Events for Moncure workers, Durham's homeless, and water quality and democracy

First is an announcement from a listserve:

 

STAND UP FOR WORKER JUSTICE AT MONCURE PLYWOOD, LLC, IN CHATHAM COUNTY !
 
Join a Faith, Labor and Community solidarity rally on Saturday, Dec. 20th at Noon at the Courthouse in Pittsboro on US 15-501.
 
Ø     Members of International Association of Machinists Union Local W.369 (IAM) have been out on strike since July, 2008.

Ø     The Company has demanded a 60 hour mandatory work week.

Ø     Prohibitive increases of 300-400% in workers' health premiums.

Ø     Cuts in pension benefits

Ø     An end to seniority and other union protections negotiated over the past 40 years since African American workers organized the union and got Latino and White workers to join.
 
Until the recent corporate buy outs of the family owned business, there were few grievances and no strikes. 
Nooses have been hung outside the plant to intimidate strikers. 
The company has sought to divide workers.
Moncure Plywood has been cited for health and safety violations. 
The National Labor Relations Board has just cited Moncure with unfair labor practices.
 
We cannot let this company destroy a union and throw workers out on the street.  We must tell the Moncure management and their owners that our community will not tolerate companies that treat their workers unjustly.  Demand the company and its investment banker owners return to the bargaining table and negotiate a decent and fair contract.
 
Here is what you can do to bring justice to the Moncure Workers, our neighbors and friends: 
 
v    Call Moncure CEO Richard Yarborough at (360) 432-5004, and Atlas Holdings owner and investment banker Tim Fazio at (203) 622-0207.

v    Send contributions to the workers who are deeply in debt, and struggle to meet mortgage payments and their electricity, water and food bills. Make  checks payable to IAM Local Lodge 369 and mail to IAM at P.O.. Box 318, Moncure NC 27559.

v    Come to the Dec. 20th Rally at noon at Pittsboro's courthouse.

v    Come to the Picket Line to support to the strikers. 306 Corinth Road, Moncure, NC 27559
 
For more information, call (919) 968-1888 or (919) 370-4114.
 
¡Sí se puede!

 

Vigil for homeless people who died this year in Durham

 

The vigil to remember 10 people will be Sunday the 21st at 5:30 at City Hall Plaza.  For more information see www.durhamtenyearplan.org. 

 

Oppose Durham County's proposal to let a developer define his project out of Jordan Lake

 

For more information, see www.indyweek.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A272431 and www.indyweek.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A271898, an earlier article which includes a map.  The County Commissioners recently decided to accept a survey of Jordan Lake's boundary conducted by a developer who wants to build a massive commercial and residential development (751 Assemblage) along New Hope Creek near the corner of 751 and Stagecoach Road a little south of Southpoint Mall.  The BOCC did this on the grounds of saving money, despite the conflict of interest, other spending they did approve, and the impact this development will have on the Lake's already poor water quality. Opponents are asking that people contact Julie Ventaloro, the State Division of Water Quality official who has authority on this issue. Her email is Julie.Ventaloro@ncmail.net and she can be reached by mail at

NC DENR-DWQ
Wetlands and Stormwater Branch
NPS Assistance & Compliance Oversight Unit
1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina  27699-1617

She will decide soon, and I have heard that it is likely that she will question the proposal, rather than reject it.  People also need to write letters to the editor and guest editorials and contact the media, especially in Durham, so the public knows what the majority on the BOCC is trying to do.  There have already been some letters.