See all the media highlights here from the Historic Human Rights Victory

Sept 23 - News clips on the Living Wages Hunger Strike and Historic Victory for Human Rights

Hunger Strike Announcement Aug 15, 2007 WBAL 11

Historic Victory for Human Rights Sept 6, 2007 Fox 45

Sept 8 - United Workers celebrates historic victory at the Concert for Human Rights

Strikers prepare for the human rights victory celebration by painting banners for the Concert for Human Rights.	Strikers took the stage, joined by United Workers ally Rev. Powers, inviting everyone to celebrate this historic human rights victory, and join them in the next steps to break the chains of poverty everywhere and for everyone.
The United Workers has long been inspired by the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) and were privileged to be able to share this victory with them. A representative of the CIW speaks at the Concert for Human Rights.	Etan Thomas of the Washington Wizards layed down some of his amazing poetry, lending his star status to support the movement of low-wage workers in the struggle to secure human rights for all.

The Concert for Human Rights was full of much deserved joy and celebration after a long and difficult three-year struggle at Camden Yards. The blazzing heat of the day was no match for the occasion and the energy brought by allies and an incredible lineup of performers and speakers.

The day was set aside to reflect on the United Workers historic feat, as the first ever human rights organization led by low-wage workers to secure a living wage for day laborers. Yet we know that much work still lies ahead. The United Workers has committed to ensuring that the current cleaners have a fair opportunity to work next season for a living wage. The struggle to secure work with dignity will continue and to put an end to the human rights violations at the stadium.

Sept 6 - Historic Human Rights Victory at Camden Yards!!!!!

Members and allies of the United Workers celebrated tonight's historic victory at a vigil and rally at the Light Street Presbytarian Church held just hours after the MSA voted to pay cleaners a living wage. Members and allies made speeches, sang together, cut off the yellow unity bands and held a candle light vigil. We reflected on the long and difficult struggle to get to victory and on the next steps that must be taken to ensure the current cleaners all get an opportunity to work at a living wage when the new contract goes into effect at the start of the next baseball season.

Following the MSA Board meeting on Sept 6, 2007 the United Workers called off the planned Living Wages Hunger Strike and declared a living wages victory for the cleaners at Camden Yards. The Living Wages Hunger Strike was called off in response to the Maryland Stadium Authority's decision to re-bid the current cleaning contract and to include living wages in the request for proposals.

While celebrating the living wages victory, the United Workers remains committed to ensuring that working conditions at Camden Yards improve. The United Workers will work to ensure that the current cleaners at MSA sports facilities have a fair opportunity to keep their jobs and to work at the new living wage rate.

"After three long and difficult years of struggle, we're very excited about today's living wage victory at Camden Yards," said Carl Johnson of the United Workers. "Our next priority will be making sure that the current cleaners get a fair opportunity to keep their jobs next season and to work at a living wage."

Sept 6 - Etan Thomas, Washington Wizards Center will be headlining the Concert for Human Rights

The Concert for Human Rights will feature Etan Thomas. Etan Thomas is a professional basketball player with the Washinton Wizards, an author, and a poet. He is truly "more than an athlete". Come see him and plenty of other talented artists at the Concert for Human Rights on Sept. 8, 2007 at 2:00 PM at 1410 Bush St. (behind the AFSCME offices).

Sept 3 - Labor Day Prayer Breakfast

See all the photos from the exciting day here.

From the Baltimore Sun:

Preaching the importance of respect, dignity and justice for low-wage workers at a Labor Day prayer service and rally, the men and women who clean Camden Yards called off a planned hunger strike today to give the Maryland Stadium Authority a few more days to sign a binding "living wage" agreement that the workers have demanded.

Organizers with the United Workers Association, a human rights group founded by homeless day laborers in Baltimore, said they were encouraged by public remarks Friday from Gov. Martin O'Malley and Frederick W. Puddester, chairman of the stadium authority.

Read the entire article

Sept 2 - Stadium Worker Allies Group (SWAG)

The Stadium Worker Allies Group (SWAG) started in the Summer of 2007 when they heard about the United Workers Sept. 1 deadline to reach a binding living wages solution from the Maryland Stadium Authority. SWAG is a community based group working with the United Workers, focusing on educating Baltimoreans about the United Workers Living Wages campaign at Camden Yards and the movement led by the poor to end poverty. Visit SWAG on the Web.

Sept 2 - In response to Governor and MSA Chairman's positive comments, United Workers to postpone Living Wages Hunger Strike at Camden Yards

On Sept. 3, 2007 at 11:15 AM the United Workers will announce that due to positive signs coming from both the Governor and the Chairman of the Maryland Stadium Authority (MSA) that the Living Wages Hunger Strike will be postponed until Sept 8, 2007. The announcement will take place during the Labor Day Prayer Breakfast at Light Street Presbyterian Church (809 Light Street), which was to be the kick off event for the hunger strike.

