Along with printed signs put out by Iron Workers Local 272, handmade ones highlighted many of the issues, which included, "$6 is not a living a wage," "Workers want unions," and "No Fear." Protesters chanted "Union, union!" and "Sí se puede" (Yes we can).

At the rally workers wore "No Fear" buttons and bandannas, which emphasized their determination to continue the fight despite the firing of three workers for their union activity. Edwin Wilson, one of those discharged by the company, told the crowd that he is "happier than ever because now I have all of you with me. Don't be afraid. Victory is ours!"

Wilson said the typical response by a boss at the aluminum window company to any protest over working conditions is, "'If you like it, fine. If you don't, punch out and get out.' They don't pay us for the work we do or give us the respect we deserve as working people." Wilson was paid $7.25 per hour to load, unload, and drive the company's truck.

Conditions at this plant of about 116 workers are similar to those faced by thousands of others. Ivan Suarez, 29, has worked at RC Aluminum for six years and makes $6.40 per hour. He said they need a union because there is mistreatment of workers by the company. He pointed to pay of $5.15 per hour and receiving only two vacation days per year as examples. Many of the workers said the boss pays employees based on favoritism, not seniority.

Alberto Echezabal, with six months at the company, said a union was needed to fight the "inhuman conditions." When asked to compare his experiences as a telephone worker in Cuba and his experiences here, Echezabal explained, "Here there is no freedom of expression. There are people working here for seven years who only make $5.15 per hour. If you ask for a raise, you're fired."

A number of other unionists from the industrial area bordering Hialeah participated in the rally at the aluminum window plant. This included 20 postal workers from a nearby facility and several garment workers who are members of the United Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees (UNITE). Dozens of iron workers who install the windows came out to help the union organizing drive. RC Aluminum workers point out that they often work side-by-side with members of the iron workers doing the same installation job, and that the discussions between the two played an important role in convincing them that they also needed a union.

UNITE members engaged in a fight to win their first contract at Goya Foods, located down the road from RC Aluminum, came to the rally. The workers there voted in the union in October 1998. The company fired four workers after they attended a union rally last July. In early May the National Labor Relations Board requested an injunction against the company, demanding it recognize the union and reinstate all four to full-time positions.

Mike Italie is a garment worker in Miami. Rollande Girard, a sewing machine operator, and Mary Ann Schmidt contributed to this article.  
 
 
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