When we persevere in solidarity, we win!
Dear Friends,
During the worst of the COVID pandemic, our sisters and brothers who work in the grocery chains kept the shelves stocked, worked as cashiers, and staffed the deli and meat counters. In short, they helped us get our food. They did this at real risk to their own health. Some of them died.
The companies they work for made billions. UFCW, their union, entered into a long fight to get an equitable pay raise and to address safety concerns in the workplace. On behalf of CLUE I was privileged to be a part of delegations to store management: to let them know that the community would be there to support them in the event of a strike.
I’m so happy that UFCW reached a contract agreement with Vons, Ralphs, Stater Bros., Albertsons and Pavilions markets. It’s what the workers deserve. So we can shop knowing that our siblings behind the counter are getting the pay and benefits they need.
When we persevere in solidarity, we win! Thank you for supporting the organized, connected, interfaith movement that transforms people’s lives with fair wages and better working conditions.
In faith, Rev. Tom Carey, Church of the Epiphany
If you read nothing else, read this:
- Architects of Justice is just one month away! You won’t want to miss this inspiring evening featuring civil rights legend and CLUE co-founder Rev. James M. Lawson, Jr. and changemakers building a stronger movement for justice! Early Bird Tix through 4/30/22 [read more]
- Join CLUE for a Paid Summer Internship! College and seminary students of every faith are invited to apply for CLUE’s Young Religious Leaders Fellowship. Application deadline 4/30/22 [read more]
- So Cal Grocery Workers Win! Thank you for being by their side as they struggle for, and win, a solid new three-year contract. [read more]
- [ACTION ALERT] Can you help with a final push to get two new initiatives on the Los Angeles ballot that support hotel housekeepers and help ensure that luxury hotels don’t displace affordable housing? [read more]
- Welcome, Kara Howard! We’re so happy to have a new addition to the CLUE team. Learn about our new HR/Admin Manager! [read more]
Thank you for being a part of the CLUE community.
In faith,
Your friends at CLUE
You Are Invited
For a limited time only, you can join CLUE’s largest OC gathering of the year a SUPER discounted price of $75!
Architects of Justice is a special celebration of champions who are advancing the movement for economic justice in Orange County! We’ll hear stories of hope, faith, persistence, and victory in the struggle to build a more just and sacred society.
Every gift you make helps to fuel the organized, connected, interfaith movement for justice in support of an economy that works for everyone.
Join Us – YRLF Now Accepting Applications!
CLUE’s Young Religious Leaders Fellowship is a challenging, life-changing, paid internship opportunity that runs 8 weeks from mid-June to early August. College and seminary students of every faith are invited to apply.
Across the Southland
So Cal Grocery Workers Win Big and You Do Too!
We’re so pleased to share the news that 60,000 of our essential grocery worker siblings at Albertsons, Vons, Pavilions, Ralphs & Stater Brothers ratified a new three-year contract last week.
The new contract provides solid pay raises, guaranteed hours for those with part-time status, better pensions, improved benefits, and provisions to establish health and safety commissions at at stores so that employees have a say on safety issues.
This historic agreement is the direct result of the workers’ courageous organizing and willingness to authorize a strike after negotiations started to break down.
The grocery workers want to thank the incredible community who supported them throughout this process, and helped make this win possible!
CLUE participated in delegations, joined informational pickets at stores, held briefings across L.A., Long Beach, and O.C. to help community members understand workers struggles, and more.
Los Angeles
Safety for Hotel Housekeepers and More Affordable Housing on the Ballot in L.A.?
Several CLUE faith-rooted organizers prepare to canvass on March 28th, 2022.
CLUE has been partnering with UNITE HERE! Local 11 on the RAISE LA campaign to gather petition signatures for two initiatives that will protect housekeepers from being overworked and underpaid, and ensure that luxury hotels don’t displace housing in Los Angeles.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Join us Saturday, April 23 or Sunday, April 24, 2022 as we conduct one final push for signatures to put these two initiatives on the ballot.
Contact Matthew Hom at [email protected].
Black & Brown Clergy and Community Coalition (BBCCC)
Several CLUE faith-rooted organizers prepare to canvass on March 28th, 2022.
On March 31st the Black & Brown Clergy and Community Coalition (BBCCC) joined SEIU 721 County workers, urging a new contract with the County. And they are preparing to potentially go on strike.
These workers are trying to protect medical and dental benefits and stop the County from privatizing vacant positions. At CLUE we believe that every person deserves to earn a living working one job so we’re proud to stand with them.
You can sign up for CLUE Action Alerts to stay informed about actions of public witness like this.
Black Clergy Leaders Urge Jay-Z to Move Chateau Oscar Party Amid Hotel Boycott
On March 25th, BBCCC joined UNITE HERE for the delegation to Jay Z’s Roc Nation to urge him not to have his Oscar after party at the Chateau Marmont. He did so anyway, but CLUE and UNITE HERE were on hand to boycott the party.
In the Media:
- Roc Nation delegation: Black Clergy Leaders Urge Jay-Z to Move Chateau Oscar Party Amid Hotel Boycott
- Video of protest at Jay Z’s party can be seen here CHATEAU MARMONT – UNITE HERE Local 11
You can sign up for CLUE Action Alerts to stay informed about actions of public witness like this.
Orange County
Santa Ana’s Walnut and Daisy Micro-Farm will Incubate Worker Cooperatives
On March 16, CLUE joined THRIVE to present on the work of the Walnut and Daisy Community Micro-farm project during the Ecological Justice Meeting of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange County. The micro-farm will positively impact the lives of the local residents, promoting economic development through worker-cooperatives and will contribute to the wellbeing of Earth. For more information, please contact Lucero Garcia,[email protected]
Immigration
Immigration Faith and Practice Summit
CLUE was invited by Norlan Hernandez and Pastor Jack Miranda to host the lunch portion of an Immigration Faith and Practice Summit on Friday Mar 18, 2022 at Vanguard University.
David Jaimes (pictured right) sang a hymn that he frequents at marches which also testify to his faith and community. Although these academic spaces are based on new thinking, it is the real life stories of the faith community in action that makes CLUE a valuable source of knowledge and more importantly a catalyst for change.
Cesar Chavez Day of Remembrance
On March 26 CLUE was invited to participate in the annual “Cesar Chavez Day of Remembrance” with (South Coast AQMD), where 550 people attended the event. This year’s annual event focused on migrants’ justice, addressing air pollution, and environmental inequalities. CLUE’s faith-rooted organizer, Rev. Walter Contreras, raised awareness on the importance of being COVID 19 vaccinated.
Solidarity is Sacred
Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice educates, organizes, and mobilizes faith leaders and community members to walk with workers and immigrants in their struggles for good jobs, safe workplaces, and healthy communities.
We can accompany low-wage workers—mostly immigrants and communities of color—because people like you support an organized, connected interfaith movement for economic justice.
Please join the movement to build an economy that works for everyone, not just those at the top.
