Your Faith WORKS Newsletter of Interfaith Worker Justice Summer 2015 Praying for Walmart Workers hank you for continuing to agers and executives have the capac- stand by, and with, Walmart ity for compassion, and we pray (and Tworkers who are courageously push) they experience a conversion fighting for their right to a living of heart. wage and to be treated with respect Your prayers (and support) are and dignity at work. needed now more than ever. On In early June, hundreds of indi- April 13, Walmart suddenly shut viduals shared prayers of support, down five stores in Texas, California, hope and encouragement as Walmart Florida and Oklahoma – leaving workers and their allies travelled to 2,200 workers shocked and unem- Bentonville, Ark. for the company’s ployed. On April 20, employees from annual shareholder meeting. the Pico Rivera, Calif. store filed a The presence of OUR Walmart complaint with the National Labor leaders in Bentonville blanketed the Relations Board charging “Walmart’s massive gathering of Walmart execu- action was intended to target the tives and shareholders with a spirit of Pico Rivera store, which has been the accountability and responsibility to focal point of activity by Associates those on whose backs the company’s for better working conditions.” profits are built. We won’t let big corporations Earlier this year, OUR Walmart bully workers who are leading the Thank you for sending your prayers… leaders successfully pushed Walmart fight for respect and dignity at work. • May we all learn to share so that all have enough. to begin addressing its immorally low The struggle continues until these • Thank you, compassionate God, for the courage and vision of the Walmart pay and bump workers wages up – a workers are reinstated and their cries workers and may their integrity touch the hearts of the shareholders. small bit. Without guarantee of hours for justice are heard. • May God open the hearts of the Walton Family to see that they, and all of though, the proposed increase falls As corporate executives and us, are called to build a just world here and now. May all Walmart workers short of what workers need to pro- wealthy shareholders celebrate the feel supported in their struggle for justice. vide decent lives for themselves and “successes” this past year, let us pray • My sincerest thoughts and prayers go out to all Walmart workers and their their families. They deserve pay that for – and act with – courage as we families. We are all an American family and when one of our family mem- honors their human dignity: $15 an stand with the thousands of Walmart bers suffers, we all suffer. Keep the faith. hour and full-time, consistent hours. workers who are on the front lines of • May the shareholders and the Board of Directors of Walmart remember We truly believe Walmart man- the struggle for dignity and respect. that whatever they do to workers, they do to God. Labor Day Reflections on Work, Dignity and Human Life By Bishop Howard Hubbard Because work is so essential working men and women. Millions Behind every statistic and chart for the well being of the individual, of workers are struggling to make that seeks to define the problem lie s we approach our national the family and society, the dignity ends meet and formerly middle class individual tragedies and families try- observance of Labor Day, it is of work must be protected and the folks are now feeding their families ing to cope with unemployment and Awell to remember the impor- basic rights of workers are to be with food stamps. Income inequality poverty. Hence, our present crisis is tance of work in our lives. Faith tells respected: the right to productive has grown significantly in the last 30 a moral as well as an economic one us that work is more than a way to work, to a decent and fair wage, to years, which has led researchers to and must be addressed as such. May make a living; it is a form of contem- safe working conditions, to organize conclude that the United States is the Labor Day prompt us to do so. porary participation in God’s plan of and join unions, to private property most economically unequal country salvation and of being co-creators and to economic initiative. in the advanced world. There is also The Most Rev. Howard Hubbard is with God in bringing the world to its Labor Day 2015 shows some the problem of wage theft. the retired bishop of the Catholic fulfillment. It is a means of growing, gains throughout the last few years: Unfortunately, far too often, the Diocese of Albany. He currently sharing and enhancing one’s own more states or cities have raised the debate over economic policy tends serves on the board of Interfaith life and that of one’s family and