Union workers at university raise funds for Chicago sitdown & more

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?news_6_3878

Union workers at university raise funds for Chicago sitdown
11 December 2008

MINNEAPOLIS - AFSCME Local 3800, the union of 1,600 clerical workers at the University of Minnesota, is organizing solidarity efforts for children in the Twin Cities and laidoff workers who have occupied a factory in Chicago.
Union members at the U are collecting toys for children who would otherwise not have a gift this Christmas. Toys will be donated to the Toys for Tots program. Clerical workers will be collecting toys from members of the U community on Thursday, Dec. 11, Friday, Dec. 12 and Tuesday, Dec. 16.

The union is also collecting financial contributions to support the 260 workers in Chicago from Republic Window who have occupied their factory with a peaceful sit-in. These workers are members of the United Electrical Union Local 1110 in Chicago. Their factory was shut down with only three days notice and the workers are fighting for pay owed to them, which is being illegally withheld due to actions taken by the company and by Bank of America, one of the recipients of the federal government bailout of Wall Street.

Toys for Tots donations, and/or donations for the Chicago workers will be accepted on Thursday, December 11, Friday, December 12 and Tuesday, December 16 at the following locations:

- Wiley Hall skyway entrance (West Bank) from 11:00 to 1:00
- Scott Hall Foyer (East Bank) from 11:00 to 1:00
- Outside Inn Hallway (Medical Area) from 11:00 to 1:00
- WBOB (West Bank) from 12:00 to 1:00--There will be a donation box in the lobby where you can place gifts and donations anytime.

AFSCME 3800 sent a solidarity message to the Chicago factory workers in UE Local 1110 earlier this week (available at www.afscme3800.org/node/123 ), which the workers posted on the wall inside the factory along with solidarity statements they have received from other workers and unions around the country. We are also collecting financial donations for the Republic Windows workers. People can bring checks, made out to UE Local 1110 Solidarity Fund, or cash to the same locations where we are collecting Toys for Tots.

According to Phyllis Walker, President of AFSCME Local 3800, "Unions are based on solidarity – helping each other out especially during times of need. That's why AFSCME 3800 is collecting toys for children in need this season, and also why we are supporting the Republic Window workers in Chicago who stood up for what is right at great risk. They're going without pay heading into the holiday season. We stand in solidarity with them."