Housing battle gets the goods in north Seattle

Saturday morning, March 1st, some of us with the Seattle Solidarity Network got together a delegation to present a list of demands to a large property owner in north Seattle.  Several of her tenants were living with problems such as large holes in the walls and floors, lack of running water, and broken heating systems throughout the winter. Some had complained.  One of the most outspoken, a young family with a three-year-old daughter, had recently been threatened with eviction. In late (more...)

Property-manager house call stops security deposit theft

In the morning of Saturday April 5th, a group organized with the Seattle Solidarity Network paid a visit to a property manager. Over a month ago, a prospective tenant decided that he did not want to move into the building she was renting in Everett. Unfortunately he had already given her the security deposit, and she was not returning his phone calls. He was couch surfing and needed the $450 back in order to get a new place. So that morning, eight of us crowded onto the front porch of the prop (more...)

"Move out in two days, or go to jail." - Residents refuse

  On Friday May 16, tenants at twelve apartments behind the Green Lake Motel on Aurora Ave got a surprise visit from their landlords - who also own the motel and a few others - saying they had two days to move out, or they'd be arrested.  The motel's license was being suspended due to unsafe conditions, and the apartments had been operating (possibly wrongly) under the same license.  Some residents cleared out right away, and a favored few received temporary lodging in one (more...)

Kicked-out tenants visit slumlord's neighborhood

  On Friday May 23, a group of Green Lake Apartments residents visited their landlords' house in Shoreline.  Together with about 20 supporters from the Solidarity Network and other groups, they crowded around Annie & Joon Min's front door to deliver a letter claiming compensation for being thrown out at short notice. They also left leaflets for the landlords' neighbors explaining why all these people, including photographers, had been outside their neighbor's house (more...)

Picketing begins against motel owners

    Saturday May 31st, we took the next step in this fight by picketing the Aurora Travelodge and Seafair motels.  These two are the most expensive and nicest (not saying much) of the four motels still operated by the owners of the Green Lake apartments.  It was peak check-in time, between 5pm and 8pm on a Saturday.  The result: while the other motels on the strip were full, these two remained half-empty.  The owners, Annie and Joon Min, also made a brief cameo (more...)

Victory at Green Lake Apartments

Friday June 6, 2008:  This fight ended today! The apartment/motel owners gave in and paid up!  Yes, the full amount.  It's a sweet victory for the kicked-out residents, who have been fighting for this for three long weeks.  This weekend they're finally moving out, and moving into decent apartments, with more than enough money to pay deposits and initial rent - as well as positive references - compliments of their old landlords Annie and John Min. Victory BBQ: Saturday (more...)

Workers demand unpaid wages from house-painting boss

    An ex-employee of a painting contractor has been trying for weeks to collect several hundred dollars in unpaid wages. The owner has refused. On Saturday July 19 2008, this worker and about 20 others from the Solidarity Network and Workers Defense Committee (Casa Latina) visited the boss's house to deliver a final demand that he be paid in full for his work. We also distributed flyers to educate the boss's neighbors about the problem. If he continues to refuse, we will take (more...)

Tuff Shed builder fired after on-the-job injury - action underway

Tomania, who's been coming out to Solidarity Network actions since the very first one, recently had a serious on-the-job injury while working as a builder for Tuff Shed, a nationwide chain that builds sheds and garages. Her weight came down on her leg at a bad angle, it tore her cartilage, and she collapsed. She couldn't walk and had to be taken to the hospital. She called and told her boss she'd had a bad injury and wouldn't be able to work, and hospital staff informed the comp (more...)

Painting boss agrees to pay wages

Wednesday Sept 17, 2008: this unpaid-wages campaign - in alliance with Casa Latina's "Worker Defense Committee" - seems to be over.  We visited the boss's house once, then distributed flyers twice at his church on Sunday mornings.  Today he formally (in writing) changed his mind and agreed to pay his former employee's wages in full, on a schedule they agreed to. UPDATE: After paying one third of the wages he owed, the boss - Johnnie Moore - has broken his agreem (more...)

Picketing starts at Tuff Shed

  Saturday Sept 20, 2008, we took the next step in this campaign with our first picket at Tuff Shed. Allies from Casa Latina and Jobs with Justice walked with us in the pouring rain. We don't know how many customers chose not to enter when they saw our picket, but at least one who had already entered came to speak with us and then agreed to go elsewhere for his shed. That alone should cost Tuff Shed over $1,000 in lost sales. More action coming soon! (more...)