the minimum wage and passed laws to neglect the human, social and Worker Justice and co-chairs the NY wider community. granting workers paid sick time. moral dimensions of economic life, State Labor Religion Coalition. However, the situation contin- and that is why the formulation and Interfaith ues to remain dire for far too many implementation of solutions to our This Labor Day let us lift up the economic woes cannot be left solely dignity and intrinsic value of to the technicians, special interest working people by bearing witness /interfaithworkerjustice groups and market forces. For what to the struggle for a living wage and is at stake is not really economic for dignity and respect on the job. Worker Justice Take part in this year’s Worker in @iwjnational theories or political programs, but 1020 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., 4th Fl. human life. the Pulpits. To learn how, visit www. Chicago, IL 60660 iwj.org or email [email protected]. (773) 728-8400 • www.iwj.org /iwjnational IWJ Board President: The Rev. Dr. Paul Sherry The Pope and Human Dignity Vice-President: Bishop Howard Hubbard* The dignity of the By Adam DeRose people everyday. When Board Development Chair: Ms. Kathy Saile human person Communications Chair: Mr. Naeem Baig n September, Pope Francis is set to the Pope calls out the sins of Capitalism, he and the common Finance Chair: Mr. John Howard Ivisit the U.S. to address Congress good rank higher Fundraising Chair: Mr. Jules Bernstein and the United Nations ahead of the does so in an effort Organizing Chair: The Rev. Troy Jackson World Meeting of Families in Phila- to challenge a system than the comfort Dr. Charles Amjad-Ali delphia. At IWJ, we’re thrilled the that creates dispar- of those who refuse Mr. Patrick Carolan Pope is coming, and we think it’s an ity between the rich to renounce their and the poor, and by Rabbi Laurie Coskey important time to amplify his repeat- privileges. When these Mr. Phil Cubeta consequence creates a ed calls to honor human dignity… values are threatened, a Fr. Anthony Cutcher for all of God’s children. “throw-away culture.” The Rev. Dr. Lillian Daniel Pope Francis’ unabashed regard He reminds us that prophetic voice must be raised. Imam Taha Hassane when we advocate – Pope Francis

for human dignity and unapologetic Haring CNS photo/Paul The Rev. John Franklin Hay against austerity or Mr. John Hill disdain for the forces that hinder our fight for a living wage, we’re taking Adam is IWJ’s online organizer. During Rabbi Jill Jacobs ability to thrive on God’s good Earth the last three (-plus!) years, he has Ms. Colleen Kilbride down the barriers to a quality of life have been a breath of fresh air and worked tirelessly to motivate and engage Mr. Jeff Korgen that gives dignity and hope to all. a welcome recalibration of our soci- people in the work, through his posts The Rev. Dr. Ken Brooker Langston As we look forward to the Papal ety’s moral compass. and writings on the IWJ website, Twitter, Ms. Susan Leslie visit, I invite you to continue lifting The Pope’s love for humanity is Facebook and other online platforms. The Rev. Michael Livingston especially apparent in all his declara- up the dignity inherent in all people In July, Adam will move on to pursue Dr. Joseph A. McCartin and take special care to advocate for graduate studies at Arizona State Mr. Ralph McCloud tions relating to economic inequality economic and worker policies that University. We are grateful for all that The Rev. Doug Mork and the challenges facing working allow us all to live well. he’s done for IWJ and the movement. Mr. David H. Moskowitz Mr. Todd O’Malley Mr. Marcos Lucio Popovich A Field of Hope The Rev. Frank Raines III The Hand that Feeds: Ms. Edith Rasell Mr. Fred Redmond Real to Reel Victory and Courage Rabbi Elizabeth Richman e are really excited to partner with Jubilee Films – the production ur friends at the Labor-Religion Mr. Corey Saylor company behind the critically acclaimed documentary, The Hand Coalition of New York State, The Rev. Jim Sessions W O Ms. Marilyn Sneiderman That Feeds. The film follows the courageous – and victorious – efforts of shy who have been at the center of the The Rev. Bill Somplatsky-Jarman sandwich-maker Mahoma López to organize his coworkers to fight abusive effort to raise the minimum wage in Dr. Jerry Taylor conditions at a popular New York New York, recently got huge news! The Rev. David Wildman restaurant chain. Governor Andrew Cuomo appointed Risking deportation and the loss a Wage Board that agreed fast food Special Advisors of their livelihood, Mahoma and his workers in New York needed and Bishop Jesse DeWitt* The Rev. Jim Lawson coworkers team up with a diverse deserved a raise to $15 an hour. The Rev. Joseph Echols Lowery crew of innovative young organizers During the last few months, the Rabbi Robert Marx* and take the unusual step of form- Labor-Religion Coalition brought * Former Board President ing their own independent union, clergy and people of faith to hear-

