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May 2, 2002/Nisan 30, 5763 Vol. 55, No. 36
Bring Jewish values to the workplacePAUL RUBINWhat is the Jewish perspective on the rights of employees? As a Jewish individual who may own a company, supervise other employees or train individuals to do yard or housework, what are your responsibilities as an employer? In a right-to-work state that is not known for being hospitable to employee rights or unions, what is the Arizona Jewish community's responsibility to speak out for workers who are treated improperly? When we get "such a deal," should we assess whether the deal is at the expense of another - for example a child laborer or an immigrant desperate for work?Respect for the dignity of labor has been an important theme in Jewish religious writings. This attitude stems from biblical commandments relating to the work relationship. Jewish religious sources speak to the issues of prompt payment, work stoppage, limits on hours of work, sickness and disability pay, along with a discussion of employee obligations. As Jews in a modern world, how do we transfer these prescriptions to our everyday lives and society? The Arizona Chapter of the Jewish Labor Committee addresses these questions and concerns. The Jewish Labor Committee is an organization committed to defending civil and human rights with a uniquely Jewish perspective. It is associated with Jewish Community Relations Councils and Jewish Federations throughout the United States. In 1934, the Jewish Labor Committee founded the Jewish Unionists in response to the threat of Nazism. The organization spent 11 years focused on supporting the efforts of the North American labor federations and their Jewish members in combating Nazism and Fascism at home and abroad. After World War II, it continued its work in support of civil rights, human rights and working people. The JLC's Arizona Chapter was established by the efforts of Herman Brown - who moved to Arizona after retiring as the JLC Regional Director in Boston - assisted by like-minded Arizona residents. Brown serves as the volunteer JLC National Representative in Arizona. Paul Rubin of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 99 is the chairman. Attorney Stanley Lubin is the chapter's legal counsel. Since inception we have assisted with the "Justice for Arizona Roofers" campaign, been involved with interfaith movements, supported living wage struggles, and in April 2002 hosted our first "Labor Seder" in conjunction with the federation's JCRC and the Arizona State AFL-CIO. The JLC Arizona Chapter would like to ask the Arizona Jewish community for their thoughts. What do you think are the most important issues facing employees in Arizona? What issues would you like to see the Jewish Labor Committee undertake? How can the Arizona Jewish community become better mobilized to assist Arizona workers? We invite all viewpoints and for those interested to join us in our efforts. Rubin is chairman of the Arizona Chapter of the Jewish Labor Committee. Contact him at 480-883-9291 or e-mail, jlcarizona@aol.com. |
