POWR Update!

Approximately 70 people attended the Philadelphia Officers and Workers Rising (POWR) campaign rally and "Blessing of the Hands" Ceremony on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art on Sunday, Sept. 7.

Within hours of our arrival, the museum announced that they were considering starting a new sick-leave policy (up to three days per year for full time workers who have been at the property for three years).

Though this benefit is far from what we have demanded, we are glad to know that the museum is headed in the right direction. We still need your support to make sure that the museum does not stop short of family sustaining wages, affordable health care and a real paid sick-leave policy. You can sign our online petition here

Here is a slide show of some of the speakers...

Contact: Fabricio Rodriguez, Executive Director, Philadelphia Jobs with Justice, 215-670-5855, Fabricio@phillyjwj.org

For Immediate Release: September 3, 2008

“Blessing of the Hands” Ceremony for Museum Security Guards with Bishop Dwayne Royster

Religious Event will call on Museum to Provide Sub-Contracted Workers with Paid Sick-Leave

Forty years ago today, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was shot dead in Memphis, where he was fighting alongside trash collectors who were trying to improve their working conditions, wages and benefits through unionization. All of the trash collectors were black.

Today, similar struggles continue.

It is sad to see a new group of black workers who must fight against the odds to win their rights and a voice on the job.

Contact: Fabricio Rodriguez FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tel: 215-670-5627
Cell: 215-732-8318 PRESS CONFERENCE:
E-mail: Fabricio@phillyjwj.org April 3, 2008, 2-2:30 pm
1760 Market St.

ALLIEDBARTON GUARDS DECLARE “IT’S MORE THAN JUST A DREAM”- Black Workers Update King’s Memphis Message

Philadelphia, PA, April 2, 2008- Security guards in Philadelphia say that, forty years after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., black workers are still struggling.

www.phillyjwj.org

The launch of the web-site is the first in a week long series of events commemorating the legacies of Cesar Chavez and the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. See more here
www.phillyjwj.org

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ACTIVISTS WIN $1.5 MILLION WAGE AND BENEFIT INCREASE FROM TEMPLE AND PENN

Activists Plan More Efforts To Reform Industry, Local Company Will Remain Target

Philadelphia, PA, January 28, 2008 -- A year long campaign to raise wages and benefits for security officers at Philadelphia’s two largest universities has finally paid off. The Philadelphia Officers and Workers Rising Campaign (POWR) an effort of a coalition of students, community activists and faith leaders will bring at least $1.5 million in additional income to workers. The new contracts include up to 3 days sick-leave on both campuses and raises for roving security guards at UPenn from $9.70 to $15 per hour.

Temple University Student Labor Action Project (SLAP) and Philly Jobs With Justice is asking for your support and solidarity.

RALLY/PRAYER CIRCLE
On December 11, 2007 from 3:00PM-4:00PM at Temple University (Sullivan Hall, 1330 W Berks St).

Temple Student Labor Action Project will gather to recognize International Human Rights Day and continue the escalation of tactics aimed towards the Temple Board of Trustees and Temple President, Anne Weaver Hart.

We have yet to get a straight answer from Temple administration about our demand for 5 sick days.
http://media.www.temple-news.com/media/storage/paper143/news/2007/09/11/...

Since then we have had a series of meetings: