Support Casual Workers at Safehaven in Their Fight for a Fair Contract!

Casual Staff are employees who work less than 16 hours a week at Safe Haven Shelter and Resource Center in Duluth.  Their job entails providing advocacy to survivors of domestic violence in a number of ways at the shelter, from taking hotline calls to serving meals.  Because they are casual staff, they often work at other jobs or attend college.  They are proud to contribute to Safe Haven by filling in shifts.  

In early May, these staff unionized because they wanted the same pay as other staff as they do the same amount of work.  They also wanted access to time off, as they do not have access to paid or unpaid time off for leisure, emergencies, or non-emergency situations (school, conferences, meetings, other jobs, etc.).  They simply want to be treated like other workers.  Because of this, 100% of these hardworking employees signed cards to become AFSCME members.  

Now, these workers are calling upon the community and their allies to support them as they negotiate for a fair contract with equal wages and access to time off.  They should not be punished for unionizing, made to work more, and treated as second class workers.  By signing this petition, community members, activists, friends in the labor movement, feminists, and other stakeholders want to show solidarity with casual workers at Safe Haven and their struggle for a fair contract.  We ask the administration of Safe Haven to approach negotiations with fairness and compassion as they reach a contract agreement with the dedicated employees who strengthen and enrich the organization.   Supporting workers is essential to supporting survivors.  

To show your support we urge you to sign this petition in support of the casual workers.

Also, mark your calendars for July 11, when there will be a community rally/informationalpicket in support of these workers.

AN INJURY TO ONE IS AN INJURY TO ALL!