| Bashir Hameed Rest in Peace
By Anarchist Black Cross Federation 
December 31, 2008
Black Panther and political prisoner Bashir Hameed passed away in 2008. In memorium, we’re reprinting the Anarchist Black Cross Federation’s obituary of Hameed.
From the ABCF newsletter:
The Anarchist Black Cross Federation regrets to report that Freedom Fighter Bashir Hameed passed away on the evening of August 30, 2008. We extend our sympathy to his family, friends, and comrades, in and outside of the walls.
A service was held on the morning of September 4, 2008 at Dar Ul Islam of Elizabeth and was well attended by family, friends, and by people from various Black Liberation, Muslim, and Political-Prisoner/POW support communities which had been touched by his life and work. The Imam explained that the first tenet of Islam is to take care of one's well-being. Bashir, like other freedom fighters, took that principle to mean taking care of other people as well. He saw his own life as inextricably connected with the lives and well-being of other people, especially the oppressed.
After a simple service, the community proceeded to the nearby cemetery. Appropriately enough Bashir Hameed was buried with care through the collective work of family and community members, taking turns and passing the shovels to one another. Some folks gathered afterward to share food and then take turns sharing memories of the man’s life. Family members shared memories of his guidance to them in the telephone conversations that made him present in their lives during the long incarceration. Long-time political organizers remembered the guidance and collaboration they received from him over the decades.
On September 22nd the New Black Panther Party held a New Jersey Peoples’ Tribute to Bashir Hameed at Waset Kommuniversity at 271 So. 9th Street in Newark, New Jersey with speakers from the New Black Panther Party as well as the original Black Panther Party.
A Political Memorial to Bashir Hameed, held by the Jericho Movement and others, took place on November 8th from 1 to 5pm at House of the Lord Church, 415 Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn, NY.
During the spring and summer, Bashir Hameed had been physically suffering and was continuously denied any kind of medical attention or care. After he continued to suffer medical neglect through the month of May despite support and agitation, the ABCF was able to assist the Hameed/York family and comrades from Malcolm X Commemoration Committee, Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, and Jericho Movement by coordinating call-in days during the month of June to supplement the existing campaign targeting NY Governor Paterson and others and demanding immediate medical attention as well as a transfer back to Sullivan Correctional Facility. By early July, though he was never transferred out of Great Meadow, Hameed was receiving the requested care and testing thanks to consistent agitation from his family and supporters. Bashir Hameed and his wife and family sent words of appreciation out to the community and get well-cards came into the prison in response. In August, Bashir Hameed was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Again supporters sent get-well cards and waited. Others visited as often as they could.
In September 2008 NYC ABCF received a card from the family saying, “Thank you for all of your help during my brother’s struggle. He is ‘free’ now.”
Bashir Hameed was born and raised in New Jersey. In 1968, Bashir Hameed joined the Black Panther Party while residing in Oakland CA. Once he returned to New Jersey, he became Deputy Chairman of the New Jersey Chapter of BPP. FBI documents obtained during the 70's reveal that during this time Bashir became a COINTELPRO target. He was charged and convicted of the murder and the attempted murder of two police officers in April 1981. This conviction came as a direct result of his political activity. Bashir Hameed and his co-defendant, Abdul Majid were tried three times. Their first trial ended in a hung jury divided along racial lines, The second trial was declared a mistrial by the judge immediately after the jury rendered a decision that acquitted Bashir on the murder charge. At a third trial, they were eventually convicted for murder. Bashir received a sentence of 25 years. During his time behind bars he never stopped organizing towards community empowerment both inside the prison and through his family and comrades outside. He is present in the ongoing struggle and will not be forgotten. (this paragraph adapted from the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement webpage)
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Striking Workers at Bronx Cookie Plant Face Difficult Christmas Season
By Micah Landau, The Indypendent 
December 29, 2008
From The Indypendent
It is Christmas time, but there is little holiday cheer at the Stella D’Oro cookie factory in the Bronx. The 136 workers at the famous Italian biscuit company, members of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers, and Grain Millers (BCTGM) International Union Local 50, have now been on strike for more than four months and it may be several more before they head back to work. The workers’ contract extension expired at the end of July and Local 50 called the strike when the owners walked out of negotiations on August 13.
