Missive from Liz Cattaneo

[LaStrega]

Missive from Liz Cattaneo:

She writes:

Dear Amberlynne,

Harassment,
Intimidation,
Unionbusting

Tell American Eagle
you expect better
from its contractors!


As the weather cools down and school starts up, you might think about picking up some new fall fashions from American Eagle Outfitters.



While American Eagle, one of the biggest clothing retailers in North America, has a corporate code for contractors that supports workers’ rights to join a union, it seems one of the company’s contractors is cut from a different cloth.



Workers at American Eagle’s Canadian distribution contractor have a shocking story to tell. When these men and women first tried to form a union, they say they were subjected to harassment and intimidation—all part of a massive unionbusting campaign.




Write a letter to American Eagle demanding that the company enforce its code of conduct at the distribution center.



How far will American Eagle’s contractor go to suppress workers’ rights to join a union? The company flew in a unionbusting firm to run a campaign against employees the very same day the workers petitioned for union certification. According to workers, the company:

Made workers attend daily, two-hour anti-union meetings,
Plastered huge “vote no” posters all over the workplace, and
Mailed an anti-union DVD to each worker’s home.
We call that unionbusting – and it’s simply unacceptable. Despite promising to treat workers with “dignity and respect,” American Eagle has not lifted a finger to enforce its code of conduct. As the largest customer of National Logistics Services, the company that owns and operates the distribution center, American Eagle can make a difference in the lives of these workers.



But instead the company has turned a blind eye - claiming it holds no responsibility for the way its distributor treats workers, who say they suffer from stagnating wages, little job security, and daily disrespect from management.



Contact American Eagle and say that this just doesn’t fit!



You know as well as I do that the company can choose to do the right thing. These workers have a right to join a union, free from harassment and fear.



Thank you for taking action on behalf of these workers!

Liz Cattaneo,
American Rights at Work

www.americanrightsatwork.org {end}





My letter to American Eagle:

On May 17 2005, myself and three others voted to go Union (GCIU Local 1-M) at the Minneapolis Star Tribune. That was after MONTHS of browbeating from management ... highly illegal. We four were the first, in McClatchy News history, to organize under their publishing umbrella. I'm darned proud of that. We unanimously voted YES to Unionize.

Us working folks have a RIGHT to organize. Now, here it is, nearly two-and-a-half-years later, and we still have no contract. The STrib has fought us tooth and nail. In fact, two of us four have since left the paper. But trust, myself and my fellow organizer still carry the torch. We WILL NOT BACK DOWN.

Do the right thing. Stand for the working man and woman ... and for their families.

I appreciate the quality of American Eagle products, but trust, until I learn you've changed your stance on your employees organizing ... I will, as will my friends and family, boycott your products ENTIRELY.

Change your stance, or we'll hit you where it hurts, your wallets.

Sincerely, Amberlynne LaStrega