C4. Radical Labor

Registered nurses and graduate students demand University of Chicago provide the highest quality of care for patients and uphold the highest educational standards ADonahue December 1, 2023 Registered nurses and graduate student workers at the University of Chicago will hold an early morning press conference on Monday, Dec. 4, to demand that the university respect its workers and settle their contracts quickly without unnecessary delays and deliberate stalling. NNOC NNU National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United Dec 1, 2023 Illinois

Maine nurses to hold community forum on nurse staffing crisis and public health mamjadi November 30, 2023 Members of the Maine State Nurses Association will hold a community forum on Tuesday, December 5, on the current nurse staffing crisis and what can be done about it. The forum is co-sponsored by the Muskie School of Public Service, the Maine Women’s Lobby, and Maine People’s Alliance. MSNA NNOC Maine State Nurses Association, National Nurses Organizing Committee Dec 1, 2023 Maine

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Nurse union leaders from around the world demand governments address health impacts of the climate crisis ADonahue November 29, 2023 At a briefing for members of the global press, Global Nurses United (GNU), the premier federation of global nurse unions, released a statement urging governments to take action against the health impacts of climate change, in advance of international climate negotiations at COP28. GNU Global Nurses United Nov 29, 2023 International

Send a hand-written letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to demand permanent resident status for all undocumented people (called regularization) and migrant students and workers. Make sure to send us a photo, too!

How to send your letter:

• Take a photo and send it to us by December 11, 2023. 
• You can send photos through email or WhatsApp
  • Email to letters@migrantrights.ca
  • Or send to an organizer via Whatsapp:
    • Farm workers (English):
      905-324-2480
    • Farm workers (Spanish):
      647-807-4722
    • Fishery workers:
      506-251-7467
    • Care workers:
      416-897-4388
    • Current and Former International Students:
      416-887-8315
    • Undocumented workers:
      416-500-0028
• Then, put it in an envelope and address it to the Office of the Prime Minister, 80 Wellington Street, Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2. You don’t need to attach a stamp! 

What should the letter say:

• Migrants: How will permanent resident status for all change your life?
• Ally or a supporter: How will permanent resident status for all make life better for everyone in Canada? Learn more here. 
• Remind the Prime Minister that he promised regularization on December 16, 2021 – almost two years ago! Every day of delay means migrants are abused at work, denied healthcare, and separated from families.

Once you’ve sent the letter, organize or join a delivery in your city. 

• On December 16-18, we will deliver all the letters to MPs across the country. 

The post IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED: WRITE A LETTER TO PRIME MINISTER JUSTIN TRUDEAU TO ENSURE STATUS FOR ALL appeared first on Migrant Workers Alliance for Change.

Did you know that wages for migrant farmworkers were updated recently? Keep reading to make sure you’re being paid correctly!

How to find your rights on wages

As a migrant farmworker, you have certain rights according to your contract – including wages. Do you know where to look in your contract for information about your wages?

If you’re a seasonal farmworker (8 months contract or less), look at page 4 of your contract under “PAYMENT OF WAGES“. What does it say?

[If you don’t have a copy of your contract with you, tap this link for an online version.]

It says that your boss must pay you weekly wages at a rate that is equal to or above the following rates, whichever rate is highest:

• The provincial wage for farmworkers according to where you work;
• The prevailing (or median) wage rate for the type of work you do in the area where you’re employed, as decided by Employment and Social Development Canada (the government department that administers the seasonal farmwork program); OR
• The wages that your boss is paying other seasonal workers who are doing the same type of work you do.

Often the second option (prevailing or median wage) is the highest, and this rate is updated every year so be sure to check back each season. The most recent update was November 29, 2023. Are you being paid properly? Keep reading to find out!

How to find your wage rate

First, look at your work permit under “ADDITIONAL INFORMATION” and find where it says “OCCUPATION/PROFESSION“. What does it say?

Next, tap this link: jobbank.gc.ca/trend-analysis/search-wages

You should see this:

In the white box, type the occupation that’s listed on your work permit. Press the blue “Search” button.

Then, scroll down to where it says “Hourly wages by community/area“. You will see 3 columns: Low ($/hour), Median ($/hour), and High ($/hour).

