Folks,
Greetings from the Burgh, where I have been working on a major story about the rapid response network here in Pittsburgh.
Anti-ICE Activists to Go Door-to-Door in Rural PA Town w/ Detention Center
Last month, Payday Report traveled up to Phillipsburg, Pennsylvania to cover a massive protest against Moshannon ICE detention center in Clearfield County. The fight has created a huge debate in the town about the inhuman conditions in the facility.
(See our story “Moshannon ICE Protest in Rural PA Coal Town Opens Eyes”)
The Moshannon ICE facility is leased by Clearfield County, which allows the GEO Group to operate it. Their contract is up next year and the protests have created a debate about what should be done.
Now, activists from across the state are planning to converge again on October 11th in the rural PA county to go door-to-door to registered Democrats, talking about the problems of the ICE facility. The groups hope to raise awareness in the county and organize people to stand up against the facility.
Donate to Help Us Cover Anti-ICE Fight in Rural PA
Currently, the biggest labor fight in the country is to protect immigrants. Incredible power is being built in organizing like that in Phillipsburg, Pa.
LA Metro Reinstates Two Bus Drivers Who Refused to Cooperate with ICE
In a major victory for organized labor, two LA bus drivers who refused to cooperate with ICE, have been reinstated.
“I called for these bus operators to be reinstated, and I’m glad Metro ultimately made the right decision,” Metro Board member and LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn told the LA Public Press. “These are unprecedented times and we need operators like them who clearly care about their riders and the immigrant communities they serve.”
For more, check out the LA Public Press.
Volkswagen Makes Last, Best, & Final Offer in Chattanooga
In Chattanooga, Volkswagen has made its “last, best, and final offer” to the UAW as they continue to negotiate a first contract.
The offer includes a 20% raise over four years bringing the average wage at the plant to $24.50-an-hour and a $4,000 signing bonus. The contract also includes profit-sharing provisions for the first time at Volkswagen.
However, the UAW says that the health care provisions fall short of their push for a healthcare plan at the Big Three that has no deductibles, no premiums, and lower out-of-pocket costs than what was proposed by Volkswagen.
For more, check out the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
Migrant Workers Ensnarled in “Slavery-like” Scheme
The Trump Administration signals that it intends to expand the H-2A visa program. However, an expose by ProPublica shows how the H-2A visa program has been used to keep immigrant workers in “slavery-like” conditions.
From ProPublica:
Sofi was among the first groups of people recruited to work for Kings Berry Farm. She initially felt some relief when she stepped off the bus in the parking lot of the dingy motel, after making it past customs and having spent more than 20 hours on the road. But she was taken aback by how she and the others were treated by the people there to meet them: The workers were unloaded like prisoners, their heads bowed so they couldn’t see what was happening.
One of the people who received the workers separated Sofi from the rest. She recalled that she was taken to a motel room. She found another female worker waiting there. Guards were assigned to watch them.
It was in the motel room that she first saw Mendoza. Short and stout with a shaggy chinstrap beard, he spoke with a strong lisp because of a congenital disorder. It could be hard to understand what he was saying, but that day he had no problem making his message clear.
Sofi recalled that the other woman asked Mendoza if she could have her passport back.
Mendoza said that if she had it in her mind to leave his operation, she’d have to do so without her passport. She wasn’t getting it back.
He already had Sofi’s.
For more, check out ProPublica.
Animation Guild Scores Historic Victory
The Animation Guild, IATSE Local 839, announced a historic series of organizing gains this week.
After two years of organizing, the Animation Guild announced that 60 workers at Netflix Animation Studios announced that they intended to unionize. Twelve production workers on the series Ted (DreamWorks/NBC Universal) also announced unionization plans. Finally, Animation artists at SpindleHorse, known for the Prime Video series Hazbin Hotel, requested and received voluntary recognition.
“For the last five years, production workers at almost every major animation studio in Southern California have demanded recognition for the essential role they play keeping the animation pipeline flowing,” Organizer Allison Smartt said in a statement. “Many union production workers are negotiating their second contracts, proof that this movement is here to stay. From DreamWorks to Disney to Nickelodeon, they continue to fight for living wages, demand respect for their crafts, and negotiate strong contracts. Now it’s time for production workers at Netflix and Ted to join this community and access the same opportunities.”
For more information, check out the press release from the Animation Guild.
News & Headlines Elsewhere
- Machinists union strike enters week six as Boeing says it plans to hire 'permanent replacement' workers
- Google lays off 200+ AI contractors amid unionization disputes
- Allegheny Health Network closing primary care office in New Kensington as workers vote to unionize
- NYPD’s confiscation of e-bikes leave immigrant delivery workers without wheels or wages
- Ontario college support workers remain on strike
- Embraer says Brazil plants operating normally as metalworkers call strike
- Two top union leaders released from political imprisonment In Belarus
- Finally, a look at how ICE abducted a man suing police for abusing day laborers
Alright folks, that’s all for today. Keep sending tips, comments, story ideas and complaints to melk@paydayreport.com
Thanks again for all the support.
Love & Solidarity,
Melk
