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Catholic-Labor Network Lunch Sunday, February 22, 2004 The Catholic-Labor Network held its annual lunch in connection with the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering. C-L Network wishes to express special thanks to Tom Shellabarger, and the USCCB Social Development Office for coordinating and scheduling the event. The lunch began at noon, with approximately 30 folks participating. It kicked off with a viewing of the National Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice’s video on low wage workers. Tom Shellabarger then welcomed all those present, and then introduced Kristi Sanford of the National Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice. Kristi gave a quick overview of the activities of the NICWJ, and then touched on the two campaigns that they are working on. The first was supporting a teamster organizing campaign at USF-Dugan, a trucking firm. It is also focusing on the long and difficult organizing drive by UNITE at Cintas. Cintas controls 30% of the work mat and uniform services in this country. Following Kristi, Fr. Sinclair Oubre gave a brief summary of what the Catholic-Labor Network. He was able to announce that C-L Network has its first chapter in Washington, D.C. Special thanks was expressed to Clayton Sinyai and Mackenzie Baris for their work in establishing this first chapter. He expressed his appreciation to all those who have come, and he hoped that the C-L Network will be able to be a place where those who are committed to their Catholic faith, committed to the Catholic social justice teaching as it applies to  workers, and committed to the labor movement. Fr. Sinclair then led the group in the blessing of the food. After lunch, Tom Shellabarger introduced the main speaker for the lunch, Stewart Acuff. Stewart is the director of Field Organizing of the AFL-CIO. In his remarks, he gave an overview of the difficulties workers face in organizing. He also pointed out that Human Rights Watch had issued a study two years ago that showed the United States was in violation of numerous International Labour Organization and United Nations accords and conventions. He noted how difficult it is, and how the Wagner Act has been watered down, it is so difficult to organize. Stewart compared the difficulties that workers face in organizing with the ability of Blacks to register to vote. In Mississippi, Blacks had the right to register to vote if they could get past the sheriff. Stewart noted that there has been legislation filed by Sen. Kennedy that would place significant penalties on employers who break labor organizing laws, and will impose mandatory arbitration in establishing first contracts. He noted that this will be the primary piece of legislation in this year’s legislative agenda.   Papal Social Encyclicals     Other Catholic Social Teachings General Articles of Interest   Catholic Worker Connection Msgr. George Higgins  Home Page Contact Us