Tampa Bay’s Evan Longoria, CSI:NY’s Hill Harper, Foo Fighters’ Chris Shiflett, Award-Winning Broadcaster Bob Butler, Breaking Bad’s R.J. Mitte and Other Celebs Tweet for Unions During First Ever Labor Day Tweet-a-Thon
Actors’ Equity, AFTRA, Screen Actors Guild Members, and Major League Baseball Players among the Labor Day Tweeters!
This Labor Day, people who work in the sports, entertainment and news media industries—baseball players, actors, recording artists, Broadway performers, broadcasters and more—are coming together on Twitter to celebrate unions. With Oscar, Grammy, Emmy, Tony, Pulitzer, and Players Choice awards and nominations under their belts, they all have one thing in common: they’re union members.
And so this Labor Day weekend, union members across the entertainment, sports, and news media industries are uniting with a common purpose—to tweet about the advantages of being a #unionmember for them and for workers in each sector of the economy, all in 140 characters or less.
Just a few of those participating this year include Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria, Minnesota outfielder Michael Cuddyer, Texas pitcher C.J. Wilson, CSI:NY star Hill Harper, Breaking Bad star R.J. Mitte, lead guitarist for the Foo Fighters Chris Shiflett, award-winning broadcast journalist and reporter for KCBS in San Francisco Bob Butler, as well as Actors’ Equity Association members from across the country.
The Labor Day Tweet-a-Thon is a joint project of workers’ rights group American Rights at Work, the country’s leading entertainment unions, Actors’ Equity, AFTRA, and Screen Actors Guild, and the Major League Baseball Players Association.
Labor Day is not a just a day to commemorate the protections, rights, and opportunities that labor unions and workers’ rights advocates have achieved in years past. It’s a day to broadcast the critical role unions play today for all workers–in showbiz–and in every industry.
Says AFTRA member and broadcaster Bob Butler, “Being a union member takes the guesswork out of how I'm going to live in retirement.”
For more information visit http://www.unionmember.org . Throughout Labor Day weekend the site will display a round-up of celebrity tweets, as well as tweets from union members and supporters who use the #unionmember hashtag.
In our sixth annual Labor Day List: Partnerships that Work, the American Rights at Work Education Fund recognizes employers who practice labor-management cooperation while creating pioneering solutions to the environmental challenges of the 21st century. The eight businesses featured see their workers’ unions as essential partners, and consider environmental stewardship a key component of their business model. At a time when the leadership of bold, visionary employers is in high demand, this year’s Labor Day List companies provide a model for the “win-win-win” economy our country needs—an economy in which businesses thrive, the planet prospers, and workers share in the success they help create.
A recognized leader in sustainability, safety, and diversity, this real estate and construction services firm has a solid foundation in workers’ rights.
This architectural lighting company is illuminating the path to a green future through innovative, energy-efficient systems, and a close partnership with its workers’ union.
This solar panel production company credits its rapid success in the United States to the expertise of its skilled employees and regular collaboration with their union.
This innovative paper and pulp mill is greening the domestic paper industry with environmentally-sound technologies, and sustaining a community with good jobs.
Kimberly Freeman Brown: "These companies and union employees are leading the way toward a sustainable economy in which businesses thrive, the planet prospers, and workers share in the success they help create."
Washington, D.C. - In advance of Labor Day, American Rights at Work Education Fund is releasing its annual report, The Labor Day List: Partnerships that Work , which this year highlights positive labor-management relationships working in the clean energy economy.
"It's no secret that employers and workers alike are facing the worst economy since the Great Depression," said Kimberly Freeman Brown, Executive Director of American Rights at Work Education Fund. "But innovative businesses across the country are proving how the clean energy economy can give all workers a shot at the American Dream. The companies and union employees featured in our report are leading the way toward a sustainable economy in which businesses thrive, the planet prospers, and workers share in the success they help create."
The responsible business and labor practices exhibited by employers in this report mark a shift towards a more sustainable business model for workers, shareholders, and the planet. Instead of squeezing workers, each of these companies treats their union workforce as an equal partner. And instead of causing environmental problems, the employers, employees, and unions that represent them work together to solve them, and are finding success in the process. Molly Bordonaro, Senior Vice President of Gerding Edlen Development, one of the companies featured in the 2010 Labor Day List, zeroes in on how such collaboration benefits the bottom line: "In the business and development world, time is money. We've been able to prove demonstratively higher rewards and more valuable assets, even in a down economy, because of union labor."
