Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Support the Workers'/Students' Strike on May Day

 Un Dia Sin Inmigrantes

Cosecha and DSA.

Cosecha, Immigrant Rights Organizations, Workers Centers and several unions  have launched  a  national strike billed as a “day without immigrants” to demonstrate that the country depends on the labor of immigrants and working class.  Thousands of students and  workers have already pledged to strike in what organizers expect to be the largest national strike since the Megamarches of 2006.

Join with DSA and this growing movement to strike on May 1. Don’t be left behind.  Organizers from Moviemento Cosecha have said that more than 400,000 workers have committed to strike. See story here http://inthesetimes.com/working/entry/20071/the_upcoming_may_day_strike_could_be_the_biggest_in_over_a_decade

As the strike day approaches the presidents of the Almagamated Transit Union, the Communications Workers of America, the Nation Nurses United, and the United Electrical Workers  have urged their members to participate in the strikes, boycotts and protests in an outreach piece organized by Labor for Our Revolution.

We encourage DSA chapters, students and unions  to join in the massive strikes, boycotts, and other actions beginning on May 1. The movement will continue after May 1.  Information on the post May 1 events is at www.lahuelga.com

Do you have a right to strike?
Can workers strike for political issues ?
What actions can workers at risk of retaliation take to protect themselves?
In the lead up to the March Day Without Immigrants, the Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en Lucha (CTUL) suggested that their members who wanted to participate should take these  precautions to mitigate their risks:
1  Tell your employer, in writing, your reason for striking
2  Make sure the reason is directly related to your workplace
Inform your employer that you will be back at work on your first workday after the strike.
3. Send the message as a text and keep a copy of the text as evidence.
If you are a member of a union, discuss your strike plans first with your union representative. See a detailed description of your right to strike and how to protect yourself here. https://talkingunion.wordpress.com/2017/02/24/immigrants-strike-by-the-thousands/

Cosecha is a new nonviolent movement fighting for permanent protection, dignity, and respect for the 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States. Their name, "harvest" in Spanish, honors the long tradition of farmworker organizing and the present-day pain of the thousands of undocumented workers whose labor continues to feed the country. Committed to winning real victories for their community, Cosecha believes in using non-cooperation to leverage the power of immigrant labor and consumption and force a meaningful shift in public opinion.

Cosecha emerged from a year and a half of strategic planning by immigrant rights and DREAMer organizers who have watched politicians battle for their votes, only to stall legislation year after year. For this reason, Cosecha doesn't rely on traditional tactics or dance with political parties. Instead, they are going on the offensive and calling for a series of strikes and boycotts to show that this country cannot function without immigrants.
In January DSA was one of many groups to  endorse the call by Cosecha for a Dia Sin Inmigrantes on May 1. You will find DSA’s logo on their partners page along with many of our usual allies such as National Nurses United and SEIU. The DSA NPC tasked our Immigrants’ Rights Committee to encourage DSA locals to support Cosecha in areas where Cosecha is active.  You can see a map of active Cosecha groups here. http://www.lahuelga.com/getstarted/
DSA has offered to be allies and to provide support for the Cosecha efforts. They request support in the following manner.

Fundraising  There is a link on their web page to make donations. www.lahuelga.com

Worker protection.  Cosecha wants to focus heavily on walkbacks and boycotts as part of worker protection. So getting allies like DSA  to show up for those particular actions and campaigns will be key, in addition to May Day participation.
If members of your local DSA are willing to join in the worker protection efforts, contact DSA’s Immigrants’ Rights Committee at antiracism@dsausa.org  Provide your name, your DSA local, and contact information.  We will try to put you together with Cosecha efforts in your region.  If you are not in DSA, conact Cosecha directly at www.lahuelga.org   See below.

Here are Cosecha’s requests:


Worker Support - Here is the list of circles doing Cosecha led actions and supporting other actions <https://drive.google.com/open?id=1_7kSHMOH5oCoDbou1LvITOtzWS1BO1I6W6H5dN3sJ4s

In addition, we have launched a page for allies and supporters who want to take roles in walkbacks, boycotts, hotline operators for the days after the strike. Here is the page, http://www.lahuelga.com/supportworkers

Strike Fund - We have launched our strike fund this week. Here is the information http://www.lahuelga.com/strikefund

Boycotts are planned for the future.  Please watch for announcements.
We know that several DSA local chapters are participating in May Day efforts organized by a wide variety of coalitions partners. There will be marches and strikes in many regions.
You can get in touch with the Immigrants’ Rights Committee here http://www.dsausa.org/antiracism
Thank you for all you do.

Duane Campbell. Co- Chair.  Immigrants’ Rights Committee
DSA. 



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