to trim some of our charitable giving since we're becoming a one income family. But we'll make sure to continue supporting groups that get down to the root causes of poverty, like <a href="http://www.workersinterfaithnetwork.org/" target="_blank">Workers Interfaith Network</a> (of course), <a href="http://www.iwj.org/" target="_blank">Interfaith Worker Justice</a>, <a href="http://www.midsouthpeace.org/" target="_blank">Mid-South Peace and Justice Center</a>, and <a href="http://www.communitysharestn.org/" target="_blank">Community Shares</a>. Small grassroots groups like these know that while charity is needed, it's not enough.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do you have any resolutions this year that will help you seek and create justice in our world? I'd love to hear them!</span>Workers Interfaith Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04400890557534428643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866404942918657226.post-26650773234726320692012-12-10T09:44:00.000-06:002012-12-10T09:44:07.615-06:00WIN is hiring a bilingual organizer for our Workers' Center<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Help spread the word: we're searching for a bilingual (English/Spanish) organizer for our Memphis Workers' Center. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">If you or someone you know cares about social justice and wants to organize alongside low-wage workers, this is the job for you! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The position will start March 1st. Right now, we're only gauranteeing the position through the end of 2013. It might become a permanent position after that time, depending on how other WIN staff positions are allocated for 2014.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Check out the <a href="http://www.workersinterfaithnetwork.org/NewsDetail.aspx" target="_blank">job description</a> and how to apply on our website.</span>Workers Interfaith Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04400890557534428643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866404942918657226.post-84623045833086643362012-11-13T09:06:00.001-06:002012-11-13T09:07:20.306-06:00What does wage theft look like?<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Wage theft has many different faces, and they're all ugly. There are so many ways that unscrupulous businesses are cheating workers. As we push the Shelby County Commission to <strong><a href="http://www.workersinterfaithnetwork.org/wagetheftordinance/1/2/23.aspx" target="_blank">pass a wage theft ordinance</a></strong>, I want to share just a few examples of what wage theft looks like.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Take the example of <strong>Jenny Meyers,* a Rhodes College student who worked at the downtown TGI Friday' as a waitress</strong>. Her typical day as a server was, for the most part, pretty good. But then she began to notice something. Sometimes her paychecks had big gaps in them that didn't make sense. "I'd be missing $100, $150, and I had to make sure I scrutinized my check and kept up with everything," Jenny says. She started writing down all the tips customers left her on credit cards and keeping receipts. She later found out the payroll manager had been stealing her tips, along with those of other servers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> That wasn't the only wage theft Jenny experienced at the restaurant. On nights when her tips didn't bring her up to the hourly minimum wage, the <strong>restaurant would claim that she received more cash tips than she actually did</strong>. That way they would not have to pay the difference between her tips and federal minimum wage, like the law requires restaurants to do. "I'd go in on a school night when I had a test the next day, come home at 2:00 am from closing, exhausted, with only $15," Jenny says. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> The experience of <strong>Jamal Jones* shows another kind of wage theft</strong>. He works as an oil change technician. At his current job at working for a shop in Bartlett that is part of a national chain, he's been asked by his manager to work on cars when he was on his unpaid lunch break. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> At another oil change shop where Jamal worked for 7 months, <strong>he was expected to work off the clock on an almost daily basis.</strong> Whenever there were no cars in the shop, his supervisor would tell him to clock out. But he had to stay on the job, and clean the shop while he wasn't being paid. As soon as another car would drive up, he was told to clock back in. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Jamal knows of plenty of other employees at oil change shops who are asked to work while on break. Workers are often afraid they'll lose their jobs if they say no. "You're not being forced," he says, "but at the same time, it's a thing you can't do anything about. It makes you feel like you're being used, like you don't have rights."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Jenny and Jamal's stories are just the tip of the iceberg. National research shows that <strong><a href="http://www.unprotectedworkers.org/index.php/broken_laws/index" target="_blank">2 out of 3 low-wage workers experience wage theft</a>.</strong> That's why we need a Shelby County wage theft ordinance now. <a href="http://www.workersinterfaithnetwork.org/wagetheftordinance/1/2/23.aspx" target="_blank"><strong>Want to get involved in the campaign for the ordinance?</strong></a> We'd love to have your participation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*name has been changed</span><br />
<br />Workers Interfaith Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04400890557534428643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866404942918657226.post-4994920223199974472012-11-01T08:45:00.003-05:002012-11-01T08:45:57.276-05:00A big transition is coming at WIN<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's with very mixed emotions that I let you know I will be stepping down as WIN's executive director on January 15th. The experience of motherhood has changed my life, and I've decided that what's best for my family is to stay at home full-time with our son.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I can't tell you how many ways serving as WIN's executive director has blessed me over the past 10 years. The passion and generosity of members like you have allowed us to win victories I didn't imagine were possible when we started. The courage and persistence of so many workers who risked their livelihood inspired me to keep going even when the opposition was powerful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Because I'm WIN's founding director, and I'm often the public face you see representing the organization, you might be wondering what's going to happen next.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I want to assure you that WIN will still be doing the same vital work of standing up against injustice with some of Memphis' most vulnerable workers. We're simply starting the next chapter in our work.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Alfredo Pena, who founded WIN's Workers' Center five years ago and has done an amazing job as its director, will be stepping up to become the interim executive director in January. I hope you'll read his letter introducing himself below. Next year, our board of directors will take the time needed to do a thorough search process for a permanent executive director.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">While I'm often credited for our work, the truth is that the vast majority of our successes are because of other people: my amazing co-workers, our volunteers, and members like you. This work is so much bigger than one person - it always has been and always will be.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I'll still be a familiar face, just as a WIN volunteer rather than a staff person. I look forward to joining you, whether it's on the picket lines or at the Faith and Labor Picnic. Thank you for allowing me to serve as your director. Your trust, your support, your prayers, and your friendship have meant so much.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I know you'll show that same support to Alfredo and the rest of the WIN staff as we begin this transition.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I look forward to the many amazing things you'll continue to achieve through WIN over the coming years!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Sincerely,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Rebekah Gienapp</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">As you and I know, farewells are always sad. Here at WIN, that seems to be the feeling as we get ready for Rebekah's departure from the organization. My coworkers and I support her decision and wish her and her familly the very best.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Even though we are losing our first director, we still have so much good work to do. We will continue to unite with workers seeking justice, and I ask you to continue supporting our work here at WIN. Remember, you are the reason we have been able to achieve so many victories with workers who face unfair wages and unjust working conditions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">As you might know, I have been helping workers organize themselves at WIN's Workers' Center for the past 5 years. I have heard many sad stories of how workers and their families suffer from the actions of bad employers. Before I came to WIN, I was even a victim of wage theft myself. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The abuse against workers never seems to stop, but this has made me commit myself even more to organizing and standing alongside workers. As WIN's interim director, one of the things I hope to bring to the organization is increased leadership by low-wage workers, alongside the people of faith and other allies who have made the organization so strong.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I would like to say thank you for giving me the opportunity to be the next director. Together with your help, we can continue building alliances with workers to seek justice wherever it is needed, just as we have been doing for the last 10 years. You can continue to make WIN grow stronger, so that Memphis workers have fair and safe places to work.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Please <a href="mailto:alfredo@workersinterfaithnetwork.org" target="_blank">email me</a> if you have any questions about WIN's work or our future plans, or if you have ideas you would like to share with me. I can also be reached at (901) 332-3570. I look forward to working with you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Sincerely,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Alfredo Pena</span>Workers Interfaith Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04400890557534428643noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866404942918657226.post-84689415005030627202012-08-31T07:52:00.000-05:002012-08-31T07:52:08.612-05:00Get your 10th anniversary tee-shirt at Faith & Labor Picnic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe I'm biased, but I love our new 10th anniversary tee-shirts, featuring the "Justice Served" logo by Collins Dillard. They're union-made in the USA, and we have regular tee-shirts as well as ladies' cut tees. We've only ordered 100 and I expect them to go fast. They'll be available for $15 at the <a href="http://www.workersinterfaithnetwork.org/NewsDetail.aspx" target="_blank">Faith and Labor Picnic</a> on Labor Day, so be sure to bring your cash, check, Visa or MasterCard.</span>Workers Interfaith Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04400890557534428643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866404942918657226.post-55567196328247835762012-08-23T20:20:00.001-05:002012-08-23T20:20:53.158-05:00Sneak preview of silent auction items at the Faith and Labor Picnic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Want to do a little early Christmas shopping? Or just get something for yourself? Take a look at some of the great items we'll have at our silent auction at the <a href="http://www.workersinterfaithnetwork.org/AttendAnEvent/2/26.aspx" target="_blank">Faith and Labor Picnic</a> on Labor Day.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With these nesting "plarn" bags, you can be a double environmentalist. They're knitted from plastic bags, so they're super strong. Take them to the grocery store, the beach, or anywhere else you need to haul stuff.