Dear Friends,
Just as we thought holiday gifts were done, another victory! Last night, at the Port of Los Angeles, Toll truck drivers who haul goods from the port to warehouses voted unanimously for their first-ever union contract, the first of its kind in twenty years. This new contract guarantees a salary raise, a functional grievance process, and even healthcare benefits. This hard-fought battle would not have ended in victory if it were not for our amazing clergy and lay leaders in the South Bay, who delegated management, picketed in the streets with workers, provided pastoral support for fearful drivers, listened to the painful conditions and responded in kind.
Our religious leaders, including--but not limited to--Rev. Jerry Stinson (UCC), Rev. Douglas Johnstone (Lutheran-Missouri Synod), Bishop Bonnie Radden (UCC), Rev. Gary Commins (Episcopal), Steve Askin (Jewish), Rev. Amy Aitkin (Methodist), Rev. Jim Bessey (Lutheran-ELCA), Bishop William Todd Ervin, Pastor Jackeline Vives (United Methodist Church), Father Will Connor (Catholic), and Councilman Mike Gipson of Compton, made all the difference. There's so many others as well who have played a direct role in this victory, and to all of them, on behalf of the workers, we say: THANK YOU!
- We passed Measure N in Long Beach, which guarantees a living wage for hotel workers there.
- We achieved a first contract for Toll Port Truck drivers.
- We ensured that food service workers at La Verne and Pomona had community and adminstration support when they demanded fair treatment and respect.
- We ended the anti-worker, anti-community Fresh and Easy grocery chain (who are closing up shop in 2013).
- We put the TRUST Act on the Governor's desk to protect immigrants (and will attempt to pass it again in 2013).
- We passed the Westside Subway Extension, guaranteeing job access and new construction jobs for millions of LA residents.
- We convinced Santa Monica to include working conditions in their bids for city Carwash contracts and did so much more for carwasheros.
2012 brought us numerous victories; what will 2013 bring? If 2012 was the Year of the Low-Wage Worker, perhaps 2013 will be the Year of the Immigrant. God and religious writ teach us that immigrants struggling for legitimacy are created in God's image, that they are of infinite worth. And now, with political will to rescue the marginalized from vicious torment, we are prepared to ensure the passage of Comprehensive Immigration Reform.
We could not have accomplished all that we have without the support of funders like you, who ensured that we had the additional minds, hands, feet, and hearts of young people this summer through our Young Religious Leaders Project, over the summer. You didn't only help us do our job; your financial contributions nourished the movement for social change, fostering a new generation of leaders empowered by their hands-on opportunity to "pursue justice, JUSTICE...that we may live" (Deut. 16:20). As a faith community, we recognize that long-term strategies are essential to the wellbeing of our world; thank you for investing in the future of justice work! If you haven't already done so, please donate now and join us in protecting the future of all workers and immigrants.
There is still so much light, if we
choose to illuminate all the light...
Happy New Year from the CLUE-LA staff!
Peace and Blessings,
Rabbi Jonathan Klein
P.S. A special "Thank You" to all the terrific CLUE-LA staff: Nicole Brown, Rev. Walter Contreras (consultant), Christopher French, Rev. Lewis Logan (consultant), David Mattis, Sam Pullen (occasional staffmember), Pastor Bridie Roberts, Elizabeth Russell, Hal Steinberg (former staffmember), Samuel Sukaton, Erin Tamayo (now former staffmember), Guillermo Torres. To all of you: Thank you for your commitment to this sacred work! Rest up so that we can make 2013 an even better year for immigrants and workers!
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