Weekly Justice Highlights

Farm Worker Rights: Workers at Ace Tomato are tired of dirty bathrooms, lack of fresh water and decades of low pay.  Since 1989, the workers have been waiting for their contract and the Agricultural Labor Relations Board (ALRB) who is suppose to protect workers has done nothing but shuffle paperwork.  After two decades, Ace Tomato workers are so close to getting their contract.  Urge the ALRB to immediately get a court order telling the company to comply with the law without delay.  

In the spirit of St. Vincent:  Urge U.S. Senators and Representative to Support Policies that Help (Scroll down and edit).

Challenging unjust Structures:  Urge General Motors leadershipand policymakers to do what is right to workers disabled on the job who were fired due to the inability to work and are now without any medical benefits or severance package.  You may remember GM was one of the companies bailed out by the U.S. government with U.S. taxpayer dollars.   This is funding human rights abuses with taxpayer money. 

Genetically Engineered Sweet Corn: Help spread the word about Walmart’s sale of GE sweet corn urging friends and family not to buy the product.   

As a part of the rally to Stop the Frack Attack, Dustin Steele was brutally beaten by police while in custody in West Virginia in an effort with other protestors to shut down the largest mountaintop removal coal mine in the state.  Urge U.S. AttorneyBooth Goodwin to launch and investigation into police misconduct and ensure fair treatment for the protesters.

KY Residents:  A smoke-free van recently made various stops around the state promoting a smoke-free Kentucky.  In an effort to keep the momentum going, KY citizens are invited to contact their state legislators at 1.800.372.7181 urging them to support a comprehensive smoke-free law to make all indoor workplaces and public places smoke-free.  Second hand smoke does save lives.   

Congress is in recess until September 10. Many members of Congress will be campaigning for re-election during this time.  Before adjourning, there was a tentative agreement among leaders of the House and Senate on a bill to fund the first six months of fiscal year 2013. Votes are expected when Congress returns in September, even though many question the wisdom of funding the government for only half the year. Congress is expected to put off other critical votes on budget issues until after the November election.

The Republican convention is August 27-30.   The Democratic convention is September 4-6.

Presidential Debates
October 3, 2012 in Denver, CO                      Topic: Domestic Policy
October 16, 2012 in Hempstead, NY             Town Hall Style 
October 22, 2012 in Boca Raton, FL             Topic: Foreign Policy

October 11, 2012 in Danville, KY                  Vice-Presidential Debate