Prior to the strike 90 percent of the workers had signed cards to join the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees (UNITE). With the settlement of the strike, all 100 workers in the plant now have union recognition, joining nearly 2,000 other laundry workers in the Chicago area who are also members of UNITE. They voted to ratify a three-year contract by a decisive margin.

Before the strike, workers started at $6.50 an hour, with most topping off at $7.25. The agreement includes two wage increases of 35 cents each in the first year of the contract, and approximately 5 percent the subsequent two years. The contract provides for an additional holiday, some paid sick-day coverage, improved health insurance, and a pension.

The contract also stipulates that Five Star must notify UNITE if the Immigration and Naturalization Service police has contacted the company, and that workers submitting new information to the company after obtaining legal residence papers cannot be fired.

Most workers interviewed by the Militant favored the new contract, saying it is a step forward. One young worker, wearing a UNITE T-shirt as she headed into the plant, said that getting in the union and a contract is a start that they can build on. She also reported that the boss has been writing up more of the workers since the strike ended, and that tensions on the laundry plant floor between the company and the workers are sharper now.

Two young workers, originally from Mexico, said the contract provided better terms than what the workers had before winning a union.

One worker interviewed said she felt there was more "division" on the job now and that it would have been better to bring in the Production Workers Union, favored by the company during the strike.

Lisa Potash and Lisa-Marie Rottach are sewing machine operators and members of UNITE in Chicago. Potash is also the Socialist Workers candidate for U.S. Congress in the 5th District.  
 
 
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