The Militant - March 26, 2001 -- Workers in Georgia honor picket line set up by strikers from California

Vol.65/No.12 March 26, 2001

Workers in Georgia honor picket line set up by strikers from California

BY DEAN HAZLEWOOD
TIGNALL, Georgia--Operations were shut down at the Hollander Home Fashions pillow factory here March 12 when workers refused to cross a picket line set up by three strikers from the Vernon, California, plants. Most of the workers at the plant, who number more than 80, joined the pickets and milled around at the gates in high spirits despite the driving rain. Like the California strikers, the workers at this plant are organized by the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees (UNITE).

The workers here have no pension plan but intend to fight for one when their contract expires in March 2002. Many of them saw this as round one in that fight.

About half a dozen second-shift workers initially crossed the line but soon came back out and went home, much to the delight of the unionists at the gates.

A bonfire and several awnings were set up on a supporter's lawn opposite the plant, and food was available. Many copies of a letter sent out to the picket line by the company, advising workers to return to work immediately, ended up as fuel for the fire.

The next day the picket was even larger, and included at least a couple of workers who had crossed the line the previous day. It also included a few workers from other factories organized by UNITE.

The increasingly frustrated bosses announced that if workers did not return by March 14 they would lose their jobs. They also threatened to bus in replacement workers.

As we go to press, the pickets remain.

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