SSL participates in Interfaith Worker Justice wage theft action

Rev. Paul Langston-Daley
West Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, Glendale, Arizona

I walked into the door at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Phoenix and was immediately dispatched by SSL Campaign Manager Dan Furmansky to an Interfaith Worker Justice (IWJ) action. I joined Suzi Spangenberg from Berkeley and we drove to Mesa to Waldo’s BBQ Joint, where a number of Latino workers have gone unpaid for almost two months. We arrived and were met by 30 others — members of IWJ (including the director and founder of IWJ Kim Bobo), restaurant employees, and a delegation of clergy. A small group went into the restaurant to speak with the owner while the rest of us marched our way over, singing and chanting “De Colores” and “We Shall Not Be Moved.” We stood outside the restaurant, still singing and chanting, holding signs, and providing witness. Several cars honked their horns in solidarity and waved. The delegation came out of the restaurant and told us the owner was not there, but they got him by phone. He sounded empathetic and agreed to meet with Rev. Trena Zelle of IWJ next week. The meeting is a small success and it is still unclear if he will provide the back pay owed. I am grateful to have the opportunity to be a presence, a witness and a chance to stand on the side of love against wage theft. Suzi took some great footage – check out the video!