A Necessary and Timely Convening—Thanks Food Chain Workers Alliance!

By Jaribu Hill, Founder/Executive Director, Mississippi Workers’ Center for Human Rights

The relationship between the Food Chain Workers Alliance and the Mississippi Workers’ Center for Human Rights (the Center) is a natural one.  We were born to stand beside the oppressed, the unemployed and the working poor.  We were born in the Mississippi Delta, which is one of the poorest regions in the country.  We were born to forge connections from the Southern region to other parts of the US and the Global South.  The June 2013 FCWA Worker Leaders Retreat offered an important opportunity for networking and learning.  Each session provided new information and reinforced the principles of collaboration and coalition-building.  Sarah White, Board President of the Center, and I attended the convening.  Through well-organized workshops, we learned about current struggles occurring inside the Food Supply Chain and related industries.

The updates on the Dignity at Darden campaign gave us details about ongoing actions, goals and future events.  These updates also allowed organizations like the Center to identify ways in which they could be supportive and proactive. Through the presentation, we learned more about the pressure points and got a more complete list of the Darden chain restaurants.

Learning more about the Restaurant Opportunities Center’s organizing strategies was extremely important.  The methods employed, which include meeting workers at their workplaces, demonstrates the need for such interventions.  This direct contact with workers who are victims of human rights abuses and unfair labor practices mirrors strategies employed by the Chinese Staff and Worker Association (check the name) folks!  Having been part of the Imperial Palace solidarity actions and other events under the leadership of my good friend, Wing Lam, I can see the influence and the connection!!!

It was soooo inspiring hearing about the organizing campaign at American University in DC led by UNITE HERE and workers in the food service industry.  This struggle provided a roadmap for both grassroots and labor actions.  The Real Food Real Jobs campaign makes important links between food production and food service work.  It demonstrates how successful campaigns are always built from the bottom up.  The campaign at American University introduced new leaders to the fight and identified those who would be in it for the long haul.  Kevin Nelson was amazing and definitely a “keeper”! The OSHA session also provided new information about how to more effectively access the Agency’s staff and resources.

As experienced grassroots campaigners, we were able to share our strategies and tactics.  We also helped the group revisit the need for the revival of the “Don’t Buy” list/campaign.  We were encouraged by the Alliance’s strong support for the Coke Boycott and its firm stance against Wal-Mart.  Announcements made by the leadership about the importance of supporting the Coke Boycott were particularly reassuring!  I even wore my “Killer Coke” t-shirt to drive the point home!!!

The level of care for us as weary travelers in this fight was greatly appreciated.  The meals, snacks and, yes, the coffee provided the sustenance needed to stay focused!

What is particularly gratifying about this work is that it is being led by young activists and organizers who are carrying on the tradition in the spirit of Dr. King, Cesar Chavez, Fannie Lou Hamer and many others.  When I see them at work, I know we are going to win!!!  I hope we will think about organizing our own “Freedom” schools to insure that these concepts and styles of work will be passed on to future generations.  Much appreciation to the Alliance for providing resources that enabled us to attend this important gathering!!!

The struggle continues.