CONTACT: Rosanna Rodríguez, 347-440-3665, [email protected]

What: Launch of labor campaign at a retail laundromat in Harlem, NY.

When: Thursday, June 28th, 5:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m.

Where: Jefferson Park, Harlem (2180 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10029)

NEW YORK, JUNE 26th – While our clean clothes tumble at high heat, laundromat workers are being hung out to dry. As a fragmented and often isolated workforce, laundromat workers face unique vulnerabilities and challenges when it comes to organizing or advocating for their rights. This Thursday, June 28th, workers at a retail laundromat are planning to go public with their labor campaign surrounded by community supporters and the Laundry Workers Center. The employees will deliver to the owner a demand letter to end wage theft and dangerous conditions in their workplace. Mr. Benitez, a laundromat worker and a leader in the community highlights the unbearable conditions at the workplace:

Laundry Workers Center partnered with the Community Development Project of the Urban Justice Center to investigate the workplace challenges faced by retail laundromat workers. Together, we developed and conducted a participatory research project, combining observations at retail laundromats with worker surveys and interviews to document these workers’ experiences in a too often overlooked industry.

6/06/2017

-Please distribute widely-

To #OPTIC2017 attendees and the larger community of photographers, videographers, musicians, and industry partners:

As a purchaser of photo/video/audio equipment or computers, you have a real chance to make a difference in the fight for respect and safety at B&H Photo.

Right now, B&H is putting on the #OPTIC2017 photo conference. It’s an important opportunity for concerned customers and community members to engage with the company.

-The story so far-
B&H Photo is known for its customer service, but behind the scenes, the picture is very different. B&H warehouse workers faced horrific safety conditions over many years—until workers stood up for themselves and their families. They organized for respect and safety on the job for over a year, winning real improvements and even their own union.

As you may know, B&H Photo is now trying to move these workers’ jobs–over 330 jobs–75 miles away to New Jersey. We believe B&H Photo is running away from the very workers who fought to make B&H safe, and trying to bust their union.

-Good news-
B&H workers’ campaign to keep these jobs in New York is gaining traction. And with the growing support from the community of photographers, videographers, artists, academics, stagehands, musicians and thousands more like yourself, workers have a real shot at winning!

-Take action-
Whether you spend $10 or $10,000 a year, on photo/video/audio equipment or computers, you have an important platform to support workers fighting for respect and safety on the job.

Yesterday, over 200 workers from B&H Photo Video’s warehouses went on a day-long strike, in conjunction with “Un Día Sin Inmigrantes” strikes happening around the country. And now they are asking for your support.

Standing with hundreds of supporters outside B&Hs retail store, B&H worker Francisco Pimental spoke:

“We are here today to let B&H know that we, the workers, have the power. We will not allow B&H to leave over 300 workers without a job.”

The company is trying to close its Brooklyn warehouses and move those jobs 75 miles to New Jersey—which we see as an attempt to stop the grassroots worker organizing that has resulted in real improvements at B&H.

Workers took enormous risks yesterday to go on strike and speak out against B&H’s union-busting tactics.

Will you stand with them today and amplify their call for respect and dignity?

Press contact: Rosanna Rodríguez, co-director Laundry Workers Center

New York, NY—Over 200 workers from B&H Photo Video’s Brooklyn and Manhattan warehouses have gone on a day-long strike, in conjunction with “un día sin inmigrantes” strikes happening around the country.

Hundreds of workers and supporters picketed outside B&H Photo’s retail store in Manhattan this morning. A delegation of workers and community members delivered a letter to B&H management, demanding that the company “respect and acknowledge that WE, 300+ B&H warehouse workers and our wives and children, who have been without us, dedicated our lives to building up your operations… for decades.”

B&H Photo workers reportedly worked under extremely dangerous conditions in the warehouses. They decided to fight back, trained with Laundry Workers Center for over a year, and in 2015 voted overwhelmingly to form a union.

This year, B&H announced plans to close its Brooklyn warehouses and move almost 330 jobs 75 miles away to New Jersey, making it nearly impossible to for the predominantly Latino workforce to keep their jobs.