The postponement of the hunger strike is intended to allow breathing room for the MSA to work out specific plans for securing a living wage for the cleaners at Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium.

Aug 31 - Sports Illustrated: Doing the Dirty Work

Read this excellent feature from SportsIllustrated.com:

Judging by the streams of fans flowing out of Oriole Park at Camden Yards, you'd swear the game had ended. The driving rains sent even the most loyalOrioles' supporters running to the shelter of their cars, or the cover of the nearest bar. But beneath her broken-down umbrella, Bernadette Scudder stood, waiting and wondering if the umps would ever call this game. She can't tell you the name of a player, the outcome of a single game or the Orioles' standing in their division, but no matter how late the hour, Scudder would see this, and every home game, through to its end.

None of the fleeing fans seemed to notice Scudder or any of the other 118workers jockeying for the dry piece of concrete beneath the Gate F overhang. It is here, toward the end of every night game at Camden Yards, where the field lights cast a shadow upon the workers who will soon help the stadium regain its shine. read more

Aug 30 - Permit or No Permit, Hunger Strike Set to Start

The United Workers will hold the Living Wages Hunger Strike on Maryland Stadium Authority (MSA) property with or without a permit issued by the agency. Despite repeated assurances by the MSA that a permit is forthcoming, no permit has been issued. The United Workers is prepared to defy the Maryland Stadium Authority and conduct the Living Wages Hunger Strike even if a permit has not yet been issued in time for the hunger strike

Aug 28 - Tom Perez seeks "win-win solution" at Camden Yards

Tom Perez speaks at the United Workers Freedom from Poverty All-Night Vigil in 2006

In an appearance on WYPR's Mark Steiner Show today, Tom Perez once again demonstrated his support for the cleaners at Camden Yards. In response to a question from Mark Steiner about the Living Wages Hunger Strike, Tom Perez said that he's met with the United Workers on several occasions and that he'd like to help facilitate a win-win solution at Camden Yards.

Aug 28 - Medical Screenings for Hunger Strikers

Carl leads the discussion at today's health and well-being meeting for hunger strikers.

Today the hunger strikers met to discuss plans for health and well-being during the Living Wages Hunger Strike. A medical doctor volunteered to conduct a free screening for each hunger striker to assess if there are any health issues that prevent participation. All hunger strikers must pass the medical screening to be sure that there are no known health risks related to fasting for as long as it takes to secure a living wage at Camden Yards. Some of the hunger strikers will receive additional check ups later this week.

Aug 23 - Carl: "Speaking Up for Justice!"

by Carl Johnson, former stadium cleaner and hunger striker

Today I was on the radio (WPFW 89.3) to speak about the United Workers and our three years Living Wages Campaign at Camden Yards.

I was really nervous when I got the phone call to say I have 2 minutes until we go live. My hands started shaking and my voice started to tremble. But when she said

"Hi Carl", a feeling of calmness came over me especially with Communicatons Organizer Greg standing right by my side.

I was able to share my story of joining the United Workers when I never got paid as cleaner at Camden Yards, and the importance of the United Workers in my life as a Human Rights organization in the fight to end poverty.

The host asked how I felt about Dan Gainor, of the Baltimore Examiner. I told her that our members are outraged about his article saying we deserve to be poor and don't deserve a living wage.

I talked about how fed up we are, and our next move being the Living Wages Hunger Strike to get better wages. We start on September 3 and that we are notgoing to stop until we get a living wage.

Immigration with Dignity is a Human Right

The United Workers stands in solidarity with Mexicanos Sin Fronteras and Casa de Maryland. The United Workers will stand up in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Prince Williams, VA to fight for the human rights of immigrants and for immigration with dignity. The day before the Living Wages Hunger Strike begins, hunger strikers will join in protest with Mexicanos Fronteras to send a strong message: We are united for human rights of all. The United Workers will join Casa de Maryland, St Patrick's Parish and others to show solidarity for human rights of all.

Aug 19 - Protest in Ocean City

Yesterday the hunger strikers protested outside of the Maryland Stadium Authority's Ocean City Convention Center. This wrapped up an intense week that started with the announcement press conference on Wednesday and included time for reflection and planning and conducting outreach to state leaders and policy makers. We were able to directly make our case to the state's political leaders while they met for the MACO conference. And we were also able to focus on the steps ahead as we prepare for the Living Wages Hunger Strike to start on Sept 3. read more in blog

Aug 15 - Living Wages Hunger Strike Announced

The cleaners at Camden Yards declared today that on Sept 3 they would begin a hunger strike until living wages at the publicly owned stadium are secured. The cleaners compared poverty wages to slavery, calling for an Underground Railroad to freedom from poverty.

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