Time for action against organized scientology’s labor abuses. What else can be done?
SME
against organized scientology for their major abuses of labor and
other related laws.
As a quick reference, here are links to several threads about this
matter:
1) the first thread announcing this new suit filed made by myself on
WhyWeProtest. The suit was filed by attorney Barry Van Sickle
representing Marc Headley as the plaintiff:
2) a copy of the actual legal complaint filed on January 5, 2009:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/9856545/Complaint-Filed-1509
3) Marc Headley’s first posting on this subject:
http://ocmb.xenu.net/ocmb/viewtopic.php?t=29899&postorder=asc
4) another posting I made on this subject telling of an administrative
complaint filed before the suit which gave many more details of the
legal violations:
5) a copy of the actual administrative complaint which was filed on
November 17, 2008 (edited to remove names of two people covered in the
complaint that organized scientology intimidated into dropping the
action):
Much is being done behind the scenes by attorneys and others regarding
all the above as matters of fact and law are digested and analyzed
with tactics and strategy being discussed.
There is also much discussion on various forums and in private
messages and emails of people in support of this action. Some, who
were ex staff of organized scientology wonder what they can do about
all this and if this legal action could somehow apply to them.
I believe it is too early to know who all should be involved, how and
if this will proceed to class action status and, if so, when, etc.
While anyone should feel free to get in touch with Marc about this as
per his posting above, I suggest there is something huge that can be
done here and now that truly stands a great chance of making a very
positive difference.
I am asking all ex (and even current) staff scientologists who ever
were on staff in any organized scientology organizations within the
state of California to at least consider making a report of the crimes
and abuses you suffered at the hands of organized scientology when on
staff.
Have a look at the “administrative complaint” filed by Barry Van
Sickle on November 17, 2007 (the link =http://tinyurl.com/7o8r5y ).
It was addressed to:
“California Labor & Workforce Development Agency
Attention: Doug Hoffner, Undersecretary
801 K Street, Suite 2101
Sacramento, CA 95814”
You could write your report to them or simply call the agency for a
local address to which you can send such a report and then send your
report accordingly.
You don’t have to but you might consider sending a copy of your report
to the appropriate organized scientology body. For example, those
covered in that letter of November 17 worked for Golden Era
Productions (a part of the Church of Scientology International). Thus
they sent a copy of their letter to:
“Golden Era Productions
19625 Highway 79
Gilman Hot Springs, CA 92583”
You are concerned citizens taking a stand to report abuses of the
labor laws. Maybe this will mean you can be compensated for abuses you
endured but even if it doesn’t you can be making a difference in
getting abuses stopped.
If enough people make their reports I cannot imagine it would not have
a huge positive impact towards stopping such abuses. Think of all the
possible results such as the Department of Labor FINALLY “getting it”
and actually doing something about it. Think of all the current staff
in organized scientology that will see these reports (if you decide to
send copies to organized scientology) and what effect it may have on
them to open their eyes and confront the horror that is part of their
daily lives.
It doesn’t matter which organization you worked for in California. It
could be the Church of Scientology International, Religious Technology
Center, Church of Spiritual Technology, the old Church of Scientology
of California, the current “major orgs” there such as the Advanced
Organization of Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, American Saint
Hill Organization in Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Organization, etc.,
etc.
A simple check of the main websites of organized scientology will give
you their addresses if you want them.
What can be covered in your report to the Department of Labor? Any
abuses you suffered as part of being on staff in organized
scientology. They are almost countless. Some are covered in the above
noted letter of November 17 and include:
“LAB 98.6 Retaliation for filing a labor complaint
LAB 201 Wages due upon discharge
LAB 204 Timely payment required
LAB 206 Any release or waiver of wages is null and void
LAB 226 Proper pay records
LAB 226.7 Proper meal breaks must be provided
LAB 432.5 Improper statement cannot be required
LAB 510 California overtime laws
LAB 512 California meal break provisions
LAB 551-552 One day rest in 7 day week
LAB 1102.5 Employee right to report violation
LAB 1175 et. seq. Records and rates on minor employees
LAB 1194-1197 Minimum wage must be paid
LAB 1290 et. seq. Improper employment of minors”
The list goes on and on. How about being beaten while on staff? How
about forced lie detector interrogations under duress?
There are THOUSANDS of us.
Now is the time, now is the opportunity and now finally we can all
take a stand and make a difference here.
If only a page long you can make a complaint. Tell what scientology
organizations for which you worked, when and what abuses you endured
and/or violations you witnessed. Ask for your government to do
something to help stop the horror which are the working conditions in
organized scientology. Be 100% honest in all you report.
You are doing NOTHING WRONG in being a concerned citizen making this
report. For years OSA and organized scientology could stop anyone
making such a report and nothing would ever come of it. Those days are
over.
2008 was a big year for exposing many of the lies, abuses and crimes
of organized scientology. IMHO it was nothing compared to what lies
ahead in 2009, especially if we will take a stand such as above.
Organized scientology has done a good job of convincing people that
the IRS deal makes it a “church”. That has been their legal and PR
line for years. The unstated assumption is that a church can do about
anything less than murder and mayhem because of the constitutional
separation of church and state. That is wrong but I believe that even
most lawyers came away from law school with that mistaken belief.
This ends now!
I only ask that all concerned that do not need or wish to remain
anonymous for reasons personal to them consider this. All of you who
can find it in your hearts to make such a report to the Labor
Department please do so. Imagine what could come of 100 such reports!
Imagine 500. How about 1,000 or more?
The days of organized scientology committing untold abuses under cover
of religious cloaking and corporate veils while stifling the truth
through threats and intimidation can be nearing an end. It is up to us
to end it.
When I wrote to David Miscavige and his attorney in 2007 pointing out
what an abuser, criminal and liar he was and how many people he hurt I
was threatened by one of their main attorneys who demanded that I stop
posting and telling the truth. Well, I’m still here posting and
telling the truth just like many others are now.
They told me that organized scientology will never be reformed or
otherwise changed by any of us out of the inner circle and I was
laughed at.
Oh really?
I don’t think so!!!
Let’s end this.
IMHO
Larry Brennan
Out_Of_The_Dark
> By now many of you have read something about the new legal case filed
> against organized scientology for their major abuses of labor and
> other related laws.
>
> As a quick reference, here are links to several threads about this
> matter:
>
> 1) the first thread announcing this new suit filed made by myself on
> WhyWeProtest. The suit was filed by attorney Barry Van Sickle
>
> http://tinyurl.com/9frucj
>
> 2) a copy of the actual legal complaint filed on January 5, 2009:
>
> http://www.scribd.com/doc/9856545/Complaint-Filed-1509
>
Great post, Larry. I hope all who worked for the church in California
considering do what you have asked.
FYI: Her is the xenu-directory pages on each of the lawsuits for:
Marc Headley
http://www.xenu-directory.net/documents/200901-headley-v-csi.html
Claire Headley
http://www.xenu-directory.net/documents/200901-headley-v-rtc.html#ld