100 Latino Workers Rally for Union Election at South Suburban Egg Pasteurizing Plant

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Yesterday, 100 Latino workers at Michael Foods, Inc. in Lansing, Il, joined by local clergy supporters, held a rally for union election at the South Suburban Egg Pasteurizing Plant.

The purpose of the media conference and rally, held at Michael Foods Plant, 2963 Bernice Rd., Lansing, IL, was to stop illegal interference on union leaders.

Over half the workers at Michael Foods, Inc. in Lansing, Illinois, walked out on October 17th in protest of unfair working conditions. Workers report sexual harassment, safety accidents, differential pay by gender, and even a 27-hour shift.
 
Workers went back to work after signing cards to petition for a Union election with United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 881. 
 
On Monday, November 7th, the company locked-out the workers after hiring a security company, AFIMAC, experts on “assisting clients with strike security, contingency planning and high risk terminations.” The company also hired replacement workers from NEXUS temp agency, based in Hammond, Indiana.  The union has filed several charges with the National Labor Relations Board against the company for unlawful retaliation against the workers, and interference in their right to organize to improve their working conditions.
 
The workers will rally the day before their scheduled union election on Friday, November 18th.  
Workers demand that the company abide by the law, allow the workers to go back to work, and to stop intimidating them in retaliation for organizing to improve their working conditions.

For more information, contact:

Nadia Mellin | Worker | 708-200-8246 (English)
Gabriel Cabrera | Worker | 219-433-9615 (español)

Jorge Mujica | Arise Chicago Strategic Campaigns Organizer
773-844-9910 | Jorge@ arisechicago.org (English & español)

Moises Zavala | UFCW Local 881 VP/Director of Organizing

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