launching themselves on a jour- ings, helped local faith leaders write IWJ Staff ney that will test the limits of their and send letters to local editors and Sarah Avery resolve. Through a special program organized an online petition. For Janel Bailey supported by the Ford Foundation, updates about this important effort, Kim Bobo IWJ affiliates can obtain public be sure to follow the Labor-Religion Sung Yeon Choi-Morrow screening licenses of the film. Coalition of New York State on social Adam DeRose Please check www.iwj.org or media! Cathy Junia www.Thehandthatfeeds.com for And more good news from Angie Lobo Iowa… After a two-year campaign Rudy López screening schedules in your area. led by worker-members of the Cen- Julian Medrano If you are interested in hosting IWJ Executive Director Rudy López and Marién Casillas Pabellón a public screening, please contact Hand that Feeds Director Rachel Lears at ter for Worker Justice of Eastern Thomas Shellabarger Cathy Junia at [email protected]. a recent Chicago screening of the film. Iowa, lawmakers passed a county- Mayumi Swanson wide ordinance for a county-issued Jana Winch government identification card (a Allison Zidek IWJ Interns: Where are they now? community ID) for all residents For detailed Board and Staff information regardless of immigration status. visit: www.iwj.org/about/board or ith the support of IWJ allies, post as Program Director at the Epis- Without such IDs, thousands of resi- www.iwj.org/about/staff Wdonors and partners, we’re copal Mission Center. The Episcopal dents often face obstacles cashing excited to welcome another group Mission Center is an urban retreat paychecks, using debit cards, renting Faith Works is produced by IWJ’s of summer interns at our national and Episcopal social justice center Communications Department. For ques- an apartment, purchasing medica- office and with IWJ affiliates across in Philadelphia. Sarah hopes her tion. The new ordinance is the first tions, corrections and story suggestions con- the country. work will help transform the lives of tact Communications Director, Cathy Junia, of its kind in the Midwest. For more than 15 years, IWJ has people of faith through cultivating at [email protected] or call 773-728-8400 x40. Every time we welcome a new been blessed with the opportunity to authentic relationships and learning affiliate, we get excited about the Stay Updated – Scan the code below or be part of the formation and devel- about important social justice issues. sign up here http://bit.ly/iwjupdates opportunity to celebrate more wins opment of some of the most inspir- Sarah is also a candidate for for working people. Don Bosco ing and dedicated leaders in our Holy Orders in the Episcopal Dio- Worker Center is a very strong communities. cese of Pennsylvania and will be and dynamic organization in Port It gives all of us great joy to ordained this summer. Did you go Chester, NY, that applies Catholic see and hear about all the great through IWJ’s Seminary Summer or Social Teaching to uplift the dignity work our summer program alumni Summer Internship program? We’d of workers. Don Bosco joined IWJ’s are engaged in. A few weeks ago, love to know what you’re up to now worker center network in May. We for instance, we came across an and how the summer program helped look forward to sharing their victo- announcement about Summer 2011 shape your vocation. Please e-mail ries in the future! alum, Sarah Hedgis, and her new [email protected] to share your story. K F W Q L F X W H L H V B K Y H O I X L J N V N R Finding Justice C T V S F Z U I C H I W S K M B K T K O B H L N G W N F V N S H P H I C M B W D R X M A C M O O H R CHANGE LIVING WAGE SOLIDARITY DIGNITY ORGANIZE STRIKE U Y L P A K O U Y E A T O G G H M B C Y B R N B Y FAITH RESPECT WORKER K F X R J B L A Q M T U R S N I K W C T O E W D L FIFTEEN SAFETY JUSTICE W O R K E R H T R T S L Y H O I X X P E K S K P B K O Z P C T S P Q R R D D A G L V G W F I P O E S Be among the first 10 people to find E G S F Q L S W V I R J V K P O Y I Q A D E F I M all 12 words and win a prize! F J K G J S R W U F E Q T I U Z T D L S E C Q U B Take a photo of your completed puzzle and V A O N S I A T L G J N V F E G I M E V U T N F M email to [email protected]. W U I L C L Z E Z T I L I H F T R D C E V J M H A Answers and winners will be posted in the next Faith Works. G Q R T R B W C Y W Z G L W R R A F W M L S C