Immigrants and Remittences Campaign - CISPES supports TIGRA
Learn more about the May 11 action targetting Western Union and endorsed by CISPES: http://www.thenation.com/doc/20070528/thompson
And Take Action: URGE WESTERN UNION TO SUPPORT FAMILIES WORLDWIDE--ADOPT THE TCBA NOW!
Week of Action: June 11-15
Call, email, and send a fax in you own letterhead to Christina Gold with this message:
"We support TIGRA's (Transnational Institute for Grassroots Researchand Action) demands for Western Union to be a good corporate citizenand meet with TIGRA representatives to negotiate in good faith"
"Apoyamos las demandas de TIGRA (Transnational Institute forGrassroots Research and Action) que piden que Western Union sea un buenciudadano empresarial y se reuna con los representantes de TIGRA paranegociar de buena fe"
| Phone: | 1+720-332-1000> (type "0" for operator, then ask for Christina Gold) |
| Email: | [email protected] |
| Fax: | 1+720-332-4761 |
Immigrants Push Western Union to Share the Wealth
Press
09 de mayo de 2007 | La Opinion
Friday May 11 2007 | The Nation
Click for a slideshow created by Alfredo Davila with Story and Audioi by Zoe Sullivan: large or small
Press Release
Today, were putting Western Union andthe multi-billion dollar remittances industry on notice: the days oftaking advantage of our love are numbered. Were giving Western Union,as the undisputed leader of this industry, 100 days to adopt our keydemands to reduce their fees, provide a fair exchange rate, and committo community reinvestment.
These are the central provisions of TIGRAs Transnational Community Benefits Agreement that reflects the hopes and aspirations of remitters and their families worldwide.
Weve convened representatives from 15 citiesin the US, and from migrant groups/networks from the Philippines,Mexico, and Europe to personally deliver this message to WesternUnions Board of Directors, because our previous attempts to engagethem have not been productive.
On September 15, 2006, after more than 51 organizations from eight countries discussed, refined, and adopted the TCBA, TIGRA sent a copy to Western Union seeking their response. We never got one.
In late November, 2006, working withNorthStar Asset Management and United for a Fair Economy/ResponsibleWealth, we submitted a Shareholder Resolution that directs WesternUnion to study the impact of its policies and practices on low-incomeimmigrant communities. Western Unions response was to challenge thisshareholder proposal with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
We gave them another chance to valuetransparency over secrecy and asked them to retract their challenge andallow this modest proposal to go through. Western Union chose to ignoreour plea. By late March, 2007, the SEC ruled in favor of the challenge.
So were here in New York City onMothers Day to impress upon Western Union that a remittance, to us, isnot just a financial transaction, it is an expression of love. Itsustains our families and communities, and it signifies the sacrificeand resilience of women thats at the core of this campaign.
We urge Western Union, and the rest ofthe industry, to give a meaningful gift to millions of mothers andfamilies worldwide. Reduce your fees. Set a fair exchange rate. Commit$1 per transaction to a community reinvestment fund to directly benefitour communities. Our families deserve nothing less.
"I am a CISPES supporter because continuing to fight for social justice and a more people-centered country means continuing the dream and sacrifice of thousands of my fellow Salvadorans who died for that vision.” - Padre Carlos, New York City
