Vol. 75/No. 47      December 26, 2011

The firings took place as workers are fighting to organize a union called Workers for Justice.

Some of the strongest support for the union is in the kitchen “where most of the firings took place,” Christian Torres, a chef who worked in the college dining hall for seven years, told the Militant. “When we decided to fight a lot of students decided to join us.

“Many people don’t know that working in a kitchen is heavy and dangerous,” Torres said. He rolled up his sleeves and showed this reporter burn scars on both arms.

Pomona College officials claim the firings have nothing to do with the unionization drive. They say that most were in response to a complaint earlier this year accusing College President David Oxtoby and his administration of illegal hiring practices.

The demonstration began at the Frary Dining Hall. Workers and students marched in, demanding those terminated be allowed to return and chanting, “We are here to work.” They were turned away by managers.

Demonstrators then marched to an intersection close to Oxtoby’s home. Fifteen activists sat down in an intersection and were arrested when they refused to leave. The protesters wore T-shirts with the picture and name of a fired worker they represented as well their years of employment.

“I am here because this is wrong,” said Arielle Zionts, a sophomore at nearby Pitzer College. “It is divisive. The university is doing this while at the same time they have a scholarship program for undocumented students. It’s hypocritical.”

The fight to win the workers’ jobs back is winning broader support, including from the American Civil Liberties Union and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund.  
 
 
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