H T U C U F H W T E M H J F J B Y E D P I G C T E S E Answers to puzzle in last issue H J W U R Y Z D I G N I T Y J N I E R F S B A T R Across Down S N Z Z D I P F J E J O S U B Y L D D S T P X Y E 2. Mary Kenny OSullivan 1. Workers Memorial Day U Z D Q N T C W K L E Q S I G K O F E N K E Y R X 4. Bill Clinton 3. A Philip Randolph S S M A G K O P O C W T S F E V S L N F B Y E N R 11. New York City 5. Catholic Worker L R G Z X J O Q G E I Z E G N A H C F Q P X R N O 12. Seattle 6. New York Daily Sentinel 13. Methodist 7. Amnesty Day B R F A D W J S K C Q S V P M A O V W U X J V K U 14. Martin Luther 8. John Lewis O L M B E K P I E B N U I K W R G C U H O Z Y T S King Jr 9. Sanitation J Q F Z U S R W D U V T Z P I J Y U A W Y E Y H F 15. Theodore 10. William Haywood A R J P O T J A X O E F O F K E S P W B N J O L H Roosevelt 11. New Jersey L H K G S J O G B I H L N J U C H M S X J R A Q I Winner of last issue’s puzzle is S L D Z J R V E U T Q B C W D A C S N P O D B T D Br. Anthony Zuba, Boston, MA! N V A V E V G Q L G Q O P D Z T N C F A C M D N F

Living Wage Certification: It’s a GO in Durango! aureen Maliszewski is an active “Master Plan” that recommended liv- employer recognition program Mmember of the Unitarian Uni- ing wages for workers. in November 2014. versalists Fellowship of Durango, Maureen, her UU colleagues The coalition, working with Colo. and the former chair of the and other community activists the Region 9 Economic Devel- Social Justice Committee. She, formed Thrive! in 2013, a coalition opment District, calculated the the Social Justice Committee, and of citizens in La Plata County, Colo- 2014 rate, which goes until July other community activists recently rado who care about the long-term 1, 2015 as $12.40 per hour. As launched a Living Wage Certification economic health and social well- of April, 2015, 39 businesses program. being of our community. Thrive!’s had been certified as paying In November of 2012, Dr. Ron mission is to enhance the quality of living wages and two more were Center, spoke about the certifica- Garst, a fellow congregational mem- life in La Plata County through fair “Aspiring Living Wage Employers,” tion program and how paying living ber, gave a Sunday service presenta- and just wages for all. meaning that they want to pay living wages helped Ben & Jerry’s succeed. tion on growing economic inequality Long-term, the group is inter- wages and pledge to move toward Visit www.thriveplata.org to in the U.S, an issue on which he’d ested in doing away with the state living wages during the next year. learn more about the program. To taught, written and lectured for preemption, but it also wanted to On April 15, 2015, Jeff Furman, start a program in your community, decades. In their desire to address do something to make a difference one of the founders of Ben and Jer- contact Janel Bailey ([email protected]) the issue, the Committee did some now. It decided to create a living ry’s ice cream and a strong supporter and download a free Living Wage research and discovered that in 2008 wage certification program, which it of the Living Wage Certification pro- Certification Toolkit at http://bit.ly/ La Plata County, the county in which calls an “Employer Recognition Pro- gram in Ithaca, N.Y. led by the IWJ- livingwagecert). Durango is located, had created a gram.” Thrive! officially launched its affiliated Tompkins County Workers

She Walked the Walk Please consider In March, the social justice movement lost a trailblazer and stalwart with the passing of political scientist and social activist, making a generous Jean V. Hardisty (69). Along with many others, we mourned the loss of a wise and generous friend and ally. contribution to In her lifetime, Jean wrote numerous papers and gave count- less of talks on the American right wing. She founded the Politi- IWJ. Mail in your cal Research Associates (PRA) – formerly Midwest Research – a social justice, right-wing watch group, in 1981 in Chicago. gift using the Under her leadership, PRA became one of the foremost critical voices pushing back against systems of oppression and poverty. enclosed envelope Throughout her life, Jean was known to walk the walk and invest in organizations steeped in the struggle for political justice or donate online and human rights. We will forever be grateful for Jean’s wisdom and generos- at www.iwj.org. ity, and we are committed to honoring her legacy through our work. For more about Jean, visit http://www.jeanhardisty.com/ 1020 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. Chicago, IL 60660 (773) 728-8400 Many blessings to www.iwj.org our friends who are observing Ramadan

