wfn.org | Church task force plans sessions to hear workers' concerns

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

May 8, 2001    News media contact: Joretta Purdue ·(202) 546-8722·Washington
10-71B{225}

WASHINGTON (UMNS) - A United Methodist task force on labor issues is
planning two listening sessions to give low-wage workers a chance to voice
their concerns.

The Concern for Workers Task Force, meeting May 4-5, decided to seek funding
to organize listening posts to precede each of its next two meetings.

The group formed as the result of action by General Conference, the
denomination's highest legislative body, which met last year in Cleveland.
General Conference adopted a resolution to educate the church about
workplace justice in the context of the Christian faith, and to advocate for
workers' rights in local and international struggles. In addition to
focusing on education and advocacy, the assembly authorized exploring
collaborations with labor groups and other faith organizations, and
assisting the churchwide agencies in implementing resolutions related to
workers' rights.

During the meeting, the task force prepared for a second four-year period of
work. The members sought ways to build on the work of the previous task
force, which created a database and held an international consultation. The
task force asked staff members to prepare a list of workers' campaigns that
the church has endorsed. 

The group also decided to improve its labor issues page on the United
Methodist Board of Church and Society's Web site. 

Members decided to seek an additional bishop to join Bishop Jesse Dewitt of
Ann Arbor, Mich., on the task force. Last quadrennium's task force had two
bishops: Jonathan D. Keaton, Ohio East Area, and Fritz Mutti, Kansas Area.

Three officers were elected: chairwoman, Katie Foster, Ellenwood, Ga.; vice
chairman, the Rev. Darren Cushman Wood, Indianapolis; and recorder, Rachel
A. Cornwell, Atlanta. 

Other members include the Rev. Israel I. Alvaran, Manila, Philippines; Sara
Amos, Washington; Willy Baptist, Philadelphia; Leone Jose Bicchieri,
Chicago; Jeanette Bartz, New Boston, Mich.; Nelson Carrasquillo, Glassboro,
N.J.; Nancy Eubanks, Brownsville, Tenn.; the Rev. Pharis Harvey, Washington;
Mary M. Melvin, Tampa, Fla.; the Rev. Tove Odland, Oslo, Norway; Willa
Sudduth, El Cerrito, Calif., Michael Sullivan, Washington; the Rev. James
Swanson Sr., Columbus, Ga.; and the Rev. H. Ulises Torres, New Bedford,
Mass.

Staff assigned to the task force are Mark W. Harrison with the Board of
Church and Society, Peggy Hutchison with the churchwide Board of Global
Ministries and Marilyn Clement of the Women's Division of the Board of
Global Ministries. The Rev. Michael Szpak, labor relations coordinator with
the AFL-CIO, is continuing as an observer.

The next meeting of the task force is planned for Dec. 5-8 in the
Delaware-Maryland area.

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United Methodist News Service
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