End Wage Theft

Chants in Spanish and English filled the street outside the Bakery el Quiche in Providence Thursday afternoon as former employees and labor allies called on the owner of the bakery, Byron Juarez, to be held accountable.  His workers report that for many years he has paid them less than minimum wage and that they have been required to work 70-90 hours a week, 7 days a week, with no overtime pay.  They also report that they were not allowed to have a break during their long hours as mandated by Rhode Island law.  The crowd dmenaded that Mr. Juarez immediately pay his workers their full hours plus overtime and apologize to them for taking advantage of them.  They also want him to sign a Code of Conduct that commits him to comply with all labor laws from now on.

As people passed by and took flyers, many commented that wage theft is common for many workers (both documented and undocumented) and that they were so glad to see someone finally being held accountable.

The protests will continue today.  The state Department of Labor has also begun an investigation.

The event was organized by Fuerza Laboral.  They can be reached at 401-725-2700.

A Peace Float in a Militaristic Parade

Photo courtesy of Judy Byrnes
There were formations of military marching in crisp uniforms even in the heat, the military bands, the folks dressed in Revolutionary War era costumes with their guns, the two floats commemorating September 11th, and the military heroes float from Raytheon.  Then, tagging along near the end was the East Bay Citizens for Peace/AFSC peace float.  The globe that was to go in the middle of it had collapsed (apt symbolism), but the signs on the sides and the songs sung by those on the float got the message across (Peace is Patriotic and War is not the path to Peace).  We sang Down by the Riverside, This Land is Your Land (all the verses, including the one about the lines outside the relief office), Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream, and Give Peace A Chance.

As we rolled into view and gazes shifted our direction there would be a blank look for a moment as our message was taken in, then often a smile, sometimes a look of pleased disbelief followed by a loud "All right!" with a thumbs up or clapping.  I saw more than one child turn to ask an adult what it meant, which made me sad, but at least the question got asked.  Unfortunately more than one child turned his toy gun on us - and there was an abundance of toy guns (and not the pop guns of my childhood but fake automatic weapons!). Sometimes a whole section would erupt into cheers.  Veterans solemnly shook their heads and nodded approvingly.  Lots of folks sang along.  Some laughed at us, shaking their heads that would could be so naive, but I didn't hear a single loud boo, which surprised me.  Many openly welcomed the change of message. 

It was HOT.  The float was a lot of work (thank you, Kevin, for pulling it all together!). And it was just what the parade needed.