Si Se Puede/Yes We Can: Grassroots Efforts to Confront Poverty on Long Island — A Virtual Panel Discussion
Join LIJWJ, The Poor Peoples’ Campaign, and Abraham’s table for another engaging virtual panel discussion! Despite many challenges that remain, there are many reasons to celebrate if you take a close look at recent wins of the workers’ movement.
Tune in and be inspired by progress being made by community and worker organizations right here on Long Island! Click the flier image or this link to register now!
Bosses Steal (a lot)
Every year an estimated 2.1 million New Yorkers have wages stolen by their bosses (🤬). That’s almost a quarter of the 9.4 million people in our state’s workforce, meaning one out of every four of you reading this have likely had wages stolen at some point. If you’re not aware of the many forms wage theft takes, you may not even be aware you’ve been stolen from!
Have a look at this list of the most common ways wage theft shows up. Have any of these things ever happened to you? Let us know in a survey linked here!
Starbucks Bargaining Community Solidarity Messages
As you read this, Starbucks workers are in Atlanta sitting across the table from their multi-billion dollar employer in a historic bargaining session. These workers have fought and won against the odds for years to get here, and a fair contract covering ALL unionized stores is within reach.
Despite their wins and the momentum built around their union’s growth, bargaining can be just as exhausting and challenging as organizing stores. Like organizing stores, the fight for a contract is often a battle of attrition that favors the side with more resources. What power their corporate employer can project through dollars, workers need to match with community.
We all can’t be present to show our solidarity with Starbucks workers in person. But we can show up for them in other ways. Below is a chance for you to send messages of solidarity to Starbucks workers as they face down the company that has used every tool at its disposal to stop them from getting to this point. LIJWJ will convey these messages to the workers to keep spirits high until the ink is dry on their contract.
Let the workers know that our communities are on their side and rooting for them! Write your solidarity message here!
People’s Campaign for Parole Justice Advocacy Day
From our friends at Release Aging People in Prison (RAPP):
“On May 7, the People’s Campaign for Parole Justice will gather hundreds of people across the state for our biggest advocacy day yet in support of the Elder Parole and Fair & Timely Parole to reunite our families and end the racism of permanent punishment.
As part of our efforts to demonstrate broad-based support from all corners of the state, we are asking organizations, businesses, faith groups/houses of worship and other partner entities to co-sponsor our advocacy day. We’re asking all allied groups to please contribute whatever people and resources you’re able to.
.png)
Co-sponsor our parole justice advocacy day on May 7 at the NYS Capital here. You can also find an outreach guide w/ sample email, texting & social media language here.”
Become a LIJWJ Sustainer!
Among the many ways you can support LIJWJ and the workers we fight for is by becoming a monthly sustainer! This is a surefire way to help us continue doing the work we do. We don’t get big checks from ultrawealthy donors or corporations (they’re not too fond of us for some reason 😉). Instead, funding for LIJWJ’s work comes from community funders, partners and individuals like you. Donating on a monthly basis can be the most sustainable way for both LIJWJ and you.
If you’re able, please go and sign up now to be a sustainer today! It goes a long way supporting the work you read about in these emails!
In solidarity,
Long Island Jobs with Justice
Unsung Voices is a traveling art exhibit organized by members of the LI Fund Excluded Workers (FEW) Coalition, an assemblage of local worker and community organizations. The exhibit is designed to shed light on the experiences, struggles, and triumphs of workers who have been marginalized or overlooked due to inequalities that transcend all aspects of their lives. In 2023 the exhibit was displayed at multiple locations, and we are looking to take it on the road again with some new artwork added!
When workers seek accountability through internal channels, toxic managers are protected in exchange for their blind loyalty to the company. Despite the risks involved, baristas have spent years fighting through a gauntlet of toxicity and union busting to seek justice.
Long Island Jobs with Justice 