News

Thursday, February 14th

Unregulated trade is getting more dangerous by the day. It's killing jobs,
exposing our families to toxic products, poisoning out pets and the environment.

Yet, Senator Voinovich keeps voting for trade deals that put our families and our
economic security at risk, including:

~ PNTR for China (Permanent National Trade Relations)
~ CAFTA (Central America Free Trade Agreement)
~ FTA for Singapore (Free Trade Agreement)
~ FTA for Chile (Free Trade Agreement)

It's time the Senator voted to regulate trade for a change. Urge him to vote for
the Food and Product Responsibility Act (S. 2081). Above all tell him:

No More Sweetheart Trade Deals!
See the photos of our Valentine's Day Event!

Wednesday, January 16th

We braved the cold to show our solidarity with United Steel Workers here in
Cleveland and throughout the country on their national day of action. Leaders
from throughout the country visited over 100 members of Congress to enlighten
them to the fact that cheap goods have a high price. We demanded our
Congressional leaders take action as we put them on notice that our trade laws
must champion safety and environmental standards as well as workers rights. We
need to protect our families, homes, workplaces, and communities from toxic
imports. Click here for photos

The USW is calling for support for the U.S. Food and Product Responsibility Act,
introduced in the Senate by Sen. Sherrod Brown and in the House by Rep. Pete
Visclosky, D-Ind. This legislation would safeguard Americans against toxic food
and products by shifting the responsibility on to the backs of the companies
producing the goods and the importers importing them.

In support of the National Day of Action, U.S. Representative Betty Sutton
introduced a resolution in Congress, recognizing the importance of food and
product safety. “I am very proud to join my Steelworker brothers and sisters and
other union members from all across this country to work on an issue so
important to our families” said Sutton in a statement released on January 16th.
“As the U.S. negotiates and rubber-stamps trade agreements with countries that
have inadequate safety standards, our families are increasingly exposed to the
dangers of food and products that do not meet the standards set by the U.S. for
the safety of consumers.” Click here for resolution

Candlelight Vigil - Prayer for Wal-Mart to Change

On Wednesday, December 19, 2007 about 100 members from the faith
community, brothers and sisters from several unions, and members from
community organizations showed their solidarity with UFCW and Wake Up
Wal-Mart by attending a Prayer Vigil at Steelyard Commons. Security from First
Interstate Properties welcomed early arrivers and informed lead organizer, Mike
Martino that we needed to vacate and call off the vigil, but we moved forward
informing them we would be gathering on city property (the tree lawn along the
road across the parking lot from the store). We assured them we would not
impede business in anyway, but they insisted we leave - we stayed. Early
arrivers headed off to other stores on the other side of the complex to shop,
saving their receipts to prove they were actually shoppers and not just
"trespassers." All of this was done under the watchful eye of two security
officers.

Undaunted by the threat of the two security officers, we continued on with the
Candlelight Vigil until backup arrived in the form of the Cleveland City Police. The
first on the scene were two detectives and before we knew it there were 4
cruisers with armed uniform officers as backup. The two detectives approached,
with the security officers in tow, and asked that we disperse. An agreement was
quickly reached and we were given 5 minutes to wrap up the evening's event
that had already gone on for almost the amount of time we had planned.

So basically, Wal-Mart officials think that it is necessary to tie up the time of the
Cleveland City Police to disperse a crowd of people holding a peaceful Candlelight
- Prayer Vigil. A Vigil that was not on their property, not interfering with
business, not being unruly in any way - it was a Prayer Vigil! This is America and
we were exercising our rights to assemble freely on city owned property. OH
WAIT! That's right! You like doing more business with China, where they don't
have that right. Maybe you were confused and forgot we were in the United
States! Come on Wal-Mart! WAKE UP!