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have a child in your life that you want to share Bible stories with in a way that's easy for them to relate to? Check out Elaine Blanchard's book and CD <em>Help Me Remember: Bible Stories for Children.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Several artisans have donated some beautiful jewelry, including this Swarovski pearl and sterling silver necklace, earrings, and bracelet made by Anne Walton Garrison.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And this handblown glass "dream" pendant by Marjorie Levy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Marjorie has also donated a beautiful pair of glass earrings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know I'm always a little stumped about what to give to the guys in my life. This handmade walnut pen and case made by Ken Burnette might be a good choice!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love the <a href="http://www.majesticgrille.com/" target="_blank">Majestic Grille</a>, and was so excited when they donated a $50 gift certificate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By now you've problem seen the fabulous 10th anniversary "Justice Served" logo that Collins Dillard designed for our new WIN tee-shirts and our Picnic flyer. He'll be donating a framed print of it for the auction.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do you (or a lady in your life) love Avon? Christine Booker has donated this Avon basket full of bath items and a jewelry set.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Potter Melissa Bridgman donated a honeypot last year, but I think this year's is even cuter! It includes a wooden honey dipper.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For all you hardcore Midtown folks, Jaime Winton has donated this Midtown Memphis print, along with matching notecards. All the letters are made from pictures she took in Midtown.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you're a WIN activist, you might be interested in this photo book I made about our last 10 years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bring a little fair trade home with you with this set of 2 mugs, coffee, and chocolate from the St. John's United Methodist Church Artisan store.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If that's not enough coffee for you, we'll also have a $25 Starbucks gift card.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">If you've heard <a href="http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/oct/30/amazing-grace-i/" target="_blank">John Kilzer</a> perform at last year's Picnic or around town, I know you'll be interested in the three CD set he's donated: <em>The Way Live</em> (just released!), <em>The Journey</em>, and <em>The Travelling Cokesburys</em>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you see something you're interested in, be sure to bring some extra cash, your checkbook, or your Visa or MasterCard to the Picnic. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And just a reminder: this Monday, August 27th is the last day to get your <a href="https://www.chi-cash-advance.com/sforms/appeal786/Contribute.aspx" target="_blank">discounted Picnic tickets on our website</a>.</span></div>
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Workers Interfaith Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04400890557534428643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866404942918657226.post-47810059567633122542012-08-08T13:44:00.001-05:002012-08-08T13:44:46.517-05:00Ways you can make the 10th annual Faith and Labor Picnic a success<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This year's Faith and Labor Picnic will be like no other because it's WIN's 10th anniversary and our 10th Picnic! I'm so excited about celebrating your successes in upholding workers' rights, and about where your Workers Interfaith Network is headed in the next 10 years. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Here are some things you can do to make sure the Picnic raises the funds - and fun - that our movement for worker justice needs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">1) <strong>Become a Picnic sponsor.</strong> Whether you sponsor at the $1,000 or $10 level, your gift will support workers who are organizing to win living wages and to stop wage theft. If you want your name to be included in our Picnic program guide, we must <strong>receive your Picnic sponsorship by August 20th. </strong>You can <a href="https://www.chi-cash-advance.com/sforms/appeal786/Contribute.aspx" target="_blank">sponsor online</a>, or call (901) 332-3570. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2) <strong>Volunteer the day of the Picnic.</strong> From running the MoonBounce to serving food, it takes a lot of volunteers to keep things running smoothly. <a href="mailto:rebekah@workersinterfaithnetwork.org" target="_blank">Contact me</a> if you're willing to volunteer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">3) <strong>Get your tickets today, and get a 15% discount. </strong>Advance tickets are just $10 for adults, $5 for kids, or a maximum of $30 for families. <a href="https://www.chi-cash-advance.com/sforms/appeal786/Contribute.aspx" target="_blank">Discounted tickets are available online</a> until August 27th. You can can also buy discounted tickets from a WIN volunteer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4) <strong>Bake WIN a batch of birthday cupcakes</strong>. We'll be celebrating WIN's birthday with cakes and cupcakes. If you can make homemade cupcakes for the Picnic, please <a href="mailto:rebekah@workersinterfaithnetwork.org" target="_blank">contact me</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5) <strong>Have a gift card you don't plan to use?</strong> Donate it to WIN for our auction and doorprize give-a-ways at the Picnic. Mail your gift card to WIN, 3035 Directors Row, B - 1207, Memphis, TN 38131. Also, be on the lookout for our auction preview, which I'll post the week before the Picnic. This year we'll have a bigger variety of items to bid on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">6) <strong>Post a Picnic flyer</strong> at your congregation, union hall, business, or community organization. You can download an English flyer <a href="http://www.workersinterfaithnetwork.org/upload/Documents/flyer%20english%20final.pdf" target="_blank">here</a> or a Spanish flyer <a href="http://www.workersinterfaithnetwork.org/upload/Documents/flyer%20espanol%20final.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>. </span><br />Workers Interfaith Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04400890557534428643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866404942918657226.post-13260423963759007532012-08-02T09:58:00.000-05:002012-08-02T09:59:03.130-05:007 things you can do to help pass the Shelby County wage theft ordinance<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Two out of three low-wage workers are affected by wage theft. It's time for a local wage theft law!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"> People all across Shelby County are sending our County Commissioners a clear message: all workers should be paid for their work. And when you aren't paid, you should have an easy way to recover your stolen wages.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"> That's why we're calling on the Shelby County Commission to <a href="http://www.workersinterfaithnetwork.org/wagetheftordinance/1/2/23.aspx" target="_blank">pass a local wage theft ordinance</a>. They'll only pass the law if enough of us press them to do so. I hope you'll join other workers, people of faith, students, and activists in our campaign to stop wage theft.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Here are 7 things you can do to help get the wage theft ordinance passed:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">1) <strong>Learn more</strong> about what wage theft is and why the local wage theft ordinance is needed. Want the quick version? <a href="http://www.workersinterfaithnetwork.org/upload/Documents/wt_one_pager.pdf" target="_blank">Download our one page summary</a> of the wage theft ordinance. Want to go more in-depth? Read our report <a href="http://www.workersinterfaithnetwork.org/upload/Newsletter/sc_wage_theft_report.pdf" target="_blank">"The Epidemic of Wage Theft in Shelby County."</a> It has stories of workers like Cynthia Marquez, who took a waitressing job to put herself through college and was only paid in customer tips.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">2) <strong><a href="http://www.change.org/petitions/shelby-county-commissioner-pass-a-wage-theft-law-for-shelby-county" target="_blank">Sign the electronic petition</a></strong> to County Commissioners, calling on them to support the ordinance, and meet with members of the Stop Wage Theft Coalition to talk about the proposed law.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">3) <strong>Collect petition signatures on our printed petitions</strong> from your friends, co-workers, members of your congregation or union, or your neighbors. We'll deliver these to Commissioners at a rally in September. <a href="mailto:kyle@workersinterfaithnetwork.org" target="_blank">Contact Kyle Kordsmeier</a> to get petition forms.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">4) <strong>Invite a WIN staff member to come speak</strong> about the wage theft campaign to your group. This is our most powerful way to spread the word about the campaign! We'll speak to Sunday School classes, Bible studies and women's groups; student organizations; union meetings; neighborhood associations; political organizations, and more. We can do something short or a longer (30 minutes or so) presentation. If you'd like a speaker, let <a href="mailto:kyle@workersinterfaithnetwork.org" target="_blank">Kyle Kordsmeier</a> know.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">5) <strong>Ask your congregation, union, community group, or business to endorse</strong> the wage theft campaign. Again, Kyle Kordsmeier can give you endorsement forms or additional info about this.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">6) Of course, it also takes money to run this campaign. <strong><a href="https://www.chi-cash-advance.com/sforms/appeal786/Contribute.aspx" target="_blank">Become a sponsor</a></strong> of our Faith and Labor Picnic to help raise the funds needed to pass the wage theft ordinance.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">7) <strong><a href="http://www.workersinterfaithnetwork.org/Volunteer/4/35.aspx" target="_blank">Sign up to be a volunteer</a></strong> with Workers Interfaith Network. We need folks to do everything from being part of lobbying delegations to calling our members about actions they can take. Fill out our volunteer form here, and under the "special skills I'd like to share" be sure to indicate you'd like to help with the wage theft ordinance campaign.</span></div>
