Support CA member Brooke Stepp and Olympia IWW

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Common Action

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Jun 29, 2009, 10:52:51 PM6/29/09
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Continue to support Common Action member Brooke Stepp and the Olympia IWW in their fight against Neil White and the Aerie Ballroom!

Thanks to all of you who have supported the Olympia General Membership Branch of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) so far in our fight against The Aerie Ballroom and Neil White in Centralia, WA. This fight and those like it show that when we get together, we can win justice for working people everywhere!

This past Friday, June 26th we held an informational picket in Centralia at the Hub City Grill, a restaurant that is also owned by Neil White and is conveniently across the street from the Aerie Ballroom. About 15 people came out to show their support for the Olympia General Membership Branch and Brooke in our fight. We were able to spread the word about our struggle during the Friday night dinner rush!

Our demand remains the same: REINSTATE BROOKE!

We will continue to put pressure on Neil White and the Aerie Ballroom until our demands are met!

WHAT YOU CAN DO:
This week, we're asking for solidarity letters and phone calls.

THURSDAY JULY 2ND has been designated as a call in day. Please call The Aerie Ballroom at (360)807-1212 and demand that Brooke be reinstated in her position!

Also, please send SOLIDARITY LETTERS. Letters are welcome from individuals, organizations and unions. A form letter is attached to this email to make it a bit easier, or feel free to write your own.

We also have another PICKET planned.

WHEN? Wednesday July 8th, 2009. Carpool leaves at 6 PM SHARP! Picket is from 7 PM-9 PM

WHERE? The picket is in Centralia, but we'll meet at the Artesian Well in Downtown Olympia (off 4th Ave. between Adams and Jefferson). The rendezvous point in Centralia will be disclosed at the carpool.

BACKGROUND ON THE SITUATION:
Ninety years after the Centralia Conspiracy and the lynching of Wobbly Wesley Everest, the Wobblies are back in Centralia.

A member, Brooke Stepp of the Olympia General Membership Branch of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) was fired from her job on unfair, illegal and unjust grounds. She put in the simple request to her boss that she be paid, in accordance with Washington and federal laws, for her time spent in training for her job. The boss denied her request and immediately fired her.

WHAT WE'VE DONE:
On Sunday May 17th, 13 Wobblies and supporters delivered a letter to the Aerie Ballroom stating our demands that Brooke receive payment for the training she had already completed. Neil wasn't there, so we took a picture and mailed him a copy of the letter with the picture attached.

WHAT WE'VE WON:
Neil had until Friday May 22nd to respond to our demands. On that Friday we received a letter from his lawyers claiming that Brooke was never an employee of the Aerie Ballroom (untrue), that the training she completed wasn't mandatory (untrue), and that they had filed a police report for the "incident" on May 17th. However, enclosed in the letter was a check for the training time! WE GOT HALF OUR DEMANDS MET!

For more info or for information on how to get involved email us at oly...@riseup.net

Remember: an injury to one is an injury to all!

--
http://nwcommonaction.org/
Solidarity Letter Organization.doc
Solidarity Letter Personal.doc
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