rom the depth of need and Many blessings to our friends F despair, people who are observing Ramadan can work , can together Welcome to the IWJ Family! Visit iwj.org organize to get to know As the late Bishop H.E. Luccock of the Episcopal Methodist Church once said: other inspiring “No one can whistle a symphony. It takes an orchestra to play it.” We know we themselves to solve members of can’t do this important work on our own, and are grateful to every person who chooses to share his or her gifts and talents to help further the mission of IWJ. the IWJ board. their problems We’re especially thrilled to welcome these stellar additions to the IWJ Board: own and fill their own needs with and dignity Patrick Carolan, The Rev. Michael David Moskowitz, Marcos Lucio Marilyn Sneiderman, Executive Direc- Livingston, Execu- Workers Compen- Popovich, Professor and Director tor – Franciscan tive Minister – The sation Attorney, Program Fellow – of Center for Innovation . Action Network Riverside Church Morgan & Morgan Barr Foundation in Worker Organization strength – Rutgers University – Cesar Chavez

Interfaith Worker Justice of East Tennessee – Damayan Migrant Workers Center – IWJ Affiliate Network Knoxville, TN New York, NY O.U.R. Vanderbilt – Nashville, TN For detailed contact information, please visit www.iwj.org. Restaurant Opportunity Center (ROC) of Interfaith Coalition for Worker Justice of South New York – New York, NY Interfaith Groups Interfaith Worker Justice—NOLA – Central Wisconsin – Madison, WI Worker Justice Project – Brooklyn, NY New Orleans, LA Tompkins County Workers’ Center – Arkansas Interfaith Committee for Worker Interfaith Worker Justice Southern Maine – Worker Centers Ithaca, NY Justice – Little Rock, AR Portland, ME Winning our Wages Worker Center – Don Bosco Workers, Inc. – Rochester, NY Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice IWJ of Maryland – Baltimore, MD Birmingham, AL Workers’ Center of Central New York – (CLUE)—California – Los Angeles, CA Massachusetts Interfaith Committee for Arizona Worker Rights Center – Phoenix, AZ Syracuse, NY CLUE—LA – Los Angeles, CA Worker Justice – Boston, MA Southside Workers Center – Tucson, AZ Western North Carolina Workers’ Center – East Bay Faith Alliance for a Moral Economy Interfaith Worker Justice—New Mexico – Northwest Arkansas Workers’ Justice Center Marion, NC – Oakland, CA Santa Fe, NM – Springdale, AR Cincinnati Interfaith Workers Center – Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice in Greater New York Labor-Religion Coalition – Pilipino Workers Center – Los Angeles, CA Cincinnati, OH San Diego – San Diego, CA New York, NY Young Workers United – San Francisco, CA Workers’ Interfaith Network – Memphis, TN Interfaith Council on Economics and Justice Labor-Religion Coalition – Latham, NY South Florida Interfaith Worker Justice* – Workers’ Dignity Project – Nashville, TN – San Jose, CA Greater Binghamton Labor-Religion Coali- Miami, FL Workers’ Defense Project/Proyecta Defensa IWJ-Colorado/FRESC for Good Jobs and tion – Vestal, NY Economic Justice Coalition – Athens, GA Laboral – Austin, TX Strong Communities – Denver, CO Beloved Community Center – Greensboro, NC Workers Center for Racial Justice – Chicago, IL Fe Y Justicia Worker Center (formerly Houston Connecticut Center for a New Economy - Cincinnati Interfaith Committee on Worker Center for Worker Justice of Eastern Iowa – Interfaith Worker Justice Center) – Houston, TX New Haven – New Haven, CT Justice – Cincinnati, OH Iowa City, IA Community to Community Development – Connecticut Center for a New Economy - Greater Columbus Jobs with Justice – Food AND Medicine/Eastern Maine Worker Bellingham, WA Hartford – Hartford, CT Columbus, OH Center – Brewer, ME Madison Workers’ Rights Center – D.C. Jobs with Justice—Interfaith Worker Jus- Central Oklahoma Community Forum – Southern Maine Workers’ Center – Madison, WI tice of Greater Washington – Washington, DC Oklahoma City, OK Portland, ME Voces de la Frontera – Milwaukee, WI Interfaith Action of Southwest Florida – Religious Outreach Committee/Portland Jobs MassCOSH – Dorchester, MA Immokalee, FL with Justice – Portland, OR The Micah Center* – Grand Rapids, MI DuPage Interfaith Worker Justice – Springfield Solidarity Network/Jobs with Jus- Centro de Trabajadores Unidoes en la Lucha Naperville, IL Support the work of IWJ! tice – Eugene, OR – Minneapolis, MN Community, Faith and Labor Coalition – Labor-Religion Coalition of Western Penn- Greater Minnesota Worker Center – St. Indianapolis, IN Donate at sylvania – Pittsburgh, PA Cloud, MN Interfaith Worker Justice of Kansas – Philadelphia Area Jobs with Justice – New Labor – New Brunswick, NJ http://bit.ly/donate2iwj Wichita, KS Philadelphia, PA * Both an Interfaith Group and Worker Center