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</tbody></table>Workers Interfaith Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04400890557534428643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866404942918657226.post-85509492632543764322012-07-31T11:50:00.000-05:002012-07-31T15:47:31.947-05:00<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wage theft stinks! A message from my baby</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Even babies know that wage theft stinks! That's why my son Daniel is asking you to join him in the fight against wage theft by <strong><a href="https://www.chi-cash-advance.com/sforms/appeal786/Contribute.aspx" target="_blank">sponsoring the Faith and Labor Picnic</a></strong>.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2NtshV4UXvjfd-S-MC_TxO2P8LBqBLK26picFYDgCq123J3VEbvHD9aSP-au5UyGEZoHlzj8GAdBqer_ytB2DH-WolAfHIl3PizQPQiMnabbqwYH_UFEHixt1swApp-m9K9BCerOJgEOX/s1600/IMG_1662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2NtshV4UXvjfd-S-MC_TxO2P8LBqBLK26picFYDgCq123J3VEbvHD9aSP-au5UyGEZoHlzj8GAdBqer_ytB2DH-WolAfHIl3PizQPQiMnabbqwYH_UFEHixt1swApp-m9K9BCerOJgEOX/s320/IMG_1662.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Daniel has been counting up our Faith and Labor Picnic sponsorships, and he tells me that we're over halfway to our goal of $6,250 in sponsorships. But he needs your help to make sure we meet our goal!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Here are just a few ways that <a href="https://www.chi-cash-advance.com/sforms/appeal786/Contribute.aspx" target="_blank">your sponsorship</a> will stop stinky wage theft:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">making possible our new campaign for a Shelby County wage theft ordinance. When it's passed, workers will have a simple way to recover their stolen wages from employers.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">supporting our Workers' Center, which has used community pressure to recover over $71,000 in stolen wages in the last four years.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">educating workers about their rights to fair pay and ways they can prevent wage theft.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I know that you want to stop wage theft as much as Daniel does. So please, <a href="https://www.chi-cash-advance.com/sforms/appeal786/Contribute.aspx" target="_blank">become a Faith and Labor Picnic sponsor</a> today! And Daniel says thanks to all of you who have already sponsored.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Sincerely,</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwjK4QKxtSlHfyPk88IVqwGHUn7kEIZm0kftPlY1yZ9j4ne97Umstkw-_Ro0AJtbPwri2WeJ4RnBPu8tZwPgvzCk6d5vaaw8O0opFah8zLOtyO9Ye1MGR4EamFEV7Ye2Qha5oTZjlaXlEy/s1600/rebekah_gienapp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="48" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwjK4QKxtSlHfyPk88IVqwGHUn7kEIZm0kftPlY1yZ9j4ne97Umstkw-_Ro0AJtbPwri2WeJ4RnBPu8tZwPgvzCk6d5vaaw8O0opFah8zLOtyO9Ye1MGR4EamFEV7Ye2Qha5oTZjlaXlEy/s200/rebekah_gienapp.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WIN's executive director and Daniel's mom</span></div>Workers Interfaith Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04400890557534428643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866404942918657226.post-18923624701384180452012-06-08T12:22:00.002-05:002012-06-08T14:07:13.968-05:00Help launch our Stop Wage Theft Campaign!<span id="yui_3_2_0_1_1339175663084153" style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_1339175663084150" style="font-size: 12pt;">Work is fundamental to who we are as human beings. Work has different meanings for different people, but for all workers, it is the way we meet our basic needs, sustaining ourselves and our families. For too many residents in Shelby County, their hard work is often underappreciated and even goes unpaid. These workers are victims of wage theft.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Many workers each year experience wage theft, often forcing them to choose between paying their rent or putting food on the table. I invite you to stand with workers and ask our county to put an end to wage theft today!</span></span><br />
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<strong style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Take action: </span></strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's what you can do to help stop Wage Theft in Shelby Couty:</span></span><br />
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<strong style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">1) Call the Board of Commissioners at </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">901-222-1000</span></strong><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Tell your Commissioner it is necessary for workers to have a process to file complaints against employers who steal wages from employees in Shelby County. Our entire community benefits when workers are paid correctly and all employers are held to the same standards.</span><br />
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<span id="yui_3_2_0_1_1339175663084147" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b id="yui_3_2_0_1_1339175663084144"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_1339175663084141" style="font-size: 14pt;">2) Read and Share </span></b></span><a href="http://cts.vresp.com/c/?WorkersInterfaithNet/7f6845c0f9/830151a304/981b1cec21" id="yui_3_2_0_1_1339175663084137" rel="nofollow" style="color: #234786; outline: 0px;" target="_blank"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_1339175663084136" style="font-size: 14pt;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_1339175663084135" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The Epidemic of Wage Theft in Shelby County, Tennessee. <em>Stories of Unprotected Workers and How We Can Address This Crisis. </em></span></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">This wage theft report shares the experiences of 7 workers in Shelby County that have experienced wage theft, gives background information about wage theft, and ways that you can help prevent wage theft. <strong>Page 14 of the report includes e-mail addresses for all County Commissioners! </strong></span><br />
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<b><strong><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">3)</span> </span><a href="http://cts.vresp.com/c/?WorkersInterfaithNet/7f6845c0f9/830151a304/5b27f34591" rel="nofollow" style="color: #234786; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; outline: 0px;" target="_blank">Read Windi Thomas's excellent article</a></strong><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> on WIN's campaign to get a wage theft law passed </span></b><span style="font-size: medium;">that appeared in the Commercial Appeal on Sunday, June 3, 2012</span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">. </span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Thank you for standing with workers struggling for justice on the job!</span></span></span></div>Workers Interfaith Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04400890557534428643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866404942918657226.post-63677266950796247452012-03-14T13:27:00.000-05:002012-03-14T13:27:35.711-05:00Make a gift to WIN during March and it will be doubled!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlv9VEREehM5NhDdzqhvePZA9L6vRabUOnORBirhf35OZPHnf3hwPWPg6bebwU6VHpynY30Uue8WzNdDraanoTjjIgamqPDkQIhIw6MKhXay41TClfrqjHf62NEZqKp1av0Xp-lz4pKkX4/s1600/kc_cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlv9VEREehM5NhDdzqhvePZA9L6vRabUOnORBirhf35OZPHnf3hwPWPg6bebwU6VHpynY30Uue8WzNdDraanoTjjIgamqPDkQIhIw6MKhXay41TClfrqjHf62NEZqKp1av0Xp-lz4pKkX4/s320/kc_cropped.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>WIN members KC and Jeff Warren will double your gift to WIN during the month of March!</em></span><br />
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</tbody></table><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gifts from members like you are WIN's number one source of support. Without your generosity, we can't stand up against wage theft or organize for living wages.</span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial;">This month is an excellent time to make a gift to WIN, because your gift will be doubled! WIN members KC and Jeff Warren have agreed to double any gift you make in March.</span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The Warrens have agreed to match up to $4,000 in gifts during March. <strong>So far, our generous members have given $2,586.</strong> Can you help us reach our goal of $4,000 with a gift?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">If you join WIN's <a href="http://www.workersinterfaithnetwork.org/MonthlyGiving/7/22/14.aspx" target="_blank">Allies for Justice monthly giving program</a>, the Warrens will double all your monthly gifts for 2012! Monthly giving is convenient for you, because you don't have to remember to send in your gift. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Monthly giving also saves WIN's resources and stretches your gift farther. Less effort to ask for your gifts means WIN has more resources for workers facing injustice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong><a href="https://www.chi-cash-advance.com/sforms/appeal785/Contribute.aspx" target="_blank">Make your gift securely online</a></strong>, or mail your donation to WIN, 3035 Directors Row, B - 1207, Memphis, TN 38131. </span></div>Workers Interfaith Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04400890557534428643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866404942918657226.post-55143741018911016582012-03-08T16:02:00.000-06:002012-03-08T16:02:16.874-06:0040 Hour Fast to Unite Reflection, Action Against Wage Theft<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnPAIXhohEFGD4XHw-7dr7lPZk0idFWIIYrzz0xP_ml8G90iVNN2Z46FxXZuNl-TT8bAkVNDU0WDlTdnqI-b-8WDhaVSW0sreeyfk7qRKsbS14Sdm1q8HDUyeqqP73FtlGlrU5p0gcETST/s1600/_GDB0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnPAIXhohEFGD4XHw-7dr7lPZk0idFWIIYrzz0xP_ml8G90iVNN2Z46FxXZuNl-TT8bAkVNDU0WDlTdnqI-b-8WDhaVSW0sreeyfk7qRKsbS14Sdm1q8HDUyeqqP73FtlGlrU5p0gcETST/s320/_GDB0018.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> You're invited to join the <strong>40 Hour Fast: from Wage Theft to a Moral Economy</strong>. From Thursday, March 22nd at 7:00 p.m. until Saturday, March 24th at 11:00 a.m., workers, people of faith, and community members will join together in prayer, reflection, sacrifice, and action.</span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The fast is being held because two out of three low-wage workers experience <a href="http://www.workersinterfaithnetwork.org/WageTheft/1/2.aspx" target="_blank">wage theft</a>. Things don't have to be this way. We can build a moral economy that reflects <a href="http://www.workersinterfaithnetwork.org/FaithAndJustice/2/7/4.aspx" target="_blank">God's justice for workers</a>, where everyone who works shares in the fruits of their labor.</span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> I invite you to <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dGZ1VFRqZ296SW1leGh0c2t3djVHNlE6MQ" target="_blank"><strong>sign the pledge to join the 40 Hour Fast</strong></a>. There are a variety of ways you can participate in the fast, including:</span></div><ul><li><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Going without solid food for as much of the 40 hour period as you can</strong>. This may mean fasting the entire time; fasting from sunset to sunrise; or fasting from one or more meals.</span></div></li>
<li><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Joining with others for an <strong>opening interfaith prayer vigil</strong> on March 22nd, and/or a <strong>closing meal</strong> on March 24th (see below for details).</span></div></li>
<li><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Reflecting and praying</strong> for workers who experience wage theft, and for employers who steal from them.</span></div></li>
<li><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Taking action against wage theft by <strong>calling Mis Pueblos Restaurant on Hacks Cross Rd</strong>., which currently owes a group of 5 workers over $31,000 in stolen wages. Call manager Guillermo Diaz at (901) 751-8896. Urge him to pay the $31,000 in wages he owes to his workers. Tell him you want to see the restaurant follow all minimum wage and overtime laws for their workers.</span></div></li>
</ul><div align="left"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">Interfaith Prayer Vigil to Open the Fast</span></strong></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Even if you're not physically able to fast, please join us in praying with workers who face wage theft.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Thursday, March 22nd at 7:00 p.m.</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">St. John's United Methodist Church</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">1207 Peabody Ave.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Featuring a reflection by Rabbi Aaron Rubinstein of Beth Sholom Synagogue</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The vigil will be held in the chapel. Please enter the church through the green canopy entrance, off of the parking lot.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Simple Meal and Breaking of the Bread Service to Close the Fast</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">After a short service to close our fast, we will join together in a simple meal of soup and bread.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday, March 24th at 11:00 a.m.</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Collins Chapel CME Church</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">678 Washington Ave.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dGZ1VFRqZ296SW1leGh0c2t3djVHNlE6MQ" target="_blank">Sign the pledge</a> to join the 40 hour fast, or <a href="http://www.workersinterfaithnetwork.org/upload/Documents/wage%20theft%20fast%20flyer.pdf" target="_blank">download this flyer</a> to learn more and spread the word.</span></div>Workers Interfaith Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04400890557534428643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866404942918657226.post-71137932051560999542012-02-29T22:19:00.000-06:002012-02-29T22:19:24.104-06:00Video: WIN director discusses living wage repeal on Fox 13<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Workers Interfaith Network talks on Fox 13 about the state legislature's attempt to repeal your local living wage laws. </span><br />