Finally, find the region where you’re employed and look under the Median ($/hour) column in the middle. Whatever rate is stated there is your rate of pay according to your contract.

How to report contract violations

Is your boss not paying you correctly? Not sure if your wages are right?

You’re not alone! Message Kit on WhatsApp at 905-324-2840 for support.

The post Farmworkers: Check your wages for updates! appeared first on Migrant Workers Alliance for Change.

More than 100 nurses to rally at HCA office in Tampa ADonahue November 27, 2023 More than 100 registered nurses from HCA facilities across the country will hold a rally on Nov. 30 outside of HCA’s West Florida Division Office in Tampa, Fla. to demand better from management ahead of 2024 contract negotiations. NNOC NNU National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United Nov 27, 2023 Florida

Desert Regional nurses to hold rally to demand transparency and public input in negotiations on proposed lease and sale of critical public hospital ADonahue November 22, 2023 Registered nurses at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, Calif. will hold a rally on Tuesday, Nov. 28 as they demand that the Desert Healthcare District involve them and the public as the district considers or negotiates contracts regarding either the sale or lease of the public hospital. CNA California Nurses Association Nov 22, 2023 California

Nurse union leaders from around the world speak up on the growing health impacts of the climate crisis mamjadi November 21, 2023 Global Nurses United will host a virtual press briefing for members of the global press on Wednesday, November 29. Nurse union leaders will detail the growing health impacts of the climate crisis in their respective countries in advance of the beginning of COP28. GNU NNU Global Nurses United, National Nurses United Nov 22, 2023 International

Registered nurses in Texas and Kansas announce second strikes at Ascension hospitals mamjadi November 21, 2023 Registered nurses in Texas and Kansas at three Ascension hospitals gave notice today to their employer that they will hold one-day strikes on Wednesday, December 6 to protest unsafe conditions management has failed to remedy. NNU NNOC National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United Nov 22, 2023 Texas Kansas

Ascension nurses in Wichita to march on management ADonahue November 20, 2023 Registered nurses at Ascension via Christi St. Francis Hospital and Ascension via Christi St. Joseph Hospital in Wichita, Kan., will confront hospital management on Wednesday, Nov. 22 to protest management’s failure to bargain for fair contracts that protect patient safety and retain staff. NNOC NNU National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United Nov 20, 2023 Kansas

Ascension Seton nurses to march on management ADonahue November 20, 2023 Registered nurses at Ascension Seton Medical Center in Austin, Texas will confront hospital management on Wednesday, Nov. 22 to protest management’s failure to bargain for fair contracts that protect patient safety and retain staff. NNOC NNU National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United Nov 20, 2023 Texas

Are you a member of MWAC? Join us in Toronto on December 10 from 2-5pm to connect with fellow members, share food & laughs, and take action together as we demand permanent status for all!

The post United we are stronger! MWAC members party appeared first on Migrant Workers Alliance for Change.

HCA Healthcare ADonahue November 16, 2023 RNs at HCA Healthcare hospitals are standing strong and organizing to protect their contracts, and to ensure they can continue to deliver the highest quality patient care to their communities.

• Read more about HCA Healthcare

Donate now

Every year, migrant farm and fishery workers face a grave injustice – tens of thousands of dollars in wages stolen by bad bosses. Trapped in a system of indentureship where speaking up means risking homelessness, poverty, deportation, and a ban from returning, workers rarely fight back. When they do – they are often denied their rights because they don’t have “evidence”.

Our Solution: Worker Rights Hand Book

We’re launching a Worker Rights Handbook and Video Series for migrants to know their rights, and gather evidence of exploitation.

Where your contribution will go

• Legal Consultation: Ensuring workers have the best legal support when they speak up.
• Video Development: Creating informative and empowering content,
• Handbook Design: A comprehensive way to learn rights and track hours and wages.
• Translation: Making our handbook available in many languages.
• Distribution: Directly to migrants workers in farms and fish plants in rural communities across Canada.

