MHV05-01

Local President Larry Adams has advised me that the long awaited, straw poll election of shop stewards at the NJI-BMC Branch will take place next week. Below is a notice that contains instructions for the process.

It’s certainly a step forward at our facility to witness our co-workers presenting a program honoring women and themselves. Our Union would like to see even larger joint effort develop out of this project. To include both Unions, all crafts, wider range of age groups.

Specifically, we like to salute those responsible. Thank you. Working women, our comrades in the struggle for better hours, wages, working conditions and in the long–run a better society, still face double standard discrimination based on gender. In addition to the everyday maligning they faced as members of the working class. The nature of our employment is no reason to cast aspersions on workers in respect to the imposed relegation of “our status” as a lower category. This notion was imposed on workers by default. It is the same with the status and treatment of women; whether it’s by class, race, education, ability etc., etc. It is undeserved, untrue, and unwarranted.

Our collective task remains the intensification of the effort to root-out this poison. This effort must be a commitment of all of us, 24/7, 365. Building bridges and screening our own prejudices, especially in emotional moments when we usually revert to irrational thinking or reaction. Our sisters ask for no more than RESPECT and a level playing field. In the workplace, the home and society. The narrow mindedness, bigotry, discrimination and harassment must cease! Not only from the employers (who’ll use any riff to divide us) but also from within the ranks of the workers. We must keep focused in order not to have unresolved issues turned against us.

Chauvinism is rooted in the old traditions and/or way of life of society, and it continues to influences the lives of the people. But all things must face the test of time. That is why the new replaces the old, new relationships replace old relationships, beliefs, traditions and practices that hold back progress. Society must be improved the out dated ideas must be dispose of.

Recognition of the equality of women is no different. Besides, why should women be saddled with the burden of subordination, simply to relieve the pressure of insecurity of some men? It’s not fair, it’s not right, and it won’t be tolerated.

In cases of socio-political policy, unproductive public policy tends to die-out slowly, sometimes too slowly. But there are the backward element (stagnating back in stone-age) that manifest itself in institutional polices or individual’s beliefs that try to keep negative ism’s like chauvinism alive, simply because it existed. No matter whom it hurts, holds down, or denies opportunity, they uphold it. Monarchy once ruled most nations but as a system of leadership it failed and more democratic forms of leadership developed in opposition to ritual authoritarianism, finally replacing the outdated rule of the monarchs.

Workers should be in the forefront of the advance toward a progressive future. Whereby, we represent progress not going backwardness. The road forward we’ll trek, together, shoulder-to-shoulder, equal-to-equal, with our sisters. The new relationship between the genders can expand to new heights of understanding in the future society.

NJI&BMC BRANCH OF local-300 sends warm heartfelt condolences to the family of Rose Rosenfeld-Freedman b 3-27-1893 / d 2-15-2001. She was the last survivor of the Triangle Fire. She appeared at labor rallies for the rest of her life. Always expressing rage that the factory doors had been locked. Retelling the story how the owners tried to bribe her to say the doors were not locked. She refused. Mrs. Freedman escaped the inferno by going to the 10^th floor where the executive offices were and seeing the bosses taking the freight elevator to the roof. She followed them and firefighters rescued all by pulling then to the roof of an adjacent building.

Rose will always remain in our hearts and minds as a symbol of untiring will in ceaselessly advocating for safe work rules in the nation’s work sites. Rose advocated for safety well into her senior years, reaching the age of 107, having never backed down. Countless millions of workers today are protected by safety measures, a benefit gained by struggle of Rose through the International Ladies Garment Workers Union and [its successor today] the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees or UNITE] and the labor movement against profit--driven managers. Many of who don’t give a damn about worker’s safety.

The tragic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire shall not be forgotten. Remaining an example of injustice as long as there are unprotected workers and managers who put production ahead of people’s lives. There are many still out there, even here - - at NJI&BMC.

Our Union and the Union movement are forever grateful to Rose. While we mourn our deceased, we organize to fight like hell for the living. We know she’d appreciate our effort.

“That’s the whole trouble of this fire. Nobody cares. Nobody. Hundred forty-six people in a half an hour. I have always tears in my eyes when I think. It should never have happened. The executives with a couple of steps could have opened the door. But they thought they were better than the working people. It’s not fair because material, money, is more important here than everything.”

“ That’s the biggest mistake - that a person doesn’t count much when he hasn’t got money. What good is a rich man and he hasn’t got a heart? I don’t pretend. I feel it. Still.”

Quotes of Rose Freedman

COMMEMORATE POSTAL LABOR HISTORY

Question/ On 3/18/70 thirty-one (31) years ago, do you know what event affected your work life?

*If you don’t have a clue, read the following.

March 18, 1970: The first and only nationwide postal strike in US history began. It was precipitated by low wages and lack of bargaining rights. Starting pay in 1970 was only $6,176 a year and took 21 years to reach top rate of $8,142 – barely subsistence level. Full collective bargaining did not exist; instead workers, through their unions, had to rely on “collective begging” of Congress and the White House for wages.

March 21, 70: Postal strike reaches peak, with more than 230,000 workers in 200 cities across the nation participating. WORKERS REJECTED BACK-TO-WORK-ORDER.

March 23, 70: President Richard Nixon declares a “national emergency,” orders 30,000 troops to NYC to sort mail during the postal strike. The troops lacked the knowledge and skills to do the job and, as a result, the mail went nowhere.

March 25,70: Postal Strike ends in victory for the workers. Workers gained full collective bargaining rights, a large pay increase, and no action was taken against the striker.

* * * * * *

What’s Up with the new Contract?

MAYBE HISTORY NEEDS REPEATING???

NATIONAL POSTAL MAIL HANDLERS UNION

LOCAL 300