BBJ Boutique Linen, a multimillion-dollar company that operates in several U.S. cities, forces up to 95 percent of its mostly immigrant workforce to work as temporaries with no benefits, earning the minimum wage of $5.15 an hour. Many have worked as temps for more than five years. In early May, 40 workers, fed up with the working conditions and mistreatment in the plant, walked off the job and contacted UNITE. Four were later fired.

Maricella Reyes told the rally that the company had dismissed her, believing her to be part of the union-organizing drive. Sophia Hernandez said she had been fired for asking for a wage increase.

Illinois Democratic Party congressman Luis Gutiérrez declared support for the workers' right to organize.

Domico Mendoza, 60, said the company informed him the reason for his termination was that he was too old and not working fast enough.

"I am demanding justice for myself and the fired workers," he said.  
 
 
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