Organizing

Workers at Presbyterian Inspired Care Nursing Home have been trying to settle their first labor contract for a year and a half. In this report we hear from one of the workers talking about the struggle. We also hear what Occupy Philly had to say to management.

El Movimiento de trabajadores sin tierra (MST) de Brasil se fundó en 1984 y ahora es uno de los movimientos sociales mas grandes del mundo. Luchan por la reivindicación de la tierra, la reforma agraria y la transformación social. Les presentamos una entrevista con Janaina Strozake, quien nació, creció y se formó en el movimiento.

As workers uprisings grow around the world and here at home, this panel explored the innovative organizing models used by excluded workers of color to win justice at work and build a movement to challenge neoliberalism. The panel was part of the Nation al Lawyers Guild Convention held in Philadelphia.

Frabricio Rodriguez has been organizing since 1998. During the National Lawyers Guild Convention he was part of a panel titled "Philly Workers Rising Up". He shared some of his organizing feats and offered some suggestions on organizing at a time when labor is being attacked on all quarters.
Submitted by Charles B Clarke

At a time when jobs, education and social services are being cut in the name of the economic crisis, we face a critical need to build a social movement that extends beyond major urban centers. The rapid growth of the Tea Party demonstrates the urgency of poor and working people coming together across lines of race, language, religion, age – and geography.

Media Mobilizing Project is proud to announce the graduation of its first two basic computer skills classes this month. This marks an important step in our expanding initiative to connect communities across Philadelphia through digital literacy and community organizing.

In 6 week classes held in both English and Spanish, we worked with first-time computer users, who learned the basics of how to communicate and find information online, gaining a crucial skill for themselves and their communities.

In the recent state budget proposal, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett proposed a cut in the education system of around $550 million (that's right, million). At the same time, the Pennsylvania prison system has not received any cuts and in fact has gotten an increase in funding (of approximately 11%).

Private security officers in Philadelphia are joining together in a civil rights campaign for fair wages, benefits and dignity on the job.

Guards are signing up with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 32BJ and anticipate upcoming employer contract negotiations.

Produced by Kistine Carolan.

On Martin Luther King Day, Monday January 17th, join us to honor MLK and all the families that make up our city and our movement.

"How does one determine whether a law is just or unjust? A just law is a man-made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God. An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law. Any law that uplifts human personality is just. Any law that degrades human personality is unjust."
-- Martin Luther King Jr., Letter from Birmingham Jail, 1963

Monday January 17th - MLK Day of Action