AFSCME Local 3800 is collecting toys for children who would otherwise not have a gift this Christmas. Toys will be donated to the Toys for Tots program. If you are able, please contribute to this worthwhile cause.
We are also collecting financial contributions to UE Local 1110 in Chicago. These workers' factory was shut down with only three days notice and the workers are fighting for pay and have staged a peaceful sit-in in the factory since Friday. Complete information about their struggle is at the end of this e-mail.
You can drop off your Toys for Tots donations, and/or donations for the workers of UE Local 1110 on Thursday, December 11, Friday, December 12 and Tuesday, December 16 at the following locations:

• Wiley Hall skyway entrance (West Bank) from 11:00 to 1:00
• Scott Hall Foyer (East Bank) from 11:00 to 1:00
• Outside Inn Hallway (Medical Area) from 11:00 to 1:00
• WBOB (West Bank) from 12:00 to 1:00--There will be a donation box in the lobby where you can place gifts and donations anytime.

The following people will be accepting toys and donations in their offices from 8:00 to 4:30 only on the above mentioned days.

• Julia Gladhill, 266 Mc Neal Hall (St Paul Campus)
• Rick Castillo, 337 KE (Medical Area)
• Mary Lou Middleton, 295 Humphrey Center (West Bank)
• Cherrene Horazuk, 300 Humphrey Center (West Bank)
• Kelly Alghamdi Zimmerschied will be accepting toys before 8:30 am at the third floor lobby of the Transportation and Safety Building.

Support the Workers of Republic Windows and Doors

On Friday December 5th, the workers of Republic Windows and Doors, members of United Electrical Workers Local 1110, occupied their factory in Chicago, which the owners announced just three days earlier they were going to permanently shut down at 10:00 AM that day. The workers are fighting for pay for their lost vacation days and for the 75 days notice that they are guaranteed under Illinois law. This is the first time in many years workers have taken the bold strategy of occupying their place of work to demand justice. They have put the struggle of all workers at the forefront of the nation's consciousness and have made the complicated financial crisis something that is crystal clear and easy to understand. The basic lesson is that it is bad for working people, and the only way we'll get anything is if we organize, stand up and fight for it. They have won the support of workers around the country and even many politicians and public figures. But so far Bank of America, a recipient of billions of dollars of the government bailout, has not agreed to loan the money to the company so that the workers can receive the notice and earned pay they are supposed to receive in this situation. The longer their action continues the more support they'll need.
AFSCME 3800 sent a solidarity message to UE Local 1110 yesterday (check it out here). We are also collecting financial donations for the Republic Windows workers. Bring your checks, made out to UE Local 1110 Solidarity Fund, or cash to the same locations where we are collecting Toys for Tots.
To get more info and to sign a petition in support of the Republic Windows workers, go to http://www.ueunion.org/ue_republic.html.