The employers featured in the 2010 Labor Day List are visionaries in various sectors of the clean energy economy. Yet all of the companies have one common denominator: a shared vision that to build a truly sustainable economy and planet, green jobs must be good jobs. These companies each deserve honors for their environmental stewardship, and on Labor Day they receive distinction for respecting their employees' rights and decision to join unions, providing fair wages and benefits, and facilitating strong labor-management partnerships.
Companies Profiled in this Report:
Thanks to the fruitful relationship between its employees and their union, the United Food and Commercial Workers, Eurofresh (Willcox, AZ) is the leading year-round producer and marketer of pesticide-free greenhouse tomatoes and cucumbers. The company's commitment to sustainable practices, food safety, and workers' rights make it a standout in the agricultural industry. (Contacts: Robert Pulido, Eurofresh Vice President, 520-384-4621 x 8417 and Paul Rubin, United Food & Commercial Workers, 520-884-9716.)
Flambeau River Papers (Park Falls, WI) is a pulp and paper mill that produces premium recycled paper used by commercial printers and envelope-makers. Flambeau's story illustrates a path to sustainability for the U.S. paper industry: respecting workers' rights and advancing environmentally-sound technologies. (Contacts: Butch Johnson, Flambeau River Papers CEO, 715-762-5332, and Ron Schoch, United Steelworkers, 715-762-5271.)
A pioneer in the green building industry, Gerding Edlen Development (Portland, OR) relies on skilled union workers as it revitalizes communities, furthers innovation, and creates good jobs. This commercial real estate and investment firm has developed more LEED-certified green buildings than any other private development firm in the country. The company is now moving toward a "deeper shade of green," surpassing existing standards to develop projects that produce zero net carbon emissions. (Contacts: Mark Edlen, Gerding Edlen CEO and Co-Founder, 503-802-6644, and Greg Held, Laborers International Union of America, 503-760-2933.)
Golden Solar (Golden, CO) was founded by a master electrician and longtime member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, in response to groundbreaking renewable energy legislation passed in Colorado. Golden Solar installs solar panels for residential and commercial clients using 100-percent union labor. (Contacts: Shawn Josserand, Golden Solar, 303-955-6332, and Ed Knox, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, 303-297-0229.)
At Litecontrol (Hanson, MA), an architectural lighting company, workers have both a literal stake in the company – through an Employee Stock Option Plan – and a voice on the job through their union, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Litecontrol produces energy-efficient lighting systems for office buildings, schools, hospitals, and libraries, and minimizes its environmental footprint through sustainable manufacturing practices. Litecontrol's empowering mission is to "enable employees to share in the success they help create." (Contacts: Cori Slade, Litecontrol Director of HR and Finance, 781-294-0100 x 2144 and Janet Vallee, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, 508-673-4899.)
Over the last 50 years, development company McGough Construction (St. Paul, MN), has built many of the iconic structures that grace the Twin Cities skylines, while sustaining an exceptional working relationship with local unions, including the St. Paul Building and Construction Trades Council. McGough also specializes in 'greening' existing buildings by implementing recycling programs, upgrading building systems to enhance energy efficiency, and providing resources for clients who want to pursue green building certifications. McGough has earned the Minnesota Safety Council's "Award of Honor" five years in a row. (Contacts: Brad Wood, McGough, 612-802-4701 and Harry Melander, Minnesota Building Trades Council, 651-287-9999.)
Sharp Solar (Memphis, TN) is now one of the world's fastest-growing renewable energy companies, and attributes its growth to a strong relationship with its workers' union, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Sharp Solar is bringing good manufacturing jobs back to the United States while providing residential, commercial, and utility customers access to clean energy. The National Photovoltaic Construction Project uses Sharp Solar products exclusively, because Sharp's Memphis facility can deliver a product more quickly than an overseas factory. (Contacts: Susan DeVico, Sharp Public Relations, 510-339-1527 and Kenny Ingram, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, 901-726-4060.)
United Streetcar (Clackamas, OR) provides a model for the new, clean energy economy by helping expand energy efficient transit solutions, U.S manufacturing, and good union jobs. United Streetcar rolled out its premiere tram in Portland, OR in 2009 – the first U.S.-produced modern streetcar in nearly 60 years – and buys more than 70 percent of its source materials from U.S. companies. The company's streetcars are also operating in Seattle, WA, and Tucson, AZ. (Contacts: Chandra Brown, United Streetcar President, 503-653-6300, and Mike Lappier, Ironworkers, 503-257-4743.)
Misclassification of employees as independent contractors costs us all: federal and state governments, businesses, workers, and taxpayers. Our laws grant workers vital workplace benefits and protections, as long as the worker is a direct employee of the employer. Consequently, workers who are independent contractors in name only are cheated out of important benefits and legal protections.
