2/11Mass Picket Against Oakland Wal-mart

Rain or Shine! Join Us This Friday, Feb. 11
6:00 AM - 12:00 Noon
Mass Union Picket Against Wal-mart
N. W. Corner of Hegenberger Rd & 880 Freeway, Oakland

Before going in to work this Friday, support the Brick Layers Local 3 and LIUNA Hod Carriers Local 166 on the picket line. While thousands of Oakland young people and skilled workers are out of work, Wal-mart is bringing in scabs from throughout the Western US to build non-union in Oakland. Wal-Mart corporation is opening a massive store in the center of the bay area and they will be using all scab labor in their operations from teamsters and construction workers to clerks. They have brought scab laborers, electricians, iron workers, teamsters and bricklayers on the project already. Some of these scabs are living in trailers on the site since they cannot afford to live in the bay area. Many are from Nevada.
The Wal-mart invasion is being supported by Oakland Mayor Brown who is a candidate for California Attorney General and Oakland City Council President Ignacio De La Fuente who is running for mayor of Oakland.
"Council President Ignacio De La Fuente added, "This project can become the catalyst of economic growth for the City of Oakland. With generated tax revenues, the convenience of shopping in our city and the creation of over 700 new job opportunities, residents of Oakland can realize resurgence in our shopping alternatives without venturing to neighboring cities. We welcome SIMEON Commercial and look forward to a long standing working relationship". April 27, 2004 Business Wire
This invasion by Wal-mart in the bay area must be mobilized against. If they get established in central bay area, all unionized jobs are threatened. Every Friday there will be a mass picket. Get your local or community organization to build support for this action. Union busters out of the bay area.
The picket picket at the Wal-Mart job site and parking is available in the shopping center. being constructed at the 880 Freeway and Hegenberger Road in Oakland.
The picket will run from 6:00 AM until approximately 12:00 Noon this
Friday, February 4.


When: Friday Feb 11, 2005
Where: 880 Freeway and Hegenberger Rd. Oakland
Time: 6:00 AM 12:00 Noon

Labor Action/Bay Area
http://www.laboraction.org

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Statement From The Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local #3 and Hod Carriers Local 166

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

. We would like to express our concerns that Frazier Masonry does not meet area wage and benefit standards. The Wal-Mart is located on Edgewater Drive, Oakland, CA on the west side of 880 at the Hegenberger exit. It would be appropriate for representatives of the community to show their support by attending this job action.

Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local #3 and Hod Carriers Local 166 are committed to continue job actions until the issues of area wage and benefit standards are appropriately addressed by Frazier Masonry and Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart only requires "contractors and subcontractors to follow all laws ... and do the right thing" (http://www.walmartfacts.com <http://www.walmartfacts.com>, January 24, 2005). Wal-Mart fails to address the issue of local community standards and the economic impact of allowing the use of a contractor that pays substandard wages and benefits and employs out of state workers. Currently, Frazier Masonry is paying below the area wage and benefit standard, which does not appear to be the "right thing" to do. By admission through Wal-Mart's policy regarding subcontractors, they (Wal-Mart) are supporting the degradation of the wage and benefit standards that the citizens of the community have spent years to establish. Frazier Masonry and Wal-Mart are not attempting to create jobs for local workers during construction. The out of state workers are not spending money locally or paying taxes here. Local 3 has approximately 200 members who live in the Oakland area who are professional masons that are more qualified to do this work.

Currently, Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local #3 health coverage is more than $7.25 per hour (approx. $14,000 per year) and our retirees just received a 40% increase in their premiums. Union workers are indirectly subsidizing companies like Frazier and Wal-Mart who don't fully cover insurance for their employees and dependents. Frazier Masonry only provides partial coverage for its employees and no coverage for dependents.

As you know Wal-Mart is no friend to it's employees or the men and women who build their facilities. Their disregard for the local community seems to contradict their latest public relations campaign and creates an environment that will exploit the standards of wages and benefits of the people that live in the community. Wal-Mart will move into the neighborhood, devour our local businesses and lower community living standards.

Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers represents approximately 3,000 Bricklayers/Stonemasons, Tile Layers and Finishers, Pointer Cleaner Caulkers, Marble Setters and Finishers, Terrazzo Mechanics and Finishers, and Refractory Bricklayers who work various aspects of the industry in the Northern 46 counties of California.

We ask you to attend our action on Friday, February 4, 2005 to show support in defending the area wage and benefit standards that the citizens of this community have established. Please contact our office as soon as possible so that we may meet with you regarding this issue.

Sincerely,


James C. Bresnahan
BAC Local 3
8400 Enterprise Way, Room 103
Oakland, CA 94621
PH: 510-632-8781 x 11
FX: 510-632-8261
http://www.bac3-ca.org