Author Archives: Seattle Solidarity Network

Furniture workers get thousands in unpaid wages

After months of being denied their full wages, the production workers at an expensive Seattle furniture business joined up with the Solidarity Network and began preparing for action.

Shortly before the fight was set to begin, they spoke with the owner, informed her that they were now involved with the Seattle Solidarity Network, and asked her once again for their pay.

The boss’s immediate reply: “No.”

Then, about 24 hours later, the three received an unexpected delivery: the pay they were owed, all of it, in cash.

Apparently the boss used those 24 hours wisely by browsing our website, looking at our past actions, and thinking about what such a conflict might do to her business.

This victory is the work of not just the three who took a stand, but of everyone who has taken part in these struggles over the past year. Thanks for being there! Of course, we are just getting started.

Threat of action ends rent dispute

During the December snowstorms, Carlos and his son had to leave their north-Seattle apartment for over two weeks after a pipe burst and flooded the place. After the repairs were done, the owners – major Sound-area property developers – refused to let him deduct rent for the time they had been forced out. Carlos argued that this was unfair and withheld the money anyway, but the company kept insisting he had to pay. He then joined with the Solidarity Network and we prepared for an action campaign. He informed management that he did not intend to pay, and that he was now involved with the Solidarity Network. On Wednesday January 28, two days before the first planned action, we received word that the company had agreed to back off and let Carlos keep the money.

Trucker actions bring Weyerhaeuser to the table

Monday, December 8, 2008, 25 people with the Solidarity Network, Industrial Workers of the World, and allied organizations picketed Weyerhaeuser corporate headquarters, at the same time as truckers in North Carolina held their first major work stoppage to demand that the company meet with them about their grievances. For the past several months these truckers have been organizing with the IWW. Currently their pay often adds up to around $6 per hour, many are dangerously overworked, and they’re stuck with nearly all expenses related to their vehicles, fuel, and insurance. Following Monday’s actions, Weyerhaeuser management has announced that they will sit down and meet with the truckers within the next 14 days. This is still only a small victory – truckers expect it will take a long, hard fight before all their demands are met.

Update: The word from North Carolina is that management has broken its pledge to meet with the drivers, and the struggle continues.

Tuff Shed fight ends–compensation granted

After coworker and customer witnesses came forward with the truth about Tomania’s on-the-job injury, the state (Department of Labor & Industries) has rejected Tuff Shed management’s story and approved Tomania’s claim for compensation. The company has not appealed the decision. This means Tomania has finally been able to get the surgery she needed, and her knee is starting to getting better. Following our second picket, she has decided to end our public campaign and move on to pursuing legal action against the company.