Tuff Shed fight ends - compensation granted

UPDATE: After coworker and customer witnesses came forward with the truth about Tomania's on-the-job injury, the state (Dept of Labor & Industries) has rejected Tuff Shed management's story and approved Tomania's claim for compensation. The company has not appealed the decision. This means Tomania has finally been able to get the surgery she needed, and her knee is starting to getting better. Following our second picket, she has decided to end our public campaign and move on to p (more...)

Trucker actions bring Weyerhaeuser to the table

Monday, Dec 8, 2008, 25 people with the Solidarity Network, IWW, and allied organizations picketed Weyerhaeuser corporate headquarters, at the same time as truckers in North Carolina held their first major work stoppage to demand that the company meet with them about their grievances.  For the past several months these truckers have been organizing with the IWW. Currently their pay often adds up to around $6 per hour, many are dangerously overworked, and they're stuck with nearly all e (more...)

Threat of action ends rent dispute

During the December snowstorms, Carlos and his son had to leave their north-Seattle apartment for over two weeks after a pipe burst and flooded the place. After the repairs were done, the owners - major Sound-area property developers - refused to let him deduct rent for the time they had been forced out. Carlos argued that this was unfair and withheld the money anyway, but the company kept insisting he had to pay. He then joined with the Solidarity Network and we prepared for an action campaign. (more...)

Workers confront wage "withholding" funny business

Sunday, March 15 2009, a band of 25 gathered with John as he delivered his demand to the University district Pita Pit fast-food franchise: either produce the W2 tax form that they have so far refused him, or else pay up everything they "withheld for taxes" from his wages in 2008. (more...)

Victory: furniture workers get thousands in unpaid wages

After months of being denied their full wages, the production workers at an expensive Seattle furniture business joined up with the Solidarity Network and began preparing for action. Shortly before the fight was set to begin, they spoke with the owner, informed her that they were now involved with the Seattle Solidarity Network, and asked her once again for their pay. The boss's immediate reply: "No." Then, about 24 hours later, the three received an unexpected delivery: the pay (more...)

Pita Pit picketing proceeds

  Tuesday, April 7, we had to take this fight to the next level, with the first of what will be an ongoing series of strategically-timed pickets at the University district Pita Pit. The franchise owners are now admitting that no taxes were ever paid on behalf of ex-employee John, who now needs to file as an "independent contractor" and pay the taxes himself. That's fine, says John, but what about the chunk of his pay that they always withheld from him "for taxes"? (more...)

Picketers prevail: Pita Pit pays

  Thursday, April 9, we won our fight with the U district Pita Pit. Two hours into our second picket, the franchise owner came out and asked ex-employee John L to come inside (for the third time) and talk. John agreed, and a few minutes later he came out smiling, with a check in his hand for the full amount that had been withheld from his pay. Thanks to everyone who came out to make it happen! (more...)

Solidarity action stops WinCo Foods anti-worker lawsuit

It was not enough for WinCo Foods (Kent, WA) just to fire John J, their lowly employee who had the nerve to discuss pay and working conditions with his coworkers. They also decided to sue him. When they fired John, back in November '08, the best excuse management could come up with was his alleged "theft" of a packet of ranch sauce - price: 38 cents - with which he had flavored his fully paid-for snack in the break room one day. At the time, although he was outraged at their disho (more...)

Action vs management injustice at U-Haul

    Saturday morning, May 30 2009, eleven people and three cameras joined ex-U-Haul worker Marrico for a visit to managers inside two south Seattle U-Haul locations.   Marrico's General Manager at U-Haul was an abusive boss, with a habit of yelling at workers and firing them with little or no justification. In his case she claimed, without showing evidence and contrary to his own memory, that he - a good worker of two years standing - had forgotten to put away some padding t (more...)

Confronting smelly management at Jimmy John's

  Recently a visiting Jimmy John's executive walked by Jason, a hardworking bicycle deliverer, and didn't like the way he smelled. He noticed a whiff of last night's beer and cigarettes, which Jason had been sweating out through hours of hard pedaling. With barely a word, just for that, he casually had Jason fired. The truth is it's not Jason that stinks, it's this kind of arrogant, heavy-handed corporate management which casually throws a worker out of his job on a wh (more...)

