Local 30 Trailer (no audio)

As dawn breaks over the Mojave Desert, vans and buses of replacement workers arrive at the entrance of Rio Tintos U.S. Borax open pit mine located 125 miles north of Los Angeles in the tiny town of Boron where on January 31, Rio Tinto summarily locked out almost 600 workers.

Unemployed and without health care, locked out mine workers brave the same elements they endured on the job, manning the gates twenty-four hours a day to remind Rio Tinto that they are ready to go back to work.

The town of Boron was founded in 1927 after the discovery of borate minerals and mining was moved from Death Valley. With a rich mining history, Boron is home to as many as three generations of mining families and also boarders Edwards Air Force Base. The economic impact of Rio Tintos actions has cut deep into a small and close-knit community.

Boron is home to local support businesses, two museums, public services of fire, sheriff, post office and public schools as well as the miners and their families. All are suffering the effects of Rio Tintos actions.

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union motto: an injury to one is an injury to all, seems to sum up the events. So, how can you help?

You can help by giving a generous tax deductable donation by writing a check to: Labor Community Services, with the notation, Boron Lockout in the memo field, and mailing it to:

Labor Community Services
2130 W. James M. Wood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90006

Additionally, the ILWU is asking that ILWU locals, IBU Regions, Pension Clubs and Auxiliaries turn out for rallies and demonstrations at the British Consulates in Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles on Friday, April 16, 2010.

Seattle 12:00 Noon
900 Fourth Avenue Suite 3100, Seattle, WA 98164

Portland The Consulate in Portland has closed so Columbia River members are encouraged to go to Seattle.

San Francisco -11:00 AM
1 Sansome Street, Suite 850, San Francisco, CA

Los Angeles 11:00 AM
11766 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1200, Los Angeles

We would like to suggest that all those who support the House of Labor to provide support and give all that you can.

Hey,

Do something!

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• ILWU Local 30 Boron
• CA Borax Miners
• Rio Tinto Labor Union