Workers at the plant are disappointed that their dispute with management could not be resolved before the holidays.
“With Christmas coming now, we are really sad to be out here in the street in the cold,” said machine operator Juan Thillet, standing outside the plant on Saturday. Thillet has worked at Stella D’Oro for eight years – a relative newcomer at the long-standing establishment – and is a regular on the daily picket line which the union posts, rain, shine, or snow, at 237th Street and Broadway.
“We would like to have – not a spectacular – but a good Christmas with our families, to buy some gifts, and enjoy it with our neighbors. It’s frustrating and nerve-wracking,” he said.
According to Emilia Dorseau, a Stella D’Oro employee for 18 years, many of her coworkers are single parents.
“They need the money for children around the holidays,” she said. “You cannot tell children otherwise – if they want something you have to provide for them. The unemployment money we get now is not enough to pay bills and to make children happy.”
But negotiations between the company and the union remain at a standstill. The company’s owners, Connecticut-based private equity firm Brynwood Partners, are demanding concessions which the workers say they cannot accept.
Brynwood’s Demands
“They came with a plan,” insists Thillet indignantly, walking up and down the line. “They did this to the drivers. They made them go out on a strike, they finished with the union, and now they have independent contractors delivering the cookies. They’re trying to force us out.”
Filippou, the shop steward, agrees. “They’re trying to make a quick dollar – get rid of the union and sell the company afterwards for a good amount of money,” he said. “If they get rid of the union, they don’t pay vacations, holidays, pensions, nothing. So they’ll have very cheap labor and they’re going to sell it to somebody else for a lot of money.”
“They refuse to show us the books. If they’re doing so badly, we want to see the books,” he adds. Otherwise, “we’ll be here as long as it takes.”
Brynwood Partners did not return calls for comment. In a December 18 letter sent to striking workers, however, the firm warned that it has now filled more than half of the positions at the cookie plant with “permanent replacement employees.”
Among its demands, says shop steward Michael Filippou, Brynwood is insisting on a 25 percent reduction in wages; elimination of Saturday overtime; and a new 20 percent employee contribution to healthcare. The company’s proposed contract also eliminates four holidays, one week of vacation, and all 12 paid sick days workers currently receive.
“They want to take $1 out of our wages every year for the next five years,” Filippou said on the picket line. “Right now, our average is about $18 an hour. In 2012, we will only make $13 an hour. That’s why we’re out here.”
Workers also accuse Brynwood of failing to negotiate in good faith. “We offered to give back some sick days and holidays,” said Eddie Marrero, a foreman who has worked at the plant for 29 years. “The company just laughed at us and walked out of negotiations.”
“It’s their way or the highway,” adds Dorseau.
In talks earlier this month, however, Brynwood did offer one change to its initial proposal: they announced their intention to withdraw from the workers’ pension fund and replace it with an individual retirement plan, or 401(k).
“In this year, now, a 401k is not a very good idea,” said Filippou, shaking his head derisively.
This is not the first clash between Brynwood Partners and workers at Stella D’Oro. The firm, which specializes in “control investments” in lower middle market companies, according to their website, acquired Stella D’Oro from Kraft in 2006. Almost immediately, they shed the company of its in-house distribution system, outsourcing the jobs of Teamster drivers at the Bronx facility to non-union independent contractors.
Brnywood’s negative history with the drivers – as well as cofounder and senior partner Hendrik Hartong, Jr.’s past involvement with the notorious union-busting Pittston Coal Company – have workers worried that they and their union may be next.