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<div style="width: 320px;"><a href="http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/dpp/news/politics/state_politics/state-bill-could-end-fair-wage-law-mfo-20120229">State Bill Could End Fair Wage Law: MyFoxMEMPHIS.com</a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ready to take action? <a href="http://www.change.org/petitions/tell-tn-legislators-stop-the-living-wage-repeal" target="_blank">Sign the petition</a> to the House State and Local Government Committee, urging members to vote no on the living wage repeal.</span>Workers Interfaith Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04400890557534428643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866404942918657226.post-83147500456691096242012-02-16T09:00:00.000-06:002012-02-16T09:00:57.249-06:00Your Workers' Center stops wage theft by working with workers, not for them<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Your partnership with workers seeking justice: an insider's peek into WIN's Workers' Center</em></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXm8UErOR2DyDFxpnuBdpTGxGmTkI74YmawPBheahghnAQQhgpkHEBOnNehSSMjRpCDEh-97Yez20l4WlEP1zDCyiTnxPip7AZOJw_WYxvDsy5vnQoVTxChqSQVs3TbS5sebeFOSBfgYuq/s1600/delmar_vasquez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXm8UErOR2DyDFxpnuBdpTGxGmTkI74YmawPBheahghnAQQhgpkHEBOnNehSSMjRpCDEh-97Yez20l4WlEP1zDCyiTnxPip7AZOJw_WYxvDsy5vnQoVTxChqSQVs3TbS5sebeFOSBfgYuq/s320/delmar_vasquez.jpg" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Delmar Vasquez appreciated that through the Workers' Center, "I got to be part of solving my problem."</em></span><br />
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<div align="left"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> As <a href="http://www.workersinterfaithnetwork.org/MemphisWorkersCenter/2/6.aspx" target="_blank">WIN's Workers' Center</a> takes on wage theft cases, we have two equally important goals: recovering wages, and building workers' power.</span></span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In 2008, Delmar Vasquez contacted WIN's Workers' Center after a cleaning company refused to pay him for a month's worth of work. He soon learned that the Workers' Center would use labor laws to support his <a href="http://www.workersinterfaithnetwork.org/wagetheft/1/2.aspx" target="_blank">wage theft</a> case. However, he would be much more involved in resolving his case than he would have been if he'd just contacted a lawyer.</span></span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"> That's because one of the ideas that guides your Workers' Center is this: we're here to partner with workers in resolving their cases, not to do things for them. </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"> </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"> This means that when public actions such as vigils or pickets are planned, workers like Vasquez are expected to participate in them. While this new experience can be intimidating at first, workers often leave with a greater sense of the power they have to challenge injustice.</span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"> Vasquez took part in a delegation to one of the businesses that he had cleaned while working for the cleaning contractor that owed him money. He also talked about his case at public forums on the crisis of wage theft. Now, he's become a member of the Steering Committee for WIN's Workers' Center. He frequently talks with other workers who face the same injustices he did, and he encourages them to speak out.</span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"> Vasquez recovered the full $1,437 he was owed for his work. One of the things he appreciates most about his involvement in the Workers' Center goes beyond the wages he recovered. "I got to learn the facts more about my rights and how we can organize. I was not depending on someone else to solve my problem. At the Center, you get to be part of solving your problem," Vasquez says.</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Workers Interfaith Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04400890557534428643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866404942918657226.post-70292941036659496632012-02-10T10:21:00.000-06:002012-02-10T10:21:30.758-06:00March 7th Lobby Day: Your Chance to Defend Workers' Rights<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Legislators' decisions in Nashville will have major impact on workers throughout state</span></strong><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>"There's just an energy in the air," Renee Dillard says of her experience at Lobby Day last year.</em></span><br />
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</tbody></table><div align="left"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">State Decisions, Local Impact</span></strong></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> What happens in Nashville does not stay in Nashville. Decisions made by state legislators can change the lives of workers in Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Martin, and all across the state.</span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just ask public school teachers who <a href="http://www.winmemphis.blogspot.com/2011/05/tennessee-legislative-wrap-up-one-for.html" target="_blank">lost their right to collective bargaining</a> last year. Or ask a low-wage worker at the University of Memphis who finally got her <a href="http://www.winmemphis.blogspot.com/2011/10/speak-out-for-living-wage-on-november.html" target="_blank">first pay raise in four years. </a></span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> That's why Workers Interfaith Network and the <a href="http://www.ucw-cwa.org/" target="_blank">United Campus Workers</a> union invite you to join forces in a <a href="http://livingwagelobbyday.eventbrite.com/" target="_blank">statewide Lobby Day at the legislature</a> on Wednesday, March 7th.</span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">Your Chance to Be Courageous</span></strong></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Before participating in Lobby Day last year, Rev. Renee Dillard says she hadn't been to the state capitol since a 7th grade field trip. "Lobbying was a little intimidating to think about," she says. "But the training I got ahead of time helped me know what to expect and how to talk about the issues. On Lobby Day, I met new people, and the exchanges we had with legislators were more positive than I thought they would be. It felt good to know I was doing my part to make a difference with workers."</span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">What We're Asking Legislators to Do</span></strong></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> On Lobby Day, we'll be pressing our legislators on two main issues. The first is rejecting a dangerous and misguided <a href="http://www.winmemphis.blogspot.com/2011/12/gov-haslam-must-go-farther-in-stopping.html" target="_blank">bill that bans living wage ordinances</a> in our state. If passed, Sen. Kelsey and Rep. Casada's bill will repeal large portions of the living wage laws that the City of Memphis and Shelby County passed years ago. The bills are just one example of conversative lawmakers who say they believe in local government control for one moment, then turn around and interfere in local affairs when they don't like something a city governmet does.</span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> The second focus of Lobby Day will be pressing legislators to <strong>pass a fair pay raise for employees at public colleges</strong> and universities across Tennessee. In his State of the State address, Gov. Haslam proposed a 2.5 percent pay raise for state workers. While this proposal is a good start, a percentage raise won't do much for workers who are paid poverty wages. For example, a typical custodian at the University of Memphis would get a $425 annual raise under the Governor's proposal, while the University President would get a $7,600 raise.</span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> At Lobby Day, you'll be pushing for a much more fair solution: a $1 per hour pay increase for all higher education employees. While top administrators don't need a huge bump in pay, ordinary workers will use this pay raise to meet urgent, basic needs for their families.</span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> During Lobby Day, we'll also rally on the capitol steps for good jobs and living wages at noon.</span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><strong>Sign up for March 7th Lobby Day</strong></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <strong> </strong><a href="http://livingwagelobbyday.eventbrite.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Register for Lobby Day online</strong></a> or call Zach Ferguson at 901-332-3570 for more information. Once you have registered, we'll schedule lobbying appointments for you and arrange for your transportation. At this point, we know for sure we will have buses leaving from Memphis and Knoxville, and there will probably be caravans forming in other cities.</span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Schedule for Lobby Day</strong></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The Memphis bus will leave at 5:30 a.m. Central time and the Knoxville bus will leave at 7:00 a.m. Eastern time.</span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial;">9:00 - 10:30 Training for lobbying teams</span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial;">10:30 - noon Visits to legislators in teams</span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Noon - 1:00 Rally on the capitol steps</span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial;">1:00 - 3:00 Visits to legislators and/or lunch break</span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial;">3:00 Return to home cities</span></div><div align="left"><br />
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</div>Workers Interfaith Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04400890557534428643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866404942918657226.post-39160824120385378692012-01-13T13:43:00.000-06:002012-01-13T13:43:39.351-06:00Your best shot at protecting workers rights in the legislature<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEild0PA9L8XA7v_1NMYRAQhfw7dv2opgfNc_3bVLkAwJIbvQUo9kt_q-kLv-kENNxJziqRCUDpmMbVQk1cV-2cG8Lf3gDyXg1Qx1QF8IldCKIx5d6xCaeWoyAOFQQY5fwkfSd7w23dpQVlE/s1600/legislature_header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEild0PA9L8XA7v_1NMYRAQhfw7dv2opgfNc_3bVLkAwJIbvQUo9kt_q-kLv-kENNxJziqRCUDpmMbVQk1cV-2cG8Lf3gDyXg1Qx1QF8IldCKIx5d6xCaeWoyAOFQQY5fwkfSd7w23dpQVlE/s320/legislature_header.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The Tennessee legislature went into session this week, spending most of its time fighting over re-districting lines. But it won't take long before legislators begin debating bills that will have a big impact on the rights of workers across our state.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> <strong>Workers Interfaith Network wants to help advocates like you be more prepared and informed this year</strong>. That's why we're launching a brand new email list dedicated to tracking and taking action on worker rights bills in the legislature. <a href="http://www.workersinterfaithnetwork.org/statelegislativealerts/7/24/21.aspx" target="_blank">Sign up here so that you'll know exactly what to do</a> when critical bills come up, like:</span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial;">positive bills that will <strong>create fair raises</strong> for Tennessee's public higher education workers</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">negative bills that will <strong>repeal our local living wage</strong> and prevailing wage laws</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">negative bills that will <strong>take away the voice of union members</strong> in our political process</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">negative bills that <strong>scapegoat immigrant workers</strong> and don't protect their labor rights.</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Arial;"> You may have noticed a pattern: a lot more negative proposals than positive ones. If you kept up with 2011 legislative session, you know that workers' rights were under heavy attack. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> Tennessee's teachers were stripped of the collective bargaining rights they had for over 30 years. