Catholic Workers boycott Borders

Lunchtime patrons of Borders Books and Music in Colonie ran a gamut of protesters on Monday who carried signs asking consumers of the Albany Diocese to boycott the national bookstore chain.

The founders of Emmaus House, the Catholic Worker center that recently opened in Albany, were among those calling for the boycott after a Borders store in Philadelphia last June fired Miriam Fried, an employee who had tried to organize a union at the store. The picketers called Borders' actions "union-busting tactics."

Ms. Fried was allegedly fired for accepting a customer's check without an address, but protesters believe that the real reason for her firing was her involvement with the union-organizing drive. Less than 72 hours after Ms. Fried was fired, they say, the management changed the store's check-acceptance policy. Ms. Fried's previous record called her "a fine model" for other employees.

Unions and books

In addition, the Philadelphia store's manager sent a letter to employees asking them to vote against forming a union. The letter, signed by manager Dave Stewart, read in part, "It is my belief that a union is simply not an effective way of dealing with any of the issues and concerns you may have."

Union organizers have said that Borders also interrogated them on their feelings about a union. The union was never formed.

The protest gathered about 10 picketers at the Colonie store. It was organized by the Philadelphia branch of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), who help to organize unions in various businesses. Miriam Fried was an IWW member, and the protesters hope to have her reinstated.

Catholic tie-in

Fred Boehrer of Emmaus House told The Evangelist that the relationship between the Catholic Workers and the IWW that led to their participation in the protest began with Dorothy Day, foundress of the Catholic Worker movement. (Catholic Workers live in solidarity with the poor, receive no salaries or grants for their work and are activists for peace.)

"Catholic Worker groups have been engaging with IWW groups throughout the country," Mr. Boehrer stated. "We're all members of the body of Christ. When one member is injured, we're all injured."

The Albany Catholic Workers called for others to join the boycott in their February/March newsletter, which cited Catholic social teaching that "employees have the right to form labor organizations to ensure fair treatment by their employers."

Unfairness seen

According to Greg Giorgio, IWW delegate for the Capital District, what happened to Miriam Fried did not constitute "fair treatment."

Referring to the Borders manager's letter to employees, Mr. Giorgio stated: "While he recognized the legal right to organize, he also implicitly told them he thought a union was a bad idea for this particular store. I don't know of any other marketplace that issues a letter with an opinion statement from the management. It sent a chill through the entire Borders network."

Part of the problem, Mr. Giorgio and Mr. Boehrer said, is that Borders requires its employees to pass a quiz to prove their knowledge about its books before they are hired, yet does not pay them a living wage. Starting salaries at Borders have been cited at $6.00-$6.50 an hour.

Social justice

"There's a misconception in this country that people in so-called `civilized' jobs don't need unions," Mr. Giorgio told The Evangelist; but "we still have a legal right to organize in this country. They have decided [to organize a union at Borders], and we should support them."

"The history of Catholic social teaching says workers have the right to earn an income," Mr. Boehrer pointed out. "There's a general ethical concern; but also as Roman Catholics, we feel committed to this. It's time we move from discussions of minimum wage to discussions of a living wage."

The picketers, who held other protests at the Colonie Borders throughout the fall, in December and in January, are asking local Catholics and others to write or call Borders to urge reinstatement of Miriam Fried. Mr. Boehrer stated that he was "pleased with the response" of those who had joined the protest.

If Ms. Fried gets her job back, Mr. Giorgio said, "I think people will have learned that it's probably not a good idea to keep firing people for trying to organize."

(Write to Borders at 311 Maynard St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104; or call 1-800-644-7733. Contact the Industrial Workers of America at 861-5627. Contact Emmaus House at 482-4966.)

(02-20-97) [[In-content Ad]]