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Judge Finds Starbucks Guilty of Extensive Union-Busting
By Starbucks Workers Union 
December 23, 2008
For Immediate Release:
Starbucks Workers Union (Industrial Workers of the World)
Contact: StarbucksUnion (at) yahoo.com
Judge Finds Starbucks Guilty of Extensive Union-Busting
The IWW Scores Big Victory Over Global Coffee Chain
New York, NY (Dec. 23, 2008)- Following a lengthy trial here last year, a National Labor Relations Board judge has found Starbucks guilty of extensive violations of federal labor law in its bid to counter the IWW Starbucks Workers Union. In an 88-page decision, Judge Mindy E. Landow found, among other things, that Starbucks maintained multiple policies which interfered with workers' right to communicate about the union and about working conditions; terminated three workers in retaliation for union activity; and repeatedly discriminated against union supporters. The decision comes despite a 2006 New York settlement in which Starbucks pledged to stop illegal anti-union activities and mirrors federal government action against the company for its conduct toward baristas in Minnesota and Michigan.
"The judge's decision coupled with previous government findings expose Starbucks for what it is --- a union-busting corporation that will go to staggering lengths to interfere with the right to freedom of association," said Daniel Gross, a barista and member of the IWW Starbucks Workers Union found to have been unlawfully terminated by the coffee giant. "In these trying economic times of mass layoffs and slashed work hours, it's more important than ever that Starbucks and every corporation is confronted with a social movement that insists on the right to an independent voice on the job."
The Board decision is the latest blow against a company that has experienced a stunning fall from grace. From a precipitous decrease in customer demand to its increasingly tattered socially responsible image, the myriad of challenges facing Starbucks has resulted in the company losing over half its value from just a year ago. The decision also represents a significant victory for the IWW Starbucks Workers Union which continues to grow across the country with baristas taking creative and determined actions to improve the security of works hours and win respect on the job. Starbucks faces another Labor Board trial next month in Grand Rapids, Michigan over illegal union-busting.
"For the first time, a judge has confirmed the existence of a nationally coordinated anti-union operation at Starbucks," said Stuart Lichten, the attorney for the IWW Starbucks Workers Union in the case. "This decision conclusively establishes Starbucks' animosity toward labor organizing."
The union is confident that Judge Landow's copiously documented and well-reasoned 88-page decision will be upheld by the National Labor Relations Board in Washington, D.C. should Starbucks appeal. The victory is sure to be gratifying for the union's international supporters who conducted spirited global days of action in defense of Isis Saenz, Joe Agins, Jr., and Daniel Gross after their terminations which the Board has now found to be unlawful.
The National Labor Relations Board attorneys on the case were Burt Pearlstone and Audrey Eveillard. The union's attorney Stuart Lichten is a partner at Schwartz, Licthen & Bright, a prominent New York City labor law firm. Starbucks was represented by union-avoidance lawyers Daniel Nash, Stacey Eisenstein, and Nicole Morgan at corporate firm Akin Gump.
The IWW Starbucks Workers Union (StarbucksUnion.org) is an organization of almost 300 current and former Starbucks employees united for a living wage, secure work hours, and respect on the job. Founded in 2004, the union uses direct action, litigation, and advocacy to both make systemic improvements at Starbucks and take on the company over unfair treatment of individual baristas.
The Industrial Workers of the World (iww.org) is a rank and file labor union dedicated to democracy in the workplace and global solidarity.
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New School Occupation Wins Victory Over University Administration in 3rd Day
By University in Exile 
December 19, 2008
From New School in Exile:
After more than two weeks of concerted actions on campus, students in the occupation were finally able to win significant victories in the ongoing struggle to improve the New School. Those victories include: an agreement not to press charges or impose academic punishments for students involved in the protest, the implementation of a Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) committee within the university, more autonomy and power for Student Senate to communicate with the student body, more representation on the Board of Trustees for students and faculty, and finally the creation of more student study space on campus. As of approximately 4am this morning New School and other students have left the 65 5th Avenue building and declared the occupation successful, ending this stage of the action.
Agreement with New School President Bob Kerrey
1) I agree to grant total amnesty for all participants involved in the occupation and all events related to it over the course of 12/17/08 through 12/19/08 at all New School Buildings. Neither criminal charges nor academic disciplinary measures will be pursued against those involved. The University will not press charges against Eliot Liu.