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Legislators passed a bill that gives permission to local government contractors to discriminate against workers based on sexual orientation.</span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another law passed requires Tennessee employers to use the deeply flawed e-verify system to check workers' immigration status, an act that will surely lead to hiring discrimination against job applicants who look or sound foreign.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> If you're like me, you're ready to let legislators know that you expect them to stand up for Tennessee's workers, not attack them. So please, <a href="http://www.workersinterfaithnetwork.org/statelegislativealerts/7/24/21.aspx" target="_blank">sign up for legislative alerts today</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> You may be asking, <strong>"If I already get emails from WIN, do I need to sign up for legislative alerts?"</strong> Yes, if you want to take action at the legislature, please sign up. This is a separate list from our general WIN email list, which mostly concerns local Memphis issues.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> How else can you stand with Tennessee's workers at the legislature this year?</span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Share this post on your Twitter or Facebook page, or easily email to your friends by clicking on one of the buttons at the end of this post. Let people know why you're signing up for alerts, and encourage them to as well. <strong>We need folks from every county in the state to sign up!</strong></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">If you're part of a union, community group, or congregation that has a gathering coming up, use our <a href="http://www.workersinterfaithnetwork.org/upload/Documents/statewide%20alert%20sign%20up.pdf" target="_blank">print sign up sheet to collect names</a> of others who want to be on the list. Then, just mail it back to WIN using the address at the bottom of the sign up sheet.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Save the date for a <strong>worker rights lobby day in Nashville on Wednesday, March 7th</strong>. Transportation will be available from Memphis and Knoxville, and may be available from other cities too. More information will be coming soon on the blog and through the legislative alert email list.</span></li>
</ul>Workers Interfaith Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04400890557534428643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866404942918657226.post-11743822882774888932011-12-21T11:20:00.000-06:002011-12-21T11:20:50.508-06:00Gov. Haslam must go farther in stopping living wage repeal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAHPbvLp9Fug5mtZlYf1y64H_SXkx66Jq-Sburr5RVW4EZHq9CYamIYuaET4WRUB76vfPdksbSD73LHSI-7xXkJYYonTSy0QJbznLq51OEBxdRoteo1uDwFlUDL7D1yQl_sxahzWi4jRPF/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAHPbvLp9Fug5mtZlYf1y64H_SXkx66Jq-Sburr5RVW4EZHq9CYamIYuaET4WRUB76vfPdksbSD73LHSI-7xXkJYYonTSy0QJbznLq51OEBxdRoteo1uDwFlUDL7D1yQl_sxahzWi4jRPF/s320/010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last week, Gov. Bill Haslam stated in a <strong><a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505245_162-57342219/tenn-gov-allow-locals-to-set-wage-standards/" target="_blank">national CBS story</a></strong> that he didn't think the state should be getting involved in local governments' decisions about passing living wage laws. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But Haslam stopped short of saying whether he would veto a proposed legislature ban on local living wage ordinances.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.change.org/petitions/tell-governor-haslam-veto-any-repeal-of-local-living-wage-laws">Sign the petition to Gov. Haslam</a>, telling him he should commit now to vetoing any ban or repeal of living wage ordinances in Tennessee communities. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>What is this bill about?</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">For those of you who are new to the living wage fight here in Tennessee, here's some background. In 2006, the City of Memphis passed our state's first living wage ordinance, require the City's contractors to pay workers at least $10.27 an hour with health insurance, or $12.32 an hour without insurance. In 2007, Shelby County passed a similar law for their local government contractors.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The logic behind these laws is simple: workers on government contracts are doing work for the City and are paid by taxpayer dollars. Therefore, the City has a special responsibility to make sure its resources are not being used to create poverty jobs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Ever since activists like you got these living wage laws passed, state legislators (including many who don't live anywhere near Shelby County) have tried to get these laws repealed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>What happened to local control?</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">While a living wage should not be a partisan issue, most Republican state legislators are not in favor of living wage initiatives. As the Tennessee legislature has grown a deeper shade of red the past couple of years, this has put our local living wage laws in serious jepoardy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The ban on living wages would also mean other local governments in Tennessee would never be able to debate and consider their own living wage laws for their local government contractors.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Gov. Haslam stated in the CBS article that "he's not a fan of living wages." We're not asking him or state legislators to promote living wage laws. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">We are asking them to <strong>uphold a principle that conservatives do say they support: local decisions should be made at the local level</strong>. Aren't our local elected officials in a better position to decide what to do with their own contracts than the state is? If the federal government had new requirements for state of Tennessee contractors, conservative state legislators would howl about big government interference in their affairs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Gov. Haslam's statements are a good start to taking the momentum away from the living wage repeal bill. <strong>But we need more than just words: we need a commitment</strong> that he will veto this bill if the legislature passes it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>What you can do:</strong></span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.change.org/petitions/tell-governor-haslam-veto-any-repeal-of-local-living-wage-laws"><strong>Sign our change.org petition to Gov. Haslam</strong></a> urging him to pledge to veto the living wage repeal.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Spread the word among your friends across Tennessee</strong> that their signatures are also needed. Change.org has easy to use features that allow you to share the petition with your Facebook friends, on Twitter, or by email. </span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Misleading comments from Sen. Brian Kelsey</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong> </strong>In the CBS article about Haslam's comments, Sen. Brian Kelsey, a sponsor of the anti-living wage bill, tried to claim his actions stem from a concern about the working poor. The truth is that Sen. Kelsey is trying to mislead people about what local living wage ordinances actually do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> Kelsey claims that living wage ordinances cause unemployment among minority teens, presumably because companies paying living wages would no longer want to hire these young workers. <strong>His statement makes people think that living wage ordinances cover all businesses, when they are actually very targeted. </strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> Living wage ordinances only cover local government contractors, and only cover the jobs that are performed directly for the City or County. The jobs covered by our local living wage laws are primarily janitorial, security, and landscaping jobs worked during the school day. Teens would not be filling these jobs even if they paid the minimum wage. Furthermore, the Shelby County ordinance specifically exempts contractors from paying a living wage to persons under the age of 18 or those completing student internships.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Do you hear an outcry from businesses?</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> Rep. Glen Casada, sponsor of the House version of the anti-living wage bill, complains that living wage ordinances are just too burdensome on businesses. <a href="http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111204/NEWS21/311230160/GOP-may-block-living-wage-" target="_blank">In a <em>Tennessean</em> article</a>, he said businesses just can't keep up with different wage requirements in different places.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> If this is true, where is the outcry from businesses in Memphis and Shelby County about our living wage ordinances? When these bills were being debated, I was present at each of the three City votes and County votes where the bill was heard. No business came forward to say that these ordinances would hurt them if passed. I've heard legislators like Casada claim to speak for these businesses, but I haven't seem local contractors going to the legislature, calling for the living wage repeal to be passed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> <strong>The truth is, the living wage repeal is not being requested by businesses</strong>. It is a huge overreach by state government into local government affairs. And it hurts workers who have been taking care of their families for years now with the living wages they earn. We must let Gov. Haslam, and all our legislators know, that Tennesseans do not want this bill. </span>Workers Interfaith Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04400890557534428643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866404942918657226.post-2515309392403493032011-11-01T15:07:00.000-05:002011-11-01T15:07:57.999-05:00What's really going on with the Postal Service<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you watch the nightly news, you've probably heard that the U.S. Postal Service has had $20 billion in lost revenue. You've probably also heard some Congressional leaders suggest this means the Postal Service must be slashed to make it more "efficient." <strong>But the news stories are leaving out a lot of relevant facts, painting an inaccurate picture of the state of the Postal Service.</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once you've learned more, I hope you will <strong><a href="http://www.saveamericaspostalservice.org/petition.html">sign this petition from America's postal workers to preserve Saturday delivery. </a></strong>(Scroll down past the petitions you can download, and you'll find an online version you can sign.)</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1R_sJn6gn-7oubG4Z5XqqpElX4XDBFfhGSp6I1c2pDjc1CxO1yokh9aRBWc-JW7MEPEtBc1GyOrcsF0R68mS0w0AsiX-DW5uFRxhefVHs4hZDqS2kCd7YKUVpG_LFjqskmsWBA7qoNyKw/s1600/postal+truck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1R_sJn6gn-7oubG4Z5XqqpElX4XDBFfhGSp6I1c2pDjc1CxO1yokh9aRBWc-JW7MEPEtBc1GyOrcsF0R68mS0w0AsiX-DW5uFRxhefVHs4hZDqS2kCd7YKUVpG_LFjqskmsWBA7qoNyKw/s320/postal+truck.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What you need to know about the U.S. Postal Service:</span><br />