Every dollar matters

• $20,000: We will create and distribute the handbook with videos in English and Spanish to over 4,000 workers.
• $40,000: We will add Thai, Vietnamese, Tagalog and Indigenous languages, and create additional videos.
• $60,000: We will turn the handbook into an app that workers can use to gather evidence, learn their rights and connect with others.

To contribute

• Via credit card: On this page
• Interac: info@migrantworkersalliance.org
• Cheque: Migrant Workers Alliance for Change, 720 Spadina Avenue, Suite 223, Toronto, ON M5S 2T9

The post Fund Migrant Worker Wage Theft Fightback appeared first on Migrant Workers Alliance for Change.

Hazel Hawkins RNs and health care workers to deliver community petition to San Benito County Health Care District mamjadi November 15, 2023 Registered nurses at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister, California, will present the San Benito County Health Care District a community petition with more than 1,500 signatories at the district’s scheduled meeting on Thursday, November 16. NNU CNA California Nurses Association/National Nurses United Nov 15, 2023 California

Wichita nurses deliver petition demanding safe staffing to Ascension management mamjadi November 15, 2023 Nurses at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis and Ascension Via Christi St. Joseph hospitals in Wichita, Kansas, delivered a petition demanding a reversal of staffing cuts degrading patient care and safety. NNU NNOC National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United Nov 15, 2023 Kansas

[Tap here to sign the petition]

The Minister of Labour in Jamaica, Pearnel Charles Jr., recently promised to open the overseas farmwork program to people with disabilities and create an even larger pool of workers to abuse and exploit. Does that sound fair to you?

Keep reading for 2 simple actions you can take!

1.Watch this video to learn 3 reasons why this promise is not the progressive measure the Ministry claims it to be:

2. Sign the petition below to send a message to Minister Charles – tell him to treat farmworkers fair! We want an end to the unfair practice of blacklisting, which bans farmworkers who get injured or speak up about our rights as humans and workers. Scroll down to sign or tap here to read the full petition.

Because migrants are denied permanent status in Canada, seasonal migrant farmworkers are forced to depend on our bosses to get requested back to the country each year. We are threatened with being banned (blacklisted) from the farmwork program if we speak up about abuse and unsafe conditions.

This unfair practice of blacklisting will end – but only if we take action together today!

We are uniting as migrant farmworkers to call on the Minister of Labour Pearnel Charles Jr. to:

• Meet with Migrant Workers Alliance for Change farmworker members and listen to workers’ concerns;
• End the discriminatory practice of blacklisting, as directed by migrant farmworkers;
• Create an ombuds office at the Ministry of Labour to support farmworkers who have not been requested back by their employer, and to facilitate placement on another farm;
• Call on the Canadian government to grant permanent resident status to all migrants on arrival, including seasonal farmworkers.

Your personal information will be kept private and confidential, we will never share your name or contact information and will only use it to keep you updated.

The post Treat Farmworkers Fair: TAKE ACTION appeared first on Migrant Workers Alliance for Change.

En la Alianza de Trabajador@s Migrantes por un Cambio luchamos por la dignidad y la justicia migrante, esto incluye unidad familiar, mejores condiciones en el trabajo y la vivienda e igualdad de derechos.

Hemos creado este cuestionario para Trabajador@s Agrícolas, para que comparta como le fue esta temporada 2023 y si tiene pedido la siguiente en el 2024. Por ejemplo: ¿Le regresaron antes de que termine su contrato? ¿Trabajo menos horas este año? ¿No le pagaron lo justo?

¡Merecen un trato justo, seguridad laboral e igualdad de derechos!

¿Está de acuerdo? Complete este formulario para compartir su historia y aprender cómo podemos lograr el cambio juntos. Todo lo que comparta es privado y confidencial.

The post Cuéntenos sus experiencias esta temporada 2023 ¿Cómo le fue? ¿Tiene pedido para la próxima temporada? appeared first on Migrant Workers Alliance for Change.

California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee Statement on the Crisis in the Middle East ADonahue November 13, 2023 As nurses, our patients trust us to help and heal them when they sustain harm due to the conditions in their everyday lives. To honor that sacred trust, it is our duty to speak up for every human being’s right to a life free from violence and the traumas of war.

• Read more about California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee Statement on the Crisis in the Middle East