On Monday the Industrial Workers of the World, aka One Big Union, rallied outside the Astor Place, New York Kmart. The rally was a call to action for Kmart over Havas (HAV.PA) owned Media Planning Group‘s (MPG) handling of a recent slate of layoffs. The IWW called for Kmart to fire the agency because it is MPG’s biggest client and losing that business over ethical concerns was would provoke change.
The IWW and supporters rallied outside of the Astor Place Kmart to call attention to the company’s refusal to sever ties with (MPG) and instead choose a socially responsible ad agency. MPG, a Havas owned concern, laid off 10% of its workers and has been unwilling to negotiate fair terms of the severance agreement. The crowd was joined by the Rude Mechanical Orchestra marching band who energized the crowd with chants of ‘Shame on Kmart, drop MPG.’
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The IWW sent us quotes from actual former MPG employees, like Joseph Sanchez, who said “Kmart could honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. today by furthering the ideal of social justice that he embodied and find an ad agency that is willing to negotiate with its employees.”
Nice try, Joseph, but this is advertising — where unions are as likely to be heard as an account executive in a creative meeting. MultiCultClassics put it this way, “Um, does IWW have any idea what industry they are dealing with here?”
Apparently not. Then again, this is the same group that met in a Starbucks before the rally to get the coffee-ier to pay baristas holiday wages, and refill their Thermoses. They’re way overbooked.
This isn’t the first time the IWW has complained of MPG’s tactics. They first got on the agency’s case in June when they accused MPG of laying off employees at a time when the agency was making money. Not having seen the books ourselves, it’s hard to say where up is, but aren’t there other agencies the IWW should be spending their time on?
At least someone is sticking up for America’s ad men/women.
More: “Havas’ Media Planning Group Under Fire Following April Layoffs”
January 18, 2010
Kmart, MPG Targeted in Annual MLK Day March
Union calling on Kmart to Choose a Socially Responsible Ad Agency
New York, NY- On MLK Day, the IWW and supporters rallied outside of the Astor Place Kmart to call attention to the company’s refusal to sever ties with Media Planning Group (MPG) and instead choose a socially responsible ad agency. MPG, a Havas owned concern, laid off 10% of its workers and has been unwilling to negotiate fair terms of the severance agreement. The crowd was joined by the Rude Mechanical Orchestra marching band who energized the crowd with chants of “Shame on Kmart, drop MPG.”
“It is shameful that Kmart continues to do business with MPG,” said Joseph Sanchez, a former MPG employee. “Kmart could honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. today by furthering the ideal of social justice that he embodied and find an ad agency that is willing to negotiate with its employees.”
In order to receive severance pay, workers had to sign an agreement that bared them from suing the company while MPG retained its right to sue them. Additionally workers cannot denigrate the company but there is no reciprocation on MPG’s part in regards to its former employees. The union has held a series of protests at several Kmart locations over the issue. MPG has responded with threats of legal action as well as arrest for talking with coworkers.
“Kmart is MPG’s biggest client and should use its influence to ensure that MPG treats its employees with respect,” said Joseph Sanchez.
Before marching to Kmart, the union first rallied at Starbucks in support of an effort to get the coffee giant to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by paying the holiday rate of pay for its baristas as the company does for other several holidays.
Founded in 1905, the Industrial Workers of the World is a global labor union dedicated to workplace democracy and the dignity of all working people. The campaign for fair severance at MPG was launched in June 2009 by the NYC IWW.