<ol><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Postal Service does not use any taxpayer dollars, and it has not for the past 30 years. All its funding comes from the sale of products and services.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In recent years, the labor productivity of postal workers has doubled.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Despite the recession, over the past four fiscal years, the Postal Service has earned a $611 million net profit delivering the mail.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The $20 billion in postal losses you've heard about are not related to mail delivery. The real reason behind them is legislation passed by the 2006 Congress that has the ridiculous requirement that the Postal Service pre-fund its future retirees' health benefits for the next 75 years, and that USPS must do this within the next decade. You read that right - <strong>Congress is requiring the Postal Service have funding now for retirees who haven't even started working for the Postal Service yet</strong>. This is a burden that no other public or private business is required to meet. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Lawmakers can fix this mess without taxpayer dollars by passing House Bill 1351, which would give the Postal Service access to the funding it has already set aside for these future benefits.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">The Postal Service also has tens of billions of earned revenue in surplus funds, which other businesses would tap into during a recession. However, the Postal Service can only draw on this money with Congressional approval.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">While cutting Saturday delivery represents a 16 percent cut in services, it does not save the Postal Service much money.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">If Saturday deliveries are eliminated, it will undercut the Postal Service's ability to deliver parcels, which is the fastest growing part of its business right now.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Cutting Saturday delivery is likely to drive mailers away, making the Postal Service's financial problems worse.</span></li>
</ol><span style="font-family: Arial;">Please support your postal workers by <a href="http://www.saveamericaspostalservice.org/petition.html">signing the petition today to keep six day delivery</a>.</span>Workers Interfaith Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04400890557534428643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866404942918657226.post-58416636355342080972011-10-26T10:36:00.000-05:002011-10-26T10:36:49.683-05:00Lord, when did I see you oppressed?<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>A reflection on the lectionary gospel reading for Sunday, November 20th</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> The weekend of November 19th - 20th, Workers Interfaith Network is encouraging Mid-South congregations to <a href="http://www.workersinterfaithnetwork.org/NewsDetail.aspx">observe a wage theft sabbath</a>. The following post is a reflection on the Christian lectionary text that clergy can use to incorporate wage theft concerns into their sermons or homilies.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjirfm-0jwpI5gXD7MM2RTiDg7J7ZU76-VvidVuttcXYG-1E1VlhrgGhMOCVPtZExzIdIxOaFhZLhV1qm-RYOxeIbgBj2lOvk7XTEws8UgLoeetGZs4pRQZhPp5faNw2nXxE3Cp-DEhx3Fp/s1600/meisterman_wooten.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjirfm-0jwpI5gXD7MM2RTiDg7J7ZU76-VvidVuttcXYG-1E1VlhrgGhMOCVPtZExzIdIxOaFhZLhV1qm-RYOxeIbgBj2lOvk7XTEws8UgLoeetGZs4pRQZhPp5faNw2nXxE3Cp-DEhx3Fp/s320/meisterman_wooten.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Many Christian churches will celebrate Christ the King Sunday on November 20th. The lectionary text for the day, Matthew 25:31-46, gives us an opportunity to reflect on just what kind of a king Jesus is.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> The rulers of this world often seek power and wealth for themselves. In Matthew 25, Jesus once again points toward the "upside down" kingdom of God. He does not ask the nations when they have amassed gold for him or gathered armies for battle. Instead he declares that our actions toward the most impoverished and vulnerable have actually been done to him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> In reading Jesus' words about the hungry, sick, and imprisoned, we might assume Christ only asks us to meet the immediate needs of the poor. If we consider Matthew 25 in light of Jesus' many other teachings about wealth, poverty, and injustice, we quickly see that providing comfort alone is not enough.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> From Jesus' announcement in Luke 4 that he has come to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to his turning over of the moneychangers' tables in the Temple, it is clear that the kingdom of God includes economic justice. It isn't hard to imagine Jesus adding another criteria to his long list in Matthew 25. I can hear the nations asking him, "Lord, when did we see you oppressed, and we acted for justice for you?" Other nations might ask, "Lord, when were you a victim of injustice, and we stayed silent?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> After all, hunger, poverty, and injustice are intimately connected. Seeking God's kingdom means both feeding the poor and asking why they are hungry. And for many of our brothers and sisters, their hunger and poverty is through no fault of their own. Some cannot find work at all, or enough work to pay the bills. Others have worked hard, and have been taken advantage of by an employer who refuses to pay them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> There are few insults that sting as deeply as laboring for another person, and then not receiving the pay that has been promised to you. While it is shocking, wage theft is not uncommon. Recent research suggests that as many as two out of three low-wage workers have been cheated out of some wages that are owed to them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> The bad news is that when people of faith and good will are silent, wage theft continues unchecked.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> The good news is that when people of faith speak up with victims of injustices like wage theft, bad employers are much less likely to get away with cheating their workers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> This is another way that the church can feed the poor, in addition to our food pantries and soup kitchens. When wage theft is stopped, many of the hungry and naked can feed and clothe themselves through their own labor, as they desired to all along.</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.workersinterfaithnetwork.org/upload/Newsletter/Wage_Theft_Sabbath_Packet.pdf">Find more resources</a> and sign up your congregation to participate in the wage theft sabbath.</span></em>Workers Interfaith Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04400890557534428643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866404942918657226.post-84775560396833813502011-10-20T10:03:00.000-05:002011-10-20T10:03:55.052-05:00Speak out for a living wage on November 1st <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some people would say it's crazy to call for a living wage in this economy. Maybe it is a little crazy. But I'll tell you something else - it's working. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Because of the activism of workers, students, and community members like you, the University of Memphis has taken first steps toward a living wage for their workers. All of last academic year, the <a href="http://www.ucw-cwa.org/">United Campus Workers</a> union, <a href="http://www.workersinterfaithnetwork.org/">Workers Interfaith Network</a>, and the Progressive Student Alliance publicly pushed the University to move to a living wage for all U. of M. workers. Many of you wrote emails and postcards, made phone calls to the University. You lobbied the state legislature. You took part in a speak out on campus, a prayer vigil, and a rally to deliver the hundreds of postcards you gathered for President Shirley Raines.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJU1IR4WQcOlMzrGXFWOFS4jcoPlPuqNch8roatF4iG2XrAGxR-C7htl1d9Thv1bKXZuf0Cd8G-tgZaIy0mRnS7RBCcEjeO5_Q3rvi27rCOAm5s4hk-gDsZP2SHGNqInXxCUnJjjlSMLDj/s1600/IMG_1252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJU1IR4WQcOlMzrGXFWOFS4jcoPlPuqNch8roatF4iG2XrAGxR-C7htl1d9Thv1bKXZuf0Cd8G-tgZaIy0mRnS7RBCcEjeO5_Q3rvi27rCOAm5s4hk-gDsZP2SHGNqInXxCUnJjjlSMLDj/s320/IMG_1252.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The result? After four years of no pay raises, the University implemented a raise of 3% or $750 a year, which ever was greater. The $750 option, called a flat dollar minimum raise, is important because it's especially targeted to low-wage workers. Many custodial workers and other low-wage workers ended up getting 3 times as big of a raise because of this new approach. <strong>And it was an approach raised by activists like you!</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The University has also just implemented a one time $1,000 bonus for most full-time workers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> But before you assume that our work is done, I also want to stress that many current workers at the University still make far below a living wage. Plus, the University has not changed any of its practices or policies about what new workers are paid when they are hired. Many new positions still pay just above minimum wage.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> That's why <strong>workers need you to come to a Living Wage Speak Out on Tuesday November 1st at 6:00 p.m.</strong> in Brister Hall Room 220. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> At the Speak Out, you'll:</span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">learn about what pay and working conditions are like for workers right now.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">understand how the first steps toward a living wage were won last academic year.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">get involved in efforts this academic year to push the University to take further steps to a living wage.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">hear from activists in the successful Vanderbilt University campaign for a living wage.</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <strong>Directions to Brister Hall</strong>: Brister is located on Alumni Ave., near the intersection of Alumni and Patterson St. There are two ways you can enter the building. If you are entering from the Alumni Ave. entrance, you will already be on the second floor when you enter. If you are entering from Wilder Tower (which is attached to Brister Hall), you will need to turn left at the elevators and go up 1 flight of stairs to get to the 2nd floor of Brister Hall.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <strong>Parking info</strong>: A few metered spaces are available for visitors in the lot at Mynders and Patterson. There are also metered spots available in the large parking lot across the railroad tracks on Southern. Garage parking is available for $2 an hour in the garage on Zach Curlin, next to Campus School. You may also be able to find free street parking along Walker or Zach Curlin.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> View a University of Memphis <a href="http://map.memphis.edu/">campus map</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>Help strengthen WIN's work for a living wage. </em><a href="http://www.workersinterfaithnetwork.org/BecomeAMember/7/29.aspx"><em>Become a Workers Interfaith Network member</em></a><em> today.</em></span>Workers Interfaith Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04400890557534428643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866404942918657226.post-79250045313005412952011-10-05T15:19:00.000-05:002011-10-05T15:19:52.570-05:00Encourage your congregation to join the wage theft Sabbath, Nov. 19th - 20th<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To draw attention to the crisis of wage theft, and encourage people of faith to act, your congregation is invited to take part in a wage theft Sabbath during your regular worship services on November 19th - 20th. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">There are many different ways that your congregation can participate:</span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Including prayers for victims of wage theft, and prayers for employers who are taking advantage of their workers, in your worship service.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Using our <a href="http://www.workersinterfaithnetwork.org/upload/Newsletter/Wage_Theft_Sabbath_Packet.pdf">wage theft sabbath resource packet</a> to develop a missions moment or sermon about wage theft.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Using a bulletin insert in the resource packet to educate your members about wage theft.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Inviting your members to fill out a pledge card to stop wage theft (found on the bulletin insert), and returning these pledge cards to WIN.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">If you have low-wage workers in your congregation, holding a wage theft workshop before or after your regular service. WIN can provide a workshop leader to discuss what counts as wage theft and what workers can do if they're a victim. Just <a href="mailto:rebekah@workersinterfaithnetwork.org">email me</a> to request a workshop leader.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Taking up a collection to support WIN's work against wage theft.