Anti-racism fight begins vs property development boss

  For 11 years Patricia worked for Lorig Associates, a major Seattle property development/management company. For most of that time she was one of only two African-American employees in the company, the other being a maintenance worker.  For a decade she was passed over for promotion and denied anything but the most menial positions. Once when she'd filled in for a normally higher-paid job for five months, she was denied the job and then asked to train the inexperienced white wo (more...)

Unpaid wages battle underway in Pioneer Square

Saturday, September 12 2009, 27 people entered TIG Asian Tapas Bar in Pioneer Square to demand full payment of all wages owed to Young for his work washing dishes in the restaurant's kitchen. Young himself led the way, followed by a CNN cameraman. Despite a court order in April, the business has still failed to hand over the roughly $500 that they owe him. Recently he joined the Seattle Solidarity Network and asked for support. As the group crowded in behind Young, a bartender informed us (more...)

Jimmy John's fight ends after costing $4k in sales

  On Friday, September 18 2009, we officially ended our campaign against Jimmy John's fast food sandwich chain. Back in July, SeaSol and wrongfully fired delivery worker Jason decided, in recognition of the owners' absolute refusal to consider reinstating or compensating him, to carry on with actions against the business until we had cost them at least $4,000 in sales, estimated as conservatively as possible. After three months of aggressive actions, we have now achieved that goal. (more...)

Victory: Solidarity action wins long-denied wages

  On Wednesday, September 23 2009, this fight ended. After multiple refusals, three days from our 14-day deadline, T.I.G. restaurant/bar in Pioneer Square gave in and paid Young the $500 in unpaid dishwashing wages that he'd been owed for months. Even a court order back in April hadn't been enough to make the boss pay, but direct action, with the promise of more, did the trick. Thanks to all who came out for the Sept 12th action. (more...)

Lorig-requested negotiation ends after bullying of receptionist

On Friday, October 16th, Patricia, Lee, Andrew, and Emily met with two executives from Lorig Associates - Tom Fitzsimmons (who had received our initial demand letter) and Alison Lorig (Bruce's daughter). Fitzsimmons had called to schedule a meeting directly after this action. (Originally at http://www.newcastle-news.com/2009/10/07/protestors-attend-city-council-meeting-say-developer-is-racist) As expected, this conflict was not settled at the meeting. But one thing was settled - Tom Fi (more...)

Message to Olympia city council: Don't hire Lorig

On Monday, November 2nd, we took the next step in this fight by visiting the City Council of Olympia, which is considering hiring Lorig Associates for a municipal parking development. Our message was simple: Don't support discrimination. Hire anyone but Lorig! Check it out: (more...)

Return to Olympia City Council: Parking project canceled for now

On Tuesday SeaSol returned to Olympia City Council, joined by many Olympia supporters. After a short picket outside the Council entrance, several SeaSol supporters (including Patricia herself) spoke during the Council session about Patricia's ordeal at the hands of Lorig Associates, and why Olympia should not pick Lorig as their contractor to build a multi million dollar parking garage. When the parking development item came up for a decision, mayor Doug Mah made an unexpected turnaround an (more...)

Lorig Sues to Silence Seasol!

In an attempt to gag our ongoing anti-discrimination protests, the real estate company Lorig Associates has launched a lawsuit against Seattle Solidarity Network. Their lawyers are the notorious union-busting firm Jackson Lewis. They are attempting to get an injunction to prevent SeaSol from participating in any activity that "disparages Lorig" in any way, as well as seeking unspecified damages. The first court date will be next Tuesday, November 24th. SeaSol is a volunteer organization whose me (more...)

Victory - Threat of direct action halts eviction!

In early November, Kiesha and her family were served with an unjust eviction notice for nothing more than a paperwork technicality. Kiesha's husband was listed on some forms as a tenant but had been unable to sign the lease as he was in Iraq. After returning he was greeted by unwarranted harassment by the management staff and finally threatened with eviction. As good tenants who paid their rent on time and had no complaints against them, Kiesha's husband and daughter were suddenly faced with e (more...)

Victory: Tenant action takes back stolen deposit

Tephra, an active SeaSol volunteer, lived at the Capitola Apartments for six months before deciding to move on to a better living situation. Like many before her, she found the building terribly managed, with the landlord leaving tenants' basic requests unaddressed for months at a time. When Tephra decided to leave the Capitola, she gave 30 days notice and deep-cleaned the apartment, leaving it in better condition she found it. After a walkthrough in which the manager agreed the place was in (more...)

