Anti-Union Doll Maker Not So American

American Girl, a doll maker and children’s publisher known to most everyone who has been a girl or the parent of a girl in the last 20 years, may present a wholesome, all-American image, but it has shown itself to be just another employer that tramples the rights of hard-working Americans. Today the New York Times reported that employees of the flagship American Girl Place store in New York have gone on strike after the company was hostile to the formation of a union.

The company employs 18 actors for theater productions at its New York store. The actors recently expressed a desire to join the Actors’ Equity Association, but management was not exactly receptive. They turned down a request to meet with Equity, and also suggested an NLRB secret-ballot election, rather than recognize the union after a majority of the actors expressed interest in joining. Management then decided to revoke pay raises because of the actors’ support for Equity and told them that if Equity was recognized the company would be less willing to grant requests for time off for work-related purposes, like vocal rest.

Along with the strike, Equity filed an unfair labor practice charge with the NLRB last week. The actors get full benefits, and start at $44 a show. Understudies, however, get no benefits and a mere $100/week stipend, earning $38-$44 a show when they perform. But this is not so much about compensation as about the actors’ right to organize and have their union recognized by American Girl.

It’s a shame that a company with such a good reputation for promoting self-esteem in girls and encouraging them to be creative, smart individuals would decide to show such an ugly, un-American side of itself to the world. American Girl dolls are accompanied by stories of girls doing courageous and brave things, and generally instill in girls the values of doing what is right and fair; too bad the company doesn’t take that message to heart.

If you want to encourage American Girl to support workers' rights, here is contact information:

AG Brands
8400 Fairway Place
Middleton, WI 53562-0998
608-836-4848 tel
608-836-1999 fax

Shady California Growers Tell Workers "No Shade for You!"

With the east coast experiencing a miserable heat wave that has swept the country, no one here in Washington, DC is envious of workers who have to spend their days outside toiling in 100 degree temperatures. Out in California, the state adopted permanent heat stress regulations last week to lessen the threat of heat-problems experienced by outdoor laborers. Mainly, the regulations require employers to help prevent heat stress and illness by providing one quart of water per hour per worker, as well as a shady spot where any worker can go if she starts to feel the affects of a heat-related illness or heat stress. Also, employers have to make written heat stress guides available to employees. The state attributes lower death rates among construction and agricultural workers during this most recent heat wave to the newly permanent regulations, which are not found in other states or federal law. Some employers have gone beyond the regulations, adjusting work schedules to keep workers out of the heat at the hottest times of the day.

However, not all employers are so anxious to comply with the new regulations. According to the United Farm Workers, some farmers in California are trying to find a way out of meeting the shade requirements. The California Farm Bureau says that supplying shade in large fields with many workers is difficult, and is an excuse for exposing workers to the dangers that come with extreme high temperatures. One of those dangers includes death. While this heat wave has not been as deadly as ones in years past, six workers have died as a result of the heat. Some growers may find it inconvenient to help prevent illness and death from the heat, but how inconvenient will it be if their workers are too sick to work or die?

For more information, see the United Farm Workers website and check-out this article.