</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Arial;">I would love to be able to share with all of our members which congregations are participating, so if you plan to do one or more of the actions above, <strong>please send in the commitment form</strong> you can find in the <a href="http://www.workersinterfaithnetwork.org/upload/Newsletter/Wage_Theft_Sabbath_Packet.pdf">resource packet</a>.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our wage theft sabbath resource packet is designed to make participating as easy as possible for your clergyperson or anyone else who helps plan worship. What's included?</span></div><ul><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">A reflection on the Christian lectionary text for Sunday November 20th</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">A Jewish perspective on wage theft</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">A bulletin insert that includes a pledge card with many different actions people can take to stop wage theft</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">A responsive prayer</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Suggested scriptures related to wage theft</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Stories of two Memphis workers who have experienced wage theft</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">A more detailed description of what wage theft is, and answers to frequently asked questions about wage theft.</span></div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">A commitment form you can return to let WIN know how your congregation plans to participate in the wage theft Sabbath.</span></div></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The wage theft Sabbath is part of a national week of action against wage theft that dozens of cities will be participating in. If you're located outside of Memphis and want to find out about activities in your area, <a href="http://www.iwj.org/">contact Interfaith Worker Justice</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Want to take action with workers seeking justice? Sign up for email action alerts from Workers Interfaith Network at <a href="http://www.workersinterfaithnetwork.org/">http://www.workersinterfaithnetwork.org/</a> </em></span></div>Workers Interfaith Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04400890557534428643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866404942918657226.post-21176493474176220662011-09-23T09:43:00.000-05:002011-09-23T09:43:17.775-05:00Worker recovers $13,000 in stolen wages from Memphis restaurant<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Did you know that there are some waiters in Memphis who are getting paid nothing by the restaurants they work for, except for the tips you leave?</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuOtdZGBVxjxXGbN0cTEjx19Cs_1wCS1hOUsJLx_kALb5YxJcd6jvHLYjv5bj9pKpQlikgTBZc9SypScxdCGRXDG-KGKEE_t-3LrZxiztoai0AKvCGHNTdf64vTNSRx16nstbIF40V30zk/s1600/IMG_0906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuOtdZGBVxjxXGbN0cTEjx19Cs_1wCS1hOUsJLx_kALb5YxJcd6jvHLYjv5bj9pKpQlikgTBZc9SypScxdCGRXDG-KGKEE_t-3LrZxiztoai0AKvCGHNTdf64vTNSRx16nstbIF40V30zk/s320/IMG_0906.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Fernando asked for WIN members' support as he fought to get his stolen wages from Mis Pueblos restaurant</em></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> That's what happened to Fernando Santiago. Fernando was a waiter at Mis Pueblos restaurant. He worked 60 hours a week. The law required Mis Pueblos to pay him $2.13 an hour. If customers' tips did not bring his pay up to $7.25 an hour, the restaurant was also supposed to pay the difference. Since Fernando was also working more than 40 hours a week, he was also entitled to overtime pay for the extra 20 hours a week he worked.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Fernando wasn't sure what the law said about his pay, but he knew he was entitled to some kind of wages besides tips. He called one of our partner organizations, <a href="http://www.latinomemphis.org/">Latino Memphis</a>, who referred him to WIN's <a href="http://www.workersinterfaithnetwork.org/MemphisWorkersCenter/2/6.aspx">Workers' Center</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> After Fernando sat down with WIN staff member Alfredo Pena, they figured out Mis Pueblos owed Fernando tens of thousands of dollars.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> After several negotiation sessions between Mis Pueblos and WIN, Fernando agreed to take a settlement of $13,000 in back wages.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> This is the most money that WIN has helped a worker recover, without having to involve an attorney, since our Workers' Center began four years ago. We could not have done it without the generous financial support and activism of WIN members like you!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Reflecting on the experience, Fernando said "I feel good, and not that good at the same time, because they only paid me part of what they owed me. But it's good to know that no matter what, we all have rights here. What they were doing was stealing. Maybe this will make the manager start paying his employees like he's supposed to."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Fernando also wants to share his appreciation to all the members of WIN for supporting his in his struggle to get his stolen wages. He's become a member of WIN's Workers' Center. He's already working to recruit more restaurant workers to get training on their workplace rights from WIN.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <strong>I was also deeply moved by Fernando's decision to donate $2,000 of his wage settlement back to WIN so that we can support other workers' wage theft cases. </strong>WIN requires that all workers who win their cases donate 10% of their settlement back to the Center, but Fernando went above and beyond this. "I received help from WIN, and if I can help a little bit back, I want to do that," Fernando said. "The more we support WIN, the more WIN is able to help others." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Want to join Fernando in supporting WIN? Make a gift so that our Workers' Center can partner with other workers who are facing wage theft: <a href="https://www.chi-cash-advance.com/sforms/appeal785/Contribute.aspx">https://www.chi-cash-advance.com/sforms/appeal785/Contribute.aspx</a></em></span>Workers Interfaith Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04400890557534428643noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866404942918657226.post-90986235226288326672011-08-22T14:29:00.001-05:002011-08-24T08:58:28.937-05:00Preview silent auction items for the Faith and Labor Picnic<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This year's </span><a href="http://winmemphis.blogspot.com/2011/08/top-ten-reasons-to-come-to-faith-and.html"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Faith and Labor Picnic</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> will include our first ever silent auction. You can preview the items below that will be up for bid on Labor Day. And don't forget to </span><a href="https://www.chi-cash-advance.com/sforms/appeal786/contribute.aspx"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">buy your Picnic tickets now</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, while they're still discounted! Remember, your ticket price includes all musical and dance entertainment, food, beverages, chance to win doorprizes, and a MoonBounce and facepainting for the kids.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Item #1: Memphis Grizzlies basketball signed by Rudy Gay, Zach Randolph, Sam Young, AJ Mayo, Marc Gasol, Greivis Vasquez, Coach Lionel Hollins, and more</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBE3HnwbisjzK8I5sp8abFgr2x6x6jUkVa8QUkHfYWzJQbyRq1QTTIEEq_ZFlOiIXsB4RMQ9vgzhBEm6g_CQx1800GHtf_pNp0m2QnUH4Vl-Cb-ATsasuOqVH0AaFx7vNYsC6XOfIcK2EM/s1600/IMG_1429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBE3HnwbisjzK8I5sp8abFgr2x6x6jUkVa8QUkHfYWzJQbyRq1QTTIEEq_ZFlOiIXsB4RMQ9vgzhBEm6g_CQx1800GHtf_pNp0m2QnUH4Vl-Cb-ATsasuOqVH0AaFx7vNYsC6XOfIcK2EM/s320/IMG_1429.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Value: $250</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Minimum bid: $85</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Donated by: Coach Lionel Hollins, <a href="http://www.nba.com/grizzlies/">Memphis Grizzlies</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Item #2: "God's kingdom is right by your doorstep" 16 x 20 inch painting</span><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Value: $200</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Minimum bid: $75</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Donated by: <a href="http://jaimewintonstudio.com/home.html">Jaime Winton</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Item #3: Pottery honey pot</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJp6G03kcVGSzsNvPTjEiUCgjvOEHxWxoqMb9bECEdbnSDH5VkzVMKqfEXKqlaCDR2j1hw7aEd35wzktzP0hEv3ysvP_xijkWcKhKDXJk506MHH2ynvaQiz5_5jXA0dogPO5WsYwgf8Ox/s1600/IMG_1428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJp6G03kcVGSzsNvPTjEiUCgjvOEHxWxoqMb9bECEdbnSDH5VkzVMKqfEXKqlaCDR2j1hw7aEd35wzktzP0hEv3ysvP_xijkWcKhKDXJk506MHH2ynvaQiz5_5jXA0dogPO5WsYwgf8Ox/s320/IMG_1428.JPG" width="264" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Value: $30</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Minimum bid: $18</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Donated by: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/bridgmanpottery?ref=em">Melissa Bridgman</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Item #4: Glass jewelry pendant with tree of life</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg52_x7kJY3c40XHmAiHNUbjC9bIpN14IKcoL4ISFaBnjmfflEeCpYOsGyRYoHXxaNdQPSFva7-EEa5xPA8VhmBD5S5kjoYwDsZCZQZy6bkl93Eu3L3QMRu8LveCLeO2a23noMgECsW5tzi/s1600/IMG_1432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg52_x7kJY3c40XHmAiHNUbjC9bIpN14IKcoL4ISFaBnjmfflEeCpYOsGyRYoHXxaNdQPSFva7-EEa5xPA8VhmBD5S5kjoYwDsZCZQZy6bkl93Eu3L3QMRu8LveCLeO2a23noMgECsW5tzi/s320/IMG_1432.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Value: $25</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Minimum bid: $15</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Donated by: Marjorie Levy (her jewelry is available at the <a href="http://www.stjohnsmidtown.org/artisansonamission">St. John's Artisans store</a>)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Item #5: Signed paperback copy of <em>The Happiness Project </em>by Gretchen Rubin</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGl5iiQ-95s50Fk52XO-mcxHZ6pHug7VLOoGFDf8ft5EVb9gjVHou3AknM8Vbs_31ePzBL3o2DWi5oDBj3RQitvEE2kU7imGSlKhxk944rQUOPcyophV-FfBLrmEUyQtDy1HaeoboR_bl5/s1600/IMG_1435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGl5iiQ-95s50Fk52XO-mcxHZ6pHug7VLOoGFDf8ft5EVb9gjVHou3AknM8Vbs_31ePzBL3o2DWi5oDBj3RQitvEE2kU7imGSlKhxk944rQUOPcyophV-FfBLrmEUyQtDy1HaeoboR_bl5/s320/IMG_1435.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Value: $15</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Minimum bid: $10</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Donated by: <a href="http://www.happiness-project.com/">Gretchen Rubin</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Item #6: $25 Target gift card</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_UZ-b0GBsjfiXyotTCm-6pMLuEvLXWlE80XUo-5eFiMRS1Mpuop_FZxBmUJ1u2QO1t8j3_oW8HGvM4roFbpGjdCfdh_A7PQKQaPdL-44gyw47euTcsjbTyIRZEuRMF-9nZMXm0LCILD7V/s1600/IMG_1434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_UZ-b0GBsjfiXyotTCm-6pMLuEvLXWlE80XUo-5eFiMRS1Mpuop_FZxBmUJ1u2QO1t8j3_oW8HGvM4roFbpGjdCfdh_A7PQKQaPdL-44gyw47euTcsjbTyIRZEuRMF-9nZMXm0LCILD7V/s320/IMG_1434.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Value: $25</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Minimum bid: $18</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Donated by: Judy Bettice</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Item #7: Swarovski crystal pendant on 18 inch sterling silver chain</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmb0o8uxuOLTvI2mW0wypJtakb8ECUCKvt0o29-AXHIN7UA3KUAk4ZG1ldAPImyRh9trlGDSYSmn7URu7Z0H5rg-YQEum78R5PpFWmX0I50Rc7XfLIHRqArYL6wgm-DCwY4sM4c_C5Oljr/s1600/IMG_1436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmb0o8uxuOLTvI2mW0wypJtakb8ECUCKvt0o29-AXHIN7UA3KUAk4ZG1ldAPImyRh9trlGDSYSmn7URu7Z0H5rg-YQEum78R5PpFWmX0I50Rc7XfLIHRqArYL6wgm-DCwY4sM4c_C5Oljr/s320/IMG_1436.JPG" width="243" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Value: $30</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Minimum bid: $18</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Donated by: Anne Walton Garrison (her jewelry is available at the <a href="http://www.stjohnsmidtown.org/artisansonamission">St. John's Artisans store</a>)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Item #8</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">$25 Kroger gift card</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Value: $25</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Minimum bid: $18</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Donated by: Communication Workers of America</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Want to take one of these items home?