Belltown tenants resist rent hikes, fight for relocation

Not long before Christmas, Sound Mental Health (SMH), the property managers of downtown Seattle's Kasota apartments, began going door to door in the building trying to get tenants to sign a new lease. SMH houses both mentally ill 'clients' and roughly seventeen low-income tenants at the Kasota, but the new lease seemed to indicate that they wanted that to change. The terms of the new lease for SMH's non-client tenants included rent increases by as much as fifty percent. Many of the low-i (more...)

Victory at Kasota

This fight now seems to be over. In a letter delivered to Kasota Apartments residents and to media, Sound Mental Health (SMH) has announced that it will fully meet the tenants' and SeaSol's demands. Any non-SMH-client Kasota resident who wants to move out of the building will receive $3,000 in relocation assistance. Any who choose to stay will see a rent increase of no more than 10% over the next year. This is a huge victory for the low-income tenants at the Kasota, who until recently ha (more...)

Victory: solidarity stops slumlord retaliation

Here is the story of our latest fight, in John's words: How I faced down a vindictive landlord by John Vogt Loren Ruud was my landlord. The apartment had bedbugs in it. I tried to get rid of them, I bombed it three times, but I couldn't get rid of them. It was an old apartment. The place wasn't up to code. It was terrible. I had to call a crisis hotline. I also had to call the housing authority, because the apartment had bedbugs, it had an unsecured door, and it had dry rot i (more...)

Can you spare a dime for a developer in need?

Bruce Lorig, CEO and owner of Lorig Associates, has fallen on hard times. So desperate is his need for money, he has been forced to sue his own former receptionist, Patricia, and the rest of Seattle Solidarity Network in hopes of squeezing a little money out of us after we protested racism at his company. Instead of bringing relief, this lawsuit has impoverished the developer even further, as the law firm he has hired piles on endless fees while promising him results that never come. Beginn (more...)

Tenant action beats money-grubbing banker

Megan and Alan's old landlord wouldn't return their $1300 deposit. A small claims court judge ordered the landlord to return the money, but she - the owner of five properties and a Wells Fargo loan officer - still refused to give it back. Megan and Alan, both low income workers, couldn't afford to let her steal it. They joined SeaSol and prepared to fight for their money back. On Monday April 5, Megan, Alan, and a small crowd of others marched into the lobby of the landlord's office at Wells (more...)

Demand delivery at Nelson Properties

We are supporting Maria as she tells her ex-landlord to give her back her stolen deposit and to stop harassing her with bogus bills. (more...)

Victory in Nelson fight - time to celebrate!

This fight against Nelson Properties is now over! For the past five weeks we have postered every week around Nelson's properties warning potential renters about the company. We also began a tenants' rights investigation at their buildings, delivered letters to the owner's neighbors informing them that there was a slumlord in their midst, and held two small pickets in front of Nelson's offices to warn potential tenants not to do business with them. Last Thursday we found out that proper (more...)

Talks break down as Lorig demands permanent gag on future abuses

Three months of offers and counter-offers between developer Lorig Associates and SeaSol seem to be ending in failure. The sticking point: Lorig's insistence on a permanent license to engage in predatory and/or racist behavior against workers, tenants, and communities in the future, without ever facing any form of criticism from SeaSol. Gaining this extreme form of protection is apparently very important to Lorig - so much so that Chief Operating Officer Tom Fitzsimmons (who you may remember (more...)

Victory: direct action stops predatory lawsuit dead in its tracks

Alejandro moved in to one of Victor Venavides' "Delridge Cottages" in West Seattle last year with his cousin. The place was rundown, had rats, and Venavides repeatedly ignored several requests for repairs, including a shower that went unfixed and unusable for 25 days and a stove Alejandro had pay to have repaired himself. When Alejandro's cousin decided to move out, Venavides told Alejandro that he was expected to pay an additional $500 security deposit. Alejandro said he didn't understand w (more...)

Victory: Lorig drops lawsuit, pays $22,000 to fired worker

After thirteen months of aggressive actions, we have finally won our fight against developer Lorig Associates. The have granted our "final offer" demands, dropping their lawsuit against us and paying fired secretary Patricia $22,000 in back-pay compensation (though they won't call it that). This fight has been longer and harder than any of us ever imagined it would be. The company brought in a major nationwide union-busting law firm to try and crush us with lawsuits against both our or (more...)