—ON THE PICKET LINE—

Maggie Trowe, Editor

 

Peeps candy workers fight post-strike ‘replacement’ of unionists

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — More than 50 members and supporters of Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco and Grain Millers Local 6 held an informational picket line across from the Just Born candy plant here Oct. 22 to protest the company permanently replacing 50 unionists after a strike that ended Sept. 30. The plant produces marshmallow Peeps.

Carpenters and BCTGM unionists from Hershey joined the picket, as did Katie McGinty, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, and her opponent, Socialist Workers Party candidate John Staggs.

During the strike the company hired 56 replacement workers, and 70 of the 400 members of the local crossed the picket line.

“The owners act like pillars of the community,” BCTGM organizer John Price said, but leave experienced workers out on the street. “It’s vindictive.”

Debbie Harden, who was called back to work, said the unionists have organized a fund and food drive.

“The replacement workers are permitted to harass union members, but if we talk to them we’re called instigators and threatened with the loss of our jobs,” she said, describing the atmosphere in the plant.

Jose Santiago came out to the picket line after his shift. “I spend my lunch breaks with my people,” he said.

— George Chalmers

Illinois egg workers strike for union, equal pay for women

LANSING, Ill. — Seventy workers walked out of Michael Foods in this suburb south of Chicago Oct. 17, protesting lower pay for women, poor working conditions and lack of safety. They want a union to represent the 120 workers at this egg pasteurization plant. The workers, majority Mexican-born, linked up with the United Food and Commercial Workers and Arise Chicago after contacting Univision Spanish-language television for help.

“The bosses threatened to fire us and intimidated some of the workers who came out and talked to us later that day,” Nadia Mellin told the Militant.

As some 60 workers and family members held a cookout and played loud music in front of the plant Oct. 22, strike leaders announced workers would begin returning to work that night.

“All the workers returned, and none were fired,” Jorge Mújica of Arise Chicago told the Militant Oct. 26 “But then the company posted a notice that on Nov. 4 they will require workers to comply with E-Verify,” the federal program that checks immigration status. “UFCW Local 881 has filed for a union representation election and is negotiating a date.”

“Women get $8.45 an hour, while men get $10,” Mellin said. “We may do different jobs, but they’re as hard as the men’s jobs.”

“When men call off, women do their jobs,” said Carlos Ortiz, who loads eggs on the line, “and women relieve men for breaks. They should get equal pay.”

Several workers said the pasteurization equipment creates a very hot work environment. “And there’s no air conditioning at all,” said Ortiz.

Jorge Pineda said he had been badly cut when a machine came down on his fingers. He had to call a relative to take him to the hospital to get them stitched.

“They don’t call an ambulance,” he said. “You have to get a friend or family member to take you to the hospital. Then the company doesn’t pay anything.” He pulled out a bill for $1,286.37 for the treatment.

“When you get hurt, you don’t get paid for time missed, or the company uses your vacation pay if you have any,” said Mellin. “This is why we need a union. None of us has ever been in a union, and none has ever been on strike before, but we had to do something.”

— Ilona Gersh