</strong> Come to the<a href="http://winmemphis.blogspot.com/2011/08/top-ten-reasons-to-come-to-faith-and.html"> Faith and Labor Picnic</a> on Labor Day, September 5th to place your bid. We will be accepting cash, checks, and Visa or MasterCard. Bidding will be open from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Get a 15% discount on your Faith and Labor Picnic tickets by buying them by Thursday, September 1st. Advance tickets are available from <a href="https://www.chi-cash-advance.com/sforms/appeal786/contribute.aspx">WIN's website</a>, by calling (901) 332-3570, or by purchasing them from a volunteer in your congregation or organization.</span></em>Workers Interfaith Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04400890557534428643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866404942918657226.post-38556257881089957042011-08-17T10:17:00.000-05:002011-08-17T10:17:03.216-05:00Top Ten Reasons to Come to the Faith and Labor Picnic<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Each Labor Day, Workers Interfaith Network throws the ultimate party with a purpose: the <a href="http://www.workersinterfaithnetwork.org/FaithandLabourPicnic/7/22/20.aspx">Faith and Labor Picnic</a>. More than 450 Mid-Southerners come together for fellowship, fun, and to raise the funds we need to stand up for worker rights all year round. I can think of dozens of reasons you'll want to buy your tickets today, but I've narrowed it down to a top ten list:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>10. If you get your tickets before the Picnic, you get a 15% discount!</strong> <a href="https://www.chi-cash-advance.com/sforms/appeal786/contribute.aspx">Go to our website to buy tickets</a> before the event, or buy them from a ticket seller in your congregation or organization. Advance tickets are just $10 for adults, $5 for kids ages 5 -12, or $30 for families. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>Note:</em> if you use our website, the top part of the form is for Picnic sponsorships. You don't have to sponsor in order to buy tickets. Just click on the button that says "no thank you" under Picnic sponsor, and then fill out the ticket portion.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>9. Did someone say doorprizes? </strong>With 35 doorprizes to give away, there's a good chance you'll walk away with something. Could you use an Itunes or Target gift card, a couple of boxes of Kroger cereal, a basket of Avon goodies, or a beach bag <a href="http://www.plasticbagcrafts.com/make-plarn/">made from plarn</a>? </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4NdB8txLi28mKXQ6uTIhFcOfSi5PgEPc3xUA1iC-yeFG3feDVxrCqFMQNEfIB24-XIsIxMw2WR1q5VS5hhurUDSYYNzOxjlzRfFdU5pKtdTA-5skf07qLQ6XH3DsaaAxvf6EK2pK5VL-j/s1600/073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4NdB8txLi28mKXQ6uTIhFcOfSi5PgEPc3xUA1iC-yeFG3feDVxrCqFMQNEfIB24-XIsIxMw2WR1q5VS5hhurUDSYYNzOxjlzRfFdU5pKtdTA-5skf07qLQ6XH3DsaaAxvf6EK2pK5VL-j/s320/073.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>8. The dunk tank is a great way to release your pent-up agression.</strong> We've even heard that a County Commissioner may agree to get in the dunk tank this year. Start practicing your throws!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTF1ZPvhoExpz3haT9KUEbUdbRu9UuLOwt2mOydCY2ctMb8D_6xz2jlCHtOWqlCuJ-keVgHuD_PUx3MZ8dCqQ12dukY7LCybmaoZnmEicH4FHrD-qYgSqNqZu-vTl5yPFiN1z0yh4mJs7x/s1600/IMG_2874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTF1ZPvhoExpz3haT9KUEbUdbRu9UuLOwt2mOydCY2ctMb8D_6xz2jlCHtOWqlCuJ-keVgHuD_PUx3MZ8dCqQ12dukY7LCybmaoZnmEicH4FHrD-qYgSqNqZu-vTl5yPFiN1z0yh4mJs7x/s1600/IMG_2874.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>7. Incredible music and dance performances</strong>. <a href="https://sites.google.com/site/danzaquetzalcoatlmemphis/">Danza Azteca</a> has been a highlight of the Picnic for the last 3 years, and favorites from last year Alicia Washington and Esteban Alexis will join us again this year. New this year: a performance by John Kilzer, who you can check out in this <a href="http://youtu.be/TTinhg_lbHc">video from Channel 3's Live at 9</a> (at the 2:45 mark is where John performs.)</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBIk3eSpC_QAxWmNmkXTNvEffHOWbGmtJK6GskVkoLSK1H6370Mv-W13MSBeD1s2Kew4sf-3j_1ASlzzK2AZqC-S1xmR2Fx07sUIYoFgAdgLbAkQZ6aXruyEtsjdIDNtP-tIX4HZ2Wxew/s1600/IMG_3132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBIk3eSpC_QAxWmNmkXTNvEffHOWbGmtJK6GskVkoLSK1H6370Mv-W13MSBeD1s2Kew4sf-3j_1ASlzzK2AZqC-S1xmR2Fx07sUIYoFgAdgLbAkQZ6aXruyEtsjdIDNtP-tIX4HZ2Wxew/s1600/IMG_3132.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>6. A Labor Day cookout is fun, as long as you're not the cook.</strong> So leave the hamburgers, hotdogs, veggie burgers, baked beans, chips, and veggies to us. Oh, and did I mention the homemade cookies? You don't want to miss the taste - or the joy of not having to turn on your oven.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXFs2GabberWPiZDb8HEar2PYlCmifwpLRsuUCzEH8ZK7qhSu7DUcjYvgmuBqexsEyGtdDIMAkPglg5u0uhp1m1nmvMxjwNTZ0JN9ut3G9zLv0HvTsDqK2onts30kXdEVeamG9ZR0rMng/s1600/IMG_0347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXFs2GabberWPiZDb8HEar2PYlCmifwpLRsuUCzEH8ZK7qhSu7DUcjYvgmuBqexsEyGtdDIMAkPglg5u0uhp1m1nmvMxjwNTZ0JN9ut3G9zLv0HvTsDqK2onts30kXdEVeamG9ZR0rMng/s320/IMG_0347.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>5. Kids bouncing off the walls?</strong> Let them bounce in the Moon Bounce instead. We'll also have facepainting for the kids. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh55GDQCJoeI5jq2Ded1HMZDqwagmaIIAACRy_wXehFIma1nKCBHlQkrjIH-hOgYYLlBFudK929niEIdeTiSP_lbmlPXlgaJY2jhek12XugTxUfT-upVeqzkrSp4BYHScu5OMOUUQCco-VN/s1600/DSC_0116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh55GDQCJoeI5jq2Ded1HMZDqwagmaIIAACRy_wXehFIma1nKCBHlQkrjIH-hOgYYLlBFudK929niEIdeTiSP_lbmlPXlgaJY2jhek12XugTxUfT-upVeqzkrSp4BYHScu5OMOUUQCco-VN/s320/DSC_0116.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>4. We're going green this year! </strong>All our plates, napkins, and utensils will either be made from recycled materials or will be compostable. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>3. Are you a Grizzlies fan? </strong>This year, we'll have a small silent auction for several items, included a basketball signed by Grizzly star players (AJ Mayo, Marc Gasol, Rudy Gay, and more), pottery by <a href="http://www.bridgmanpottery.com/">Melissa Bridgman</a>, jewelry by local artists, and a signed copy of <em><a href="http://www.happiness-project.com/">The Happiness Project</a></em>. So be sure to bring your checkbook or some extra cash in case you see something you just have to have!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCs9MTgaQWtR2M__z9pETw5qBOPBtnyGnFl-mUOOBKCWfTZ68LGZr89MT9i-ogzlXwapo5unGu49NARCus-fqLnmYqfC2ZTVGH-rBjM_ZlS7YCismFM14HGDMNFtjbgzewj3j8cvypga-m/s1600/072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCs9MTgaQWtR2M__z9pETw5qBOPBtnyGnFl-mUOOBKCWfTZ68LGZr89MT9i-ogzlXwapo5unGu49NARCus-fqLnmYqfC2ZTVGH-rBjM_ZlS7YCismFM14HGDMNFtjbgzewj3j8cvypga-m/s320/072.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>2. Connect with other progressive causes. </strong>Curious about what else is going on in Memphis and how you can connect? Lots of other nonprofits and unions will have booths at the Picnic. The Picnic is also a great chance to check out candidates for office, since many usually attend.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>1. You'll celebrate the victories you've made possible</strong>, and raise the funds we need to win even greater victories. Workers Interfaith Network wants to say thank you in person for partnering with University of Memphis workers to get their first raise toward a living wage, and much more. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> Have I convinced you?<a href="https://www.chi-cash-advance.com/sforms/appeal786/contribute.aspx"> Buy your discounted tickets</a> by Thursday, September 1st, because prices will be higher at the door. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> We look forward to seeing you on Labor Day, September 5th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1738 Galloway Ave. in Midtown. </span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have you <a href="http://www.facebook.com/winmemphis">liked WIN</a> on Facebook yet?</span></em>Workers Interfaith Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04400890557534428643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4866404942918657226.post-57555384838357068612011-08-02T14:06:00.001-05:002011-08-17T08:28:25.632-05:00Labor Day Weekend Worship Resources<em> </em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Are you a clergy or layperson who wants to help your congregation make the connection between faith and work? Your Labor Day weekend worship service is an ideal time to do this. Workers Interfaith Network and our national organization <a href="http://www.iwj.org/"><span style="color: red;">Interfaith Worker Justice</span></a> have prepared a number of resources to help you plan your service.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> You can view a <a href="http://033c7b7.netsolhost.com/worshipresources/2/7/19.aspx"><span style="color: red;">complete list of resources here</span></a>, but I want to highlight a few things for you:</span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Looking for a scripture for your sermon that relates to work and justice? <a href="http://033c7b7.netsolhost.com/upload/Documents/scripture.pdf"><span style="color: red;">See our list</span></a>. If you can think of another good scripture to use, tell me in the comments section.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Need a prayer or a responsive reading? Here are a <a href="http://033c7b7.netsolhost.com/upload/Documents/scripture.pdf"><span style="color: red;">collect and a responsive prayer</span></a> you can use.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">City of Memphis workers are facing a crisis as the City has cut their pay, in violation of collective bargaining agreements the City already signed. <a href="http://033c7b7.netsolhost.com/upload/Documents/bulletin%20insert%20city%20workers.pdf"><span style="color: red;">Use our bulletin insert</span></a> to share about their situation, and let members of your congregation know how they can help.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interfaith Worker Justice has a number of prayer and responsive readings about the <a href="http://www.iwj.org/template/page.cfm?id=287"><span style="color: red;">unemployment crisis</span></a>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you'll be celebrating the eucharist on Labor Day weekend, you can use our <a href="http://033c7b7.netsolhost.com/upload/Documents/labor%20great%20thanksgiving.pdf"><span style="color: red;">Great Thanksgiving for Labor Sunday</span></a>.</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Of course, if you're in the Memphis area, we hope you'll also be inviting members of your congregation to attend the <a href="http://033c7b7.netsolhost.com/FaithandLabourPicnic/7/22/20.aspx"><span style="color: red;">Faith and Labor Picnic on Labor Day</span></a>. The Faith and Labor Picnic is the best way to celebrate the true meaning of Labor Day with 450 other people who care about justice for workers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Do you plan to do something special in your worship service to connect faith and work? Let us know what your plans are in the comments section.</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Partner with workers seeking justice: </span></em><a href="https://www.chi-cash-advance.com/sforms/appeal786/contribute.aspx"><em><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">become a sponsor or buy tickets</span></em></a><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> to WIN's Faith and Labor Picnic. Buying your tickets before the Picnic gets you a 15 percent discount!</span></em>Workers Interfaith Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04400890557534428643noreply@blogger.com0