Latin American Solidarity

Let’s pass Farmworker Fair Labor Practices Act (S2721/A4189)

ACTION ALERT!      ACTION ALERT!     ACTION ALERT!

We need your help tomorrow, June 15. We haven’t come this far without YOU!

Please contact Gov Cuomo with new message tomorrow, Friday/June 15
New message:   Apply pressure on the NYS legislat ure to pass the Farmworker Fair Labor Practices Act (S2721/A4189) during this legislative session, which ends next week.
1.  Send text to 21333 and type the following message:  FARMWORKERS.          Follow the prompts to be connected to Gov’s office and leave message.
2. OR….call 518-474-8390 and leave message.
 
Thank you for continuing to walk this journey with NYS farmworkers!    
Marilu

#Justice4Farmworkers   #NY4Farmworkers   #TimesUp
 
Extracts from the NYCLU 2017-2018 Legislative Memorandum follow and full memo is attached.


“Farmworkers are the backbone of New York’s massive agricultural industry.  An estimated 80,000 to 100,000 migrant, seasonal and dairy workers labor on New York farms.  New York ranks among the top agricultural states in the country; it is the second largest producer of apples, snap beans and maple syrup, and is now the third largest dairy producer in the nation.”
 
“The denial of labor rights for farmworkers cannot be justified as a matter of law, nor as a matter of farm industry economics. Farming in New York is a multi-billion dollar industry, making the state one of the nation’s agricultural leaders. And agricultural industry growth in 21st century New York has been more vigorous than ever…”
 
“And yet, for those who do the work of harvesting vegetables, picking apples and grapes, and feeding, cleaning and milking herds of dairy cow, the pay is low, conditions are deplorable, and the work is grueling, dangerous and at times life-threatening.  But unlike other hourly workers, farmworkers are not entitled to fundamental labor protections due to a legacy of the Jim Crow era, farmworkers are excluded from the rights to overtime pay, a day of rest per week, and workers’compensation when injured on the job.  To make matters worse, farworkers to not even have the right to engage in collective bargaining to try to improve their conditions.”

Register for Mon kick-off trip to Albany, Poor People’s Campaign; more

Dear Friends! 716-332-3904; 716-931-3520 5/12/18

Happy Mothers’ Day Eve! Remember it was started by mothers who lost sons in the Civil War to protest war and its carnage. Read the proclamation by Julia Ward Howe (1870) here.

Join us for the historic Poor People’s Campaign kick-off trip to Albany on May 14 – Theme: “Somebody’s Hurting My People, & It’s Gone On Far Too Long!” (It’s also a great song!) Special attention will also be paid to child poverty, Women, LGBTQIA, people with disabilities, and the Green Light Program (especially important for immigrants and refugees; and which is also rallying in Albany). The bus leaves 4:30am from the LaSalle Metro/Park&Ride. Please contact kirk@cejbuffalo.org and register on line as well at
https://bit.ly/2G2F6cM
(there’s also a facebook event page fyi). And please text MORAL to 90975 to join the Campaign.

See our website including calendar for more details, as well as additional postings of our Weekly News homepage post:

– Sat May 12: Muslim Public Affairs Council Dinner, 6pm Hyatt Regency ($80; $40 for NRC/Students) – support this great organization & Millenials!

– Mon May 14: Poor People’s Campaign Kickoff in Albany; 4:30am sharp bus leaves LaSalle Sta NFTA Park&Ride, 3030 Main St, Buffalo 14214. Register at bit.ly/BuffaloPPC5-9

– Tues May 15: Honduran Musicians/Activists, 7-9pm; Latin American Solidarity Committee, Pilgrim-St Luke’s, 335 Richmond Ave (cnr W Utica);

– Tues May 15 sundown: Ramadan Mubarak to all our dear Muslim friends and families, on this the beginning of the holy and auspicious month of Ramadan!

– Sat May 19: WNYPC Annual Membership Meeting, 2-5pm, 1272 Delaware Ave (entrance & pkg round back behind bldg.) No worries snack-luck. Renew your membership on our wnypeace.org/membership, or just come ahead. All are welcome! (and members vote 😉

– Tues May 29: PPC bus to Albany with Veterans, War Economy and Stop Militarism themes.

– Weds-Fri June 13-15: Univ, Community, & Gov’t Partnerships, Rose Bente Lee Ostapenko Ctr for Race, Equality & Mission; Niagara University niagara.edu/niagara-university-partnerships-for-race-and-equality/

#unitethestruggles

Peace, Thanks, Solidarity, Justice, and yes Love.