Labor Day Rally with the Fight for $15

Ready to celebrate Labor Day right, with a rally for a higher minimum wage and union rights for all?

Monday, September 4th 2017, from 12-1:30pm, at the Plaza at Main Street Station (1500 East Main Street, Richmond VA), the Fight for $15 is celebrating Labor Day with a rally for union rights for all workers!

Family friendly, transportation available. Call Emily at (504) 502 2737 for more information.

2017 Virginia General Assembly: Bills Involving Labor

Note: Bills can still be filed until January 20th, so new items may be added. To see my master list of 2017 legislative topics, click here.

The letters before a bill’s number designate its chamber of origin. HB= House Bill, SB= Senate Bill, HR= House Resolution, etc.

Bills to support:

SB 785 raises the minimum wage to $8/hr by July 2017, and to $11.25/hr by 2020. SB 978 raises the minimum wage to $10/hr by July 2017, and to $15/hr by 2019. HB 1444 would increase the minimum wage to $10/hr by July 2017, and to $15/hr by 2021. $15/hr is a living wage for much of Virginia; to find the living wage for your city, you can use this Living Wage Calculator from MIT.

SB 783: Prohibits discrimination for public employment, in matters of sexual orientation or gender identity.

SB 824: Requires employers to provide paid sick leave to full-time employees, starting in 2018, with sick leave hours accruing at a rate of no less than 1 per 50 hours worked. Also establishes civil penalties for employers who break the law.

Bills to oppose: 

HB 1394: An anti-labor bill which establishes that employees which work for a franchised store are not the employees of the franchisor. This bill is intended to contravene the National Labor Relations Board's 2015 ruling which found that franchisors are liable for the labor law violations of their franchisees, because they have indirect control over hiring decisions and work standards as “joint employers.” This ruling makes it easier for unions to bargain collectively and for groups of workers to name franchisors in lawsuits.

HB 1596: Bans the state from requiring its contractors to pay a prevailing wage– IE, prevents the state from declining to contract with a firm because it pays only minimum wage.

The Fight for $15 Day of Disruption is Today!

Fight for $15 November 29th National Day of Disruption: Richmond, VA

Tuesday, November 29th 2016, the Fight for $15 is holding a day of disruption for a $15  minimum wage and union rights. Protests, strikes, and other actions will be taking place across the country in over 340 cities. From the organizers: 

"We are the 64 million hardworking Americans that make far too little to live. We reject the politics of divisiveness that tear America apart by race, religion, ethnicity, and gender. We say unequivocally – any efforts to block wage increases, gut workers' rights, deport immigrants, or support racism or racist policies will be met with unrelenting opposition."

In Richmond, Virginia, the events will begin at 6am with a rally at the West Broad McDonald's (2700 West Broad Street, Richmond VA), followed by a noon panel and barbecue at Greater Mt. Moriah Baptist Church (904 North 1st Street, Richmond VA), and wrapping up with a rally and march leaving from that location at 5pm. To find an event in your city, click here. 

For more info and to RSVP, see this link. To add this event to your Google calendar, see this link. 

Raise Up! Fight for $15 Community Dinner

Tomorrow, Wednesday November 9th 2016, from 6:30-8pm, at 904 North 1st Street, Richmond VA, Raise Up! The Fight for $15 is holding a community dinner. From the event description:

“Do you believe in raising the minimum wage and fighting for justice for our communities? We are making real change and getting more money for our families!”

Free, open to the public. Food and childcare provided. For more information and to RSVP, see the Facebook event page here. 

Virginia Raise Up For $15 Community Meeting

Tuesday, October 11th 2016, from 6:30-8pm, at 904 North 1st Street, Richmond VA, Raise Up! VA is holding a community discussion and planning meeting to discuss the work of the past few months, hear from community organizations about their work, and plan for the remainder of the year. From the event description: 

“There’s ongoing work around the Fight for 15 agenda that includes $15 and union rights for all workers, homecare and childcare for all, fighting racism, and justice for immigrants during the election season, and more actions and a major strike planned later this fall. We hope you’re able to join us to discuss all this and more about how to build our collective struggles and continue our march forward for justice!" 

For more information and to RSVP, see the link.