Support the COURAGE Campaign

for Bobby and Georgia!

Two Filipino caregivers, Georgia Danan and Balbert Quintas, are fighting for the most basic workers’ right – to get paid for work they performed. 

Georgia and Balbert both worked as caregivers for Mt. Sinai, a home healthcare agency, in Los Angeles owned by Lovelyn Labadlabad Roldan.  With the help of the Pilipino Workers' Center and the Association of Filipino Workers, they both brought their cases against Mt. Sinai to the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE).  DLSE ordered that Mt. Sinai owes Georgia and Balbert over $25,000 in wages and penalties combined.  However, Lovelyn Labadlabad Roldan still refuses to pay them. 

Ms. Danan and Mr. Quintas’ cases are a part of a larger effort to improve working conditions for caregivers called “Caregivers Organizing for Unity, Respect, and Genuine Empowerment” (C.O.U.R.A.G.E. Campaign).  This campaign highlights specific cases such as Georgia’s case and Balbert’s case to hold employers accountable to workers’ rights.  By participating in the campaign, caregivers can educate themselves about their rights and how to join with other caregivers and Filipinos to protect themselves, to make changes in the caregiver industry, and to become empowered. 

May-Day March 2008

For more pictures Click Here

Join us for

May 1st International Workers March on Super Thursday

MIWON Route begins at 2:00pm - MacArthur Park

Join us to demand:

Legalization for All, Stop the Raids, and Peace and Dignity for all Communities!

"Don't Miss Out on our AFW Meeting!"

Next AFW

General Meeting

7:00pm

Friday, April 25, 2008

153 Glendale Blvd., 2nd Fl.

Los Angeles, CA 90026

(213) 250-4353

Western Union Nails Remitters to the Cross

March 20, 2008 – Holy Week is one of the most sacred times of the year for most Christians. Los Angeles is home to thousands of immigrants that celebrate Holy Week. Also known as the “Lenten season”, this is a time of reflection for the past periods that we have dealt with our family, friends and colleagues. It is the time for repentance for misdeeds we unknowingly have done towards others, and search for ways to appease the offended. 

Our Economy During Holy Week

The US dollar plunged over Palm Sunday weekend to a new record-low of $1.5463 versus the euro Friday. In a time when the effects of a recession are hitting immigrants and people of color the hardest, people are scrambling to save money where they can. The worsening economy is forcing people to spend less and save more. During this Holy Week, immigrants are forced to reflect on America’s weakening economy and understand who is at fault when poor people become poorer. 

Western Union, a Modern-Day Robber

Our modern times have the same characters as those during the time of Christ. Take the case of WESTERN UNION (WU), a money transfer institution that fattens their executives with benefits derived from transactions that involves many low income workers who send money to their families abroad. Western Union charges anywhere from $16 to several hundred dollars to send our hard-earned money back to our home countries. 

The irony of the situation when one deals with Western Union, is the fact that the more you increase the amount you send, the rate of their fee increases. On the other hand, the public is the unwilling captive customers and being led by the nose by Western Union, that whatever it says has become the guiding rule for the public to follow.Western Union has become a modern-day robber, stealing from the poor and benefiting from everyone’s misery. In fact, the CEO of Western Union, Christina Gold, made $16.5 million in 2006. The company’s community reinvestment has increased only to $0.49 per every $100 in profit from $0.41. This is far below what companies like Wal-Mart ($2.30) and Ben & Jerry’s ($7.50) reinvest in communities.

Western Union Continues to Crucify Customers

In the Lenten drama, the characters have repented and asked for forgiveness. However, Western Union is unwavering and instead it has continued to deal a deadly blow on its customers.

Jesus was crucified only once, and the crucifixion is commemorated every year. However, when we deal with Western Union for the entire year, it is like being nailed to the cross over and over again, and the hurt is unceasing with the thought that we are being robbed of our hard earned dollars. 

During this Lenten Season, we demand Western Union to stop stealing from our communities. We want Western Union to lower their fees and to sign our Community Benefits Agreement to give back to our communities.

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For more information, contact Pilipino Workers' Center (213) 250-4353 or pilworker@pwcsc.org