Furthermore, government and academic studies estimate that the federal government loses at least $3-4 billon annually due to misclassification, and billions more due to off-the-books cash payments. State studies indicate that that figure could be much higher. At a time when the federal and state governments are facing such difficult budget choices and making cuts to programs that Americans depend upon, there is no excuse for allowing so many businesses to cheat the system.
Kimberly Freeman Brown: "The court's decision is welcome relief to workers who have been wrongfully denied the right to bargain in good faith for fair wages and benefits."
Washington, D.C. - After intervention by the National Labor Relations Board, a federal judge in Newark, NJ, this week ordered South Kearny-based Alden Leeds, Inc., to rehire 50 workers who were unlawfully locked out of their jobs while bargaining for a contract. Kimberly Freeman Brown, Executive Director of American Rights at Work, released the following statement:
"The court's decision is welcome relief to the families of these 50 workers who have been wrongfully denied the right to bargain in good faith for fair wages and benefits by their employer. The swimming pool chemical manufacturer abruptly and shamefully dumped its workforce, retaliating against employees who simply wanted to preserve decent job standards. Instead of trying to respectfully settle differences in contract negotiations, the company strong armed its workers, leaving them out of work for more than eight months.
Locking workers out of their jobs is an unlawful, all too common negotiating tactic in today’s workplace. More important, it is simply wrong to treat employees that way when they are just seeking fair treatment. I applaud the National Labor Relations Board in their successful fight for an injunction to get these workers back on the job, defending their rights to bargain in good faith with their employer.
Kimberly Freeman Brown: "An even better way to ensure America's tax dollars are being spent properly is for the federal government to take the high road, and only contract with companies who respect workers and their rights."
Washington, D.C. – On news that President Obama is expected to sign the Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Act this morning, Kimberly Freeman Brown, Executive Director of American Rights at Work, released the following statement:
"President Obama is right to take on waste in the federal budget, as well as federal contractors who break the law. An even better way to ensure America's tax dollars are being spent properly is for the federal government to take the high road, and only contract with companies who respect workers and their rights.
The Obama Administration should side with the men and women who work every day to pay their bills, care for their families, and put aside savings for retirement. To ensure Americans are compensated fairly for their work, the federal government should give preference to contractors who provide family-supporting wages and respect their workers’ rights to form unions and collectively bargain.
Awarding government contracts to companies that respect American values is not only the right thing to do, it’s good business, and essential to rebuilding the middle class. And that's exactly how we achieve a win-win economy in America."
Kimberly Freeman Brown: “While today's vote is a relief to millions of families, Congress must still
prioritize getting Americans back to work before leaving for summer vacation"
Washington, D.C. –On news that the U.S. Senate passed the 60-vote threshold to extend unemployment insurance for millions of America's jobless, Kimberly Freeman Brown, Executive Director of American Rights at Work, released the following statement:
"Today's long overdue Senate vote is a godsent to the 2.5 million out-of-work Americans who were left without unemployment insurance in the worst economy since the Great Depression. Despite the efforts of anti-worker Republicans to stall this critical legislation, struggling families will soon be able to pay their bills as they continue the search for scarse jobs, while boosting consumer spending (in the process).
But let me be clear: while yesterday's vote is a relief to working families, Congress must not go on vacation without doing everything it can to stimulate good job creation and put America back to work. With the August recess fast approaching, America's workers - those with jobs and the 14.6 million without - will be watching very closely."
Kimberly Freeman Brown: “Our economy will boom again when workers can form unions to protect their interests, and have jobs that allow them to buy what they produce”
Washington, D.C. – As the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s 2010 “Jobs for America” summit begins, Kimberly Freeman Brown, Executive Director of American Rights at Work, released the following statement:
“I hope the U.S. Chamber of Commerce realizes that good jobs begin by ending the corporate takeover economy that allows unscrupulous employers to cheat employees and cut corners to boost profits and gain an edge over more fair-minded competitors.
On jobs, the path from going nowhere to getting ahead is by employers and employees working together to generate profits and share the rewards.
Rather than stand in the way of workers who seek to join the middle class by organizing unions in their workplaces, the Chamber should encourage workers to have a voice on the job. Workers must be allowed to join with their employers as equal partners to solve problems effectively, produce goods efficiently, and work more safely.
Our economy will boom again when workers can form unions to protect their interests, have jobs that allow them to buy what they produce, and when good employers who respect their workers gain the upper hand. The Chamber should stop standing in the way of that progress.”
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