Agreed.
Staff and security guards will be compensated for all time lost over the course of the occupation.
This is not necessary. They have been compensated.
2) I agree that students may use the GF building at 65 Fifth Ave until a suitable replacement is secured and instituted, which would include the re-installment of suitable library and study space. This would need to be approved by the USS.
Due to my limitation under the board, and because of repeated and voiced student concern about the university's investments, this is already underway for alternative space. I guarantee that by the beginning of spring semester I will provide new library space in Arnold hall. I will also provide 7000 feet of quiet study space at Sheila Johnson galleries by the end of spring semester. I agree to meet with the students to discuss the current plans, alternatives, and financial planning.
3) I agree that students will have voting representation on the search committee for the interim-Provost and the Provost, as well as any searches that may take place in the future for a new President. The details of this will be worked out with representatives of the University Student Senate, and input from the student body at large.
Agreed.
4) I agree for student participation to establish a committee on Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) for the University's endowment and that this committee will then establish an independent auditing process with the SRI framework. The committee to establish the SRI will meet by the first week of April, 2009.
Due to being limited by the board, and because of repeated and voiced
student concern about the university's investments, I will urge my
investment committee to establish such a committee with student
involvement.
5) I agree to grant the University Student Senate the ability to communicate with the student body freely and without constraint (and to not restrict their access to Groupwise email and other technologies that enable this).
I agree with the greater autonomy of the university student senate with the stipulation that the email use does not violate federal law for the distribution of materials or FERPA regulations. I guarantee that I will immediately provide the university student senate with the tools necessary to have fluid communication, in particular with reference to groupwise email, with the student body.
6) I agree that a representative of the USS should be allowed to have a representative at meetings of the Board of Trustees in order to speak to specific issues that pertain to decisions passed by the USS or directly relating to USS business.
I have already asked the chairman of the trustees to consider adding a student and a faculty member to the boards in this capacity. I have agreed to ask the board to do this.
Signed,
Bob Kerrey
12/19/08
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ACT NOW! - SBUX Responds to Union Action by Denying Anna; Need Further Action
By Daniel Gross ![]()
December 13, 2008
UPDATE and Further Call to Action!!!
First, we would like to extend thanks to all of you that have been calling and texting store manager Gwen Krueger this past week and demanding she pay Anna what is owed.
Yesterday, Anna was called into a meeting with Krueger and her District Manager, Mark Ormsbee. Krueger used this meeting as an opportunity to lie about the facts in order to cover her hide. Ormsbee, expectantly, sided with Krueger and made the mistake of refusing to pay Anna her money.
We need to let Mark Ormsbee to know that this is not over until Anna receives every penny that Starbucks owes her so she can care for her family in the holiday season.
Call and/or Text District Manager, Mark Ormsbee, at 1-917-841-4198 and continue to call and text Store Manager, Gwen Krueger, at 1-551-497-0127.
This action for justice will take place from December 11th - December 19th.
BACKGROUND
Anna's Story:
Anna Hurst is a New York City barista, Starbucks Union member, and a single mother of two.
In August, Anna went home ill from work. In retaliation, her Store Manager - abruptly and without notice - completely removed her from the schedule for two weeks.
Starbucks wrongfully denied Anna work for two weeks. Anna needs the money she's owed to put food on the table, pay her bills, and provide Christmas presents for her children.
Thank you for your solidarity.
The IWW Starbucks Workers Union is a grassroots organization of over 200 current and former employees at the world's largest coffee chain united for secure work hours and a living wage. The union has members throughout the United States fighting for systemic change at the company and remedying individual grievances with management.
StarbucksUnion.org
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'Yes' Vote at Republic: Workers Get Pay, Plant Occupation Ends
By UE 
December 12, 2008
From the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America:
CHICAGO
After the conclusion of negotiations Wednesday evening, the membership of Local 1110, more than 200 workers, met in the plant cafeteria to hear and consider the tentative settlement that had been worked out by UE negotiators over the past three days.
