To all -
Below is an update on the ongoing struggle to reinstate Jordana Sardo and
defend the union at Harry's Mother. Contacting Janus and Stoel Rives to
express your support for our fight for good faith bargaining, and a living
wage contract is greatly appreciated.
Industrial Workers of the World, IU 670
c/o The Red & Black Café, 2138 SE Division, Portland, OR 97202
 503-231-3899
Statement to the Media
March 3, 2001
Contact: Jordana Sardo
503-255-5776
503-240-3279
Or
Bill Bradley
(Day) 503-231-3899
(Evening) 503-236-6948
For release: Immediately
International Union (IU) 670 of the Industrial Workers of the World
(IWW) held a demonstration on Wednesday, February 28, outside Stoel Rives
law offices in downtown Portland. The IWW IU 670 is the bargaining agent
for workers at Harry’s Mother, a division of Janus Youth Programs. The
demonstration demanded the immediate reinstatement of Jordana Sardo,
illegally laid off by Janus Youth Programs in the midst of contract
negotiations, and for the nonprofit agency to stop its union-busting tactics
and bargain in good faith with the IWW.
Jordana Sardo is an IU 670 leader, a member of the contract negotiating
team, and longtime advocate for social services. She has worked as the
administrative backbone of Harry’s Mother for over 9 years. In her absence,
the critical work she provided for the Program Director and social service
staff falls on the hard pressed case managers, whose time should be spent in
direct service to the clients of Harry’s Mother. No sound business
principles or concern for the needs of the community would conclude that
administrative support is a dispensable activity.
The demonstration highlighted the fact that Stoel Rives, despite a
reputation as a liberal law firm, is playing a union-busting role in the
struggle by the union for a living wage contract. Stoel Rives is the legal
advisor to Janus management at the bargaining table, and responsible for
informing their client of the requirements of the National Labor Relations
Act (NLRA) concerning Unfair Labor Practices. The law firm also is a member
of Janus’ Board of Directors.
Over 60 unionists, civil rights activists, feminists, youth, and
concerned citizens attended Wednesday’s action. Among the organizations
providing solidarity with IU 670 were members of several Industrial Unions
of the IWW, two Teamsters locals, Carpenters, Municipal Employees, the Urban
Workers Union and Jobs with Justice. Students from high schools and local
universities, as well as other young people attended the demonstration.
Employees of Stoel Rives were leafleted with information about the labor
struggle as they left and entered the building.
Over the last year, IWW IU 670 has worked to increase community and
governmental support for Janus Youth Programs. They have testified before
local government bodies for increases in funding for Janus, and advocated
for youth programs in community meetings, media appearances and press
releases. Community support that has been building for the programs
administered by Janus is now threatened by Janus’ aggressive anti-union
actions. If community support is lost, the blow will be borne by members of
the bargaining unit and the clients of Harry’s Mother, who are homeless and
at-risk youth and in no position to find other sources for needed social
services.
After eight months of contract negotiations, Janus Youth Programs
announced lay-offs for bargaining unit members Tera Couchman, Michele
Markowitz and Jordana Sardo, and the elimination of the Student Alliance of
Garden Entrepreneurs (S.A.G.E.) program. The union quickly filed an Unfair
Labor Practice complaint with the National Labor Relations Board. When that
failed to convince Janus to rescind the lay-offs the Union began organizing
community support for their struggle.
A public campaign, involving phone calls, letters, petition signatures
and a public audit action, pressured Janus Youth Programs to rescind the
lay-offs of Couchman and Markowitz, and to find funding for the S.A.G.E.
program. However, Sardo’s lay-off went into affect February 16. Janus has
claimed that Sardo’s dismissal is not an Unfair Labor Practice. Janus’
assertion, that dismissing a member of the contract negotiating team during
negotiations is not interfering with the Union’s legally recognized right to
collective bargaining, is based on a distorted interpretation of the NLRA.
The union will continue to assert its demands for the immediate
restoration of Jordana Sardo’s position, good faith bargaining, and a living
wage contract for the employees of Harry’s Mother. Concerned members of the
community are encouraged to contact Dennis Morrow, Executive Director of
Janus Youth Programs and Richard Gleason, Board member representing Stoel
Rives. Morrow can be reached by phone at 503-233-6090, by fax at
503-233-6093 and by email at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Gleason can be reached by phone
at 503-224-3380.
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