Show Some Union Love This Valentine’s Day
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Monday is Valentine’s Day and the last-minute rush is on this weekend to get the right candy, flowers, wine or champagne to show your loved one how much you care. How about showing some love for union brothers and sisters at the same time by buying union-made products.
Several websites highlight union-made treats such as candy–like the ever-popular candy hearts and chocolate treats made by members of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM); snack foods by members of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW); or fruit and nuts from members of the United Farm Workers (UFW).
The Union Plus website has a wide-ranging list devoted to union-made candy products. Click here to see what Valentine’s day treats will help support other union members. As with a lot of traditionally union-made products, more are being cross-produced (some union-made, some not; some U.S.-made, some not), so be sure to read labels to ensure that your candy is union-made in the United States.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day by Remembering Colombian Flower Workers
Take a minute this Valentine’s Day to send a gift to the women who cut and trimmed the flowers you give to your loved one. Six days a week, thousands of workers at flower plantations in Colombia cut and trim at least 350 flowers an hour. In the weeks before holidays like Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day, the work extends deep into the night—all for about $8.25 a day, less than the cost of a bouquet of carnations in the United States.
You can help these women workers by making a donation to support the basic rights of flower workers in Colombia. The U.S. Labor Education in the Americas Project (USLEAP) has designed four beautiful Valentine’s Day e-cards, each featuring stories of struggle and victories and a photo of Colombian flower workers. In exchange for your contribution to USLEAP’s Flower Worker Economic Justice Campaign, your loved one will receive a Valentine’s Day e-card with a personalized message from you inside.
AFT, Save the Children Valentine Card Contest to Unite a Generation
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AFT and the children’s advocacy group Save the Children have partnered in a Valentine’s Day 2010 Card Contest as part of Save the Children’s campaign to end child poverty in the nation. You can help pick the winning cards.
The five winning designs—one each from kindergarten through grade 2; grades 3-5; 6-8; 9-10; and 11-12—will be printed on cards and used to create a Valentine’s Day card set. Those who donate to benefit Save the Children’s programs will receive the gift card set free. Each winning artist will receive a $500 U.S. savings bond.