The settlement was approved by a unanimous vote.
'We Did It!'
Following the vote, the UE members, led by Local President Armando Robles, marched out of the plant, chanting “We did it!” in English and Spanish.
Pres. Robles stepped to the microphones outside the front entrance to the plant, where a throng of reporters and cameras had been waiting. "The occupation is over," he announced. "We have achieved victory. We said we will not go until we got justice, and we have it."
UE Western Region President Carl Rosen, who led the union negotiating team, then described the negotiations, summarized the settlement agreement, and commented on the significance of the struggle and the workers' achievement.
Pay, Health Care, Vacation Pay
The settlement totals $1.75 million. It will provide the workers with:
* Eight weeks of pay they are owed under the federal WARN Act,
* Two months of continued health coverage and,
* Pay for all accrued and unused vacation.
JPMorgan Chase will provide $400,000 of the settlement, with the balance coming from Bank of America.
Third Party Fund
Although the money will be provided as a loan to Republic Windows and Doors, it will go directly into a third-party fund whose sole purpose is to pay the workers what is owed them.
As the Local 1110 leaders characterized the settlement, “We fought to make them pay what they owe us, and we won.”
'Historic Victory'
UE Director of Organization Bob Kingsley spoke on behalf of the National Union, describing the outcome of the occupation as “a victory for workers everywhere,” and as “an historic victory for America’s labor movement.”
Kingsley went on to call the settlement “a win for all working men and women who face uncertainty, unfairness and job loss in a troubled economy.”
The 'Window of Opportunity Fund'
Kingsley then announced the creation of a new foundation, dedicated to reopening the plant. It will be initiated with seed money from the UE national union and the thousands of dollars of donations to UE Local 1110's Solidarity Fund that have come in from across the country and around the world in just the past five days.
Melvin Maclin, vice president of Local 1110, announced the name of the foundation, which was chosen by the workers themselves: the Window of Opportunity Fund. Maclin said that the fund will be open to receive donations from all friends of the Republic workers and supporters of their struggle.
Rosen introduced U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez, praising the congressman for his tireless work in behalf of the Republic workers and indispensible role in bringing about the settlement. Gutierrez spoke at some length, and then introduced David Rudis, Illinois state president for Bank of America. In a statement to reporters, Rep. Gutierrez said, "This money will only be used to pay the workers the benefits they are owed under the law, and it will not under any circumstance be used for corporate bonuses, luxury cars or any other perk for the owners of the plant."
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Wed at noon: Solidarity with striking Chicago workers
By NYC Workers 
December 09, 2008
Friends, co-workers, and neighbors:
The Chicago sit-down strikers have called on supporters to rise up in solidarity on Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 12 noon. The UE strikers have galvanized working people around the country and the world by taking direct action. Let's honor their struggle and ensure it becomes a turning point for the movement against the neoliberal policies of the multinational corporations and U.S. government.
Anti-authoritarians in New York City are meeting on 10th St. and Second Ave. outside of St. Mark's Church and proceeding to action locations from there.
Meet-up outside of St. Mark's Church – 10th St & 2nd Ave
Wednesday, December 10th
12 Noon
BRING- Flags, Banners, Instruments Noisemakers
Sponsored by Wobblies in New York City
Contact:
201-787-6035
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Demand Starbucks Pay Barista Her Wages!
By Starbucks Workers Union 
December 06, 2008
Fellow Union Members and Friends:
Anna Hurst is a New York City barista, Starbucks Union member, and a single mother of two.
One day in August, Anna went home ill from work at Starbucks. In retaliation, her store manager - abruptly and without notice - denied her any work hours for two full weeks.
Anna needs the money she's owed to put food on the table, pay her bills, and buy Christmas presents for her children.
Call and/or text message store manager Gwendolyn Krueger today at 551-497-0127 and demand that Starbucks pay Anna what she is owed!
This action for dignity will last seven days, Dec. 5-Dec. 12
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Support Political Prisoners Every Wednesday
By Anarchist Black Cross Federation 
December 05, 2008
EVERY WEDNESDAY IN DECEMBER is Phone for Parole Day for Herman Bell and Jalil Muntaqim!
