CHICAGO — “We are two months into our fight, and no one has crossed the picket line,” union steward Leon Garrett, one of some 120 members of