“We are here today to let B&H know that we, the workers, have the power. We will not allow B&H to leave over 300 workers without a job,” said warehouse worker Francisco Pimental.

“We see this an attempt to bust their union and stop the grassroots worker organizing that has resulted in concrete improvements at B&H”, said Rosanna Rodríguez, co-director of Laundry Workers Center.

B&H workers also saw the strike as part of a larger struggle against injustice, as hundreds of thousands of immigrant workers participate in a general strike, or “Day Without An Immigrant”, on May 1.

In an earlier statement, warehouse worker Rigoberto Gallos wrote, “Our communities have come together to stand against the Muslim ban, against ICE, against the violence on communities of color and the working class, that has been going on for a very long time.”

“This is a call to keep fighting for dignity and justice. Today, we are in solidarity with all workers around the world.” said Rosanna Rodríguez, co-director of Laundry Workers Center.

Workers vowed to keep up the struggle. “We are striking for dignity and respect, and we will fight to the end,” said warehouse worker Jorge Lora.

CONTACT: Laundry Workers Center: [email protected]

WHO: B&H Photo warehouse workers, Laundry Workers Center, and community/labor groups including Immigrant Worker Justice, Jews for Racial and Economic Justice, New York Work Center Federation, Food Chain Workers Alliance, and Democratic Socialists of America NYC.

WHAT: On May 1, “Un día sin inmigrantes”, hundreds of B&H Photo workers will go on strike, fighting B&H Photo’s union-busting attempt to move 330 union jobs to New Jersey. Gathering outside B&H’s retail store, B&H workers will be joined by allies from the community and workers’ movement. #May1Strike

WHEN: 9:30am on Monday, May 1, 2016

WHERE: In front of B&H Photo retail store: 34th Street and 9th Avenue in Manhattan.

WHY: B&H Photo workers faced unconscionable and unsafe working conditions in Brooklyn and Manhattan warehouses. They organized for over a year, fought and won a union against overwhelming odds. Now B&H Photo threatens to move 330 union jobs 75 miles away to New Jersey. We believe this is an attempt to bust the union, and stop the grassroots worker organizing that has resulted in concrete improvements at B&H Photo.

B&H Photo workers are striking in solidarity with hundreds of thousands withholding their labor around the country, fighting for a world where the most marginalized working families live with dignity, safety, and power. #May1Strike

Great news–on the last day of the NYS legislative session the Justice for JobSeekers bill passed the Senate 44-17 and the Assembly 109-15! Once signed by Governor Cuomo, it will provide fair and meaningful protections to low wage immigrant workers as they look for work throughout the state of New York.

Photo by Robert Pluma

My name is Maurilio Basurto Ortega. I was born in Guerrero, Mexico – I came to this country to work and support my family. I came about nine years ago. I’ve worked at B&H for almost 9 years. I identify as a worker and a fighter because I am always fighting to live and working hard to get my family ahead. I am 23 years old.

I worked as a packer for the merchandize on the conveyor belt. I packed different kinds of products: cameras, printers, televisions and speakers.

I worked inside the warehouse 6 days a week, Mostly 10 – 12 hours a day. On April 19th, 2016 I get fired because the company said that I moved a box that was later found broken.

But in reality, I know that they fired me because we won a union election.

After the community fight back I get back to work again at B&H. The most important for my co-workers and me is have a better workplace, win a contract and stop the abuses and the discrimination.

My name is Ricardo Ramirez. I was born in Guerrero, Mexico. I came to this country 32 years ago. I’ve worked at B&H for almost 9 months.

I identify myself as a fighter and hard working man that support my family. I worked in the receiving department at B&H Photo and Video Warehouse. I worked around 12-14 hours per day before we organized. I was fired on May 6th because I was on medical leave after I got an injury inside the workplace. But the reality, I know the fired me because I was part of the organizing process and the company is looking for an excuse fire all my co-workers.

With the support of the community the company restarted the workers’ compensation.

When we organize, we win! After leading a two year fight against wage theft, sexual harassment, and unsafe working conditions, Liberato Restaurant workers have officially won, reaching a settlement and making positive change in the workplace! On Monday they received their first settlement checks.

Read further about the amazing victory here.