[OccupyCU] some events on the Flex-N-Gate issue from the Jobs With Justice meeting last Saturday

[Karen Medina]

Upcoming events for the Flex-N-Gate campaign:
--- This Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012 at 7:30pm, there will be a
leafletting about the Flex-N-Gate situation (including info about
upcoming actions) at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts prior to
a ballet to be held there.  The Owner of the Flex-N-Gate is a major
donor to Krannert.

--- March 10th there will be a "Speak Out" where Flex N Gate workers
can share their stories.  The tentative time and location are 1 p.m.
at Channing-Murray (aka Red Herring).

--- March 13th there will be a  Rally location/time tbd

-- There was an update about the G-8 Summit in May in Chicago.  There
are multiple protests and actions in the works, and there is talk of
local labor from C-U pulling together to get a bus for people to go
up.  This conversation is in early stages.

-- The Campus Labor Coalition is looking to March 15th--when the Board
of Trustees is in town as a potential day for action.  There was an
update about the recent "Have a Heart" Valentines Day rally.

Please consider signing a solidarity letter.

----------------------------------- Basic background information -----------

Over the past months Flex-N-Gate Campaign workers have been organizing
to improve working conditions and safety at the local plant.
According to the website dedicated to this campaign: “In early
December 2011, workers at Flex-N-Gate’s Guardian West plant in Urbana,
Illinois, filed complaints with the U.S. Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA) alleging more than 30 violations of OSHA
standards intended to protect against unsafe working conditions at the
plant. The plant manufactures, electroplates, and paints bumpers for a
variety of light trucks.”  (For more visit:
http://justiceatflexngate.org/)

Recently, Congolese workers who have taken leadership roles in the
campaign faced eviction from their apartments, apparently in
retaliation to their activism.  This decision was reversed due to the
outcry from the community and local labor, but has highlighted the
fact that these workers need support.

Jobs With Justice has answered their call for help.  They are planning
a series of actions in support of Flex-N-Gate workers.