Fw: [Fwd: Fwd: Holiday Solidarity]

[Judi Hirsch <judih@OUSD.K12.CA.US>]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Deborah Palmer 
To: Michael Logue ; michelle munn ; Wayne Landers ; David Greene ; James ; Eric Hamilton Tine ; sarah cline ; Jean Palmer ; Lee Erica Byron Palmer ; Kristen Larson ; Krysten Morganti ; Judi Hirsch ; McCarthy, Ian ; anna bonner 
Sent: Wednesday, December 06, 2000 10:46 PM
Subject: [Fwd: Fwd: Holiday Solidarity]


  
Gretchen Purser wrote: 

   Important info for all you book-buying fiends! 
  --g 
    
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    Date: Wed, 06 Dec 2000 11:41:14 -0700 
    To: <soc_community@uclink4.berkeley.edu> 
    From: Peter Evans <pevans@socrates.berkeley.edu> 
    Subject: Holiday Solidarity 
    Sender: owner-soc_community@uclink4.berkeley.edu 

    HOLIDAY SOLIDARITY FOR BOOKBUYERS 

    > > In addition to the fact that Amazon.com is fighting a unionization 
    > > drive and (along with Barnes & Noble) raising their prices, there is 
    > > now another reason not to use them: a unionized on-line bookstore 
    > > that recently received Yahoo's rating as the top web-site for buying 
    > > on-line books. Entering their web-site through the union site below 
    > > also puts 10% of your purchase to the employees directly. The 
    > > best 
    > > thing is still to buy from your local bookstore but I'm going to try 
    > > this out. Spread the news to others. 
      

    POWELLS BOOKSTORE URL  = http://www.powells.com/ 
      

    FOR MORE INFO SEE   http://www.powellsunion.com/ 
    > > 
    > > ILWU Local 5 currently represents more than 420 workers at 
    > > Powell's Books in Portland, OR--the largest independent new and 
    > > used bookstore in the country. After two years of organizing, we 
    > > ratified our first contract on August 14th, 2000. Now we have 
    > > begun to build a strong local-- the first new local in the ILWU 
    > > in 35 years. 
    > > 
    > > The work of Local 5 members maintains the viability of one of 
    > > the last strongholds of independent bookselling in the US. We 
    > > want to begin to cultivate recognition for retail workers: we 
    > > deserve living wages, benefits, and collective bargaining. This 
    > > site is designed as a resource for employees represented by 
    > > Local 5, for Powell's customers, and for anyone looking to 
    > > organize. Please read about the history of our organizing effort 
    > > (with pictures), check out our links page, and our reading list! 
    > > Also, please take a moment to sign our guestbook. We would 
    > > love to hear from you. 
    > > 
    > > The effort to organize ourselves at Powell's was long and 
    > > difficult, like many labor struggles. Part of this, of course, 
    > > was due to typical union busting strategies from managment. But 
    > > in the bigger picture, it became clear that our fight was and 
    > > is significant not so much for the length or complexity of our 
    > > battles, but rather for the battleground itself. We were told we 
    > > were whiners. We were told that since we were so educated, so 
    > > "book smart," we should go elsewhere if we wanted to earn living 
    > > wages. We were told "this is retail." 
    > > 
    > > But Local 5 exists because two years ago a few brave employees 
    > > decided they deserved to be treated with respect, not scorned as 
    > > expendable labor. They began to cultivate self respect among 
    > > their co-workers. They began to hold Powell's accountable to 
    > > the community which it employs and services--and tried to make 
    > > it live up to it's reputation as a "progressive" company. 
    > > 
    > > Retail workers are grossly under-represented in the unionized 
    > > labor force. And they suffer some of the lowest wages and 
    > > highest turnover of any workers. Please join us in our efforts 
    > > to create fair and democratic working environments for more 
    > > workers like yourself.