Call NY Governor David A. Paterson between 10am and 3pm Eastern Standard Time this Wednesday and every Wednesday in December
518-474-8390
Urge him to sign the amended Executive agreements which will allow NY inmates Herman Bell (#2318931) and Jalil Muntaqim (s/n Anthony Bottom/ #2311826) to return to New York State to attend their rightful parole hearings. We're calling him every Wednesday morning of '08 until he signs off on the transfer.
The transfer of SF8 defendants Herman Bell and Jalil Muntaqim from the San Francisco County Jail back to New York State for their rightful parole hearings has been blocked by both state governors for weeks and NYS now wants to deny this right for good. This comes despite previous agreements in the courtroom between the California State prosecutors, the presiding judge and, of course, the brothers and their attorneys.
Judge Philip Moscone signed an order in May allowing Herman Bell and Jalil Muntaqim to return to New York State for their parole hearings. All parties agreed at that time that the move would be temporary; Herman and Jalil waived their rights to fight extradition back to California.
In Solidarity,
THE ANARCHIST BLACK CROSS FEDERATION
ABCF.net
contact- nycabc[at]riseup[dot]net
Background:
Free the San Francisco Eight!
More on the New York 3
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Wal-Mart death preventable, union says
By CNN 
Photo from gothamist.com
December 01, 2008
From CNN
LONG ISLAND, New York (CNN) -- The death of a temporary Wal-Mart worker trampled by customers amid frantic Black Friday shopping could have been avoided, the union that represents retail workers said Saturday.
Jdimytai Damour, 34, was crushed as he and other employees attempted to unlock the doors of a Long Island, New York, store at 5 a.m. Friday, police said.
"This incident was avoidable," said Bruce Both, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500, the state of New York's largest grocery worker's union.
"Where were the safety barriers? Where was security? How did store management not see dangerous numbers of customers barreling down on the store in such an unsafe manner?
"This is not just tragic; it rises to a level of blatant irresponsibility by Wal-Mart," he said.
Wal-Mart spokesman Dave Tovar said Saturday that the company had no response to the union's comments, referring CNN to a written statement the retailer released Friday.
The statement said the store added internal security, brought in outside security, erected barricades and worked with Nassau County police in anticipation of heavy crowds.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the deceased," Wal-Mart Senior Vice President Hank Mullany said in the statement. "We are continuing to work closely with local law enforcement, and we are reaching out to those involved."
Damour's death was one of two high-profile violent incidents on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving and traditionally one of the year's busiest shopping days.
Police say two men shot each other dead in a Toys "R" Us in Palm Desert, California, after they argued in the store. The fight did not appear to be related to shopping, according to authorities.
At the Wal-Mart, police say that a line began forming at 9 p.m. Thursday and that, by 5 a.m. Friday, there were as many as 2,000 customers outside. A video showed about a dozen people knocked to the ground as the doors were opened and the crowd surged, breaking the doors.
Minutes later, police trying to give Damour first aid were jostled by customers still running into the store, authorities said.
The union is calling for an investigation "by all levels of government" to ensure justice for Damour's family and make sure that such an incident never happens at Wal-Mart again. Video Watch reaction to the incident »
"If the safety of their customers and workers was a top priority, then this never would have happened," said Patrick Purcell, a projects director for the local UFCW. "Wal-Mart must step up to the plate and ensure that all those injured, as well as the family of the deceased, be financially compensated for their injuries and their losses. Their words are weak."
The UFCW has long been a harsh critic of Wal-Mart's, arguing that the world's largest retailer offers low wages and poor health care for its workers and pushes competitors and suppliers to do the same or go out of business.
The group has had only marginal success in organizing Wal-Mart workers in the United States and Canada, citing aggressive anti-union efforts by Wal-Mart.
The UFCW has 1.3 million members working largely in the retail, food and food-processing industries.
CNN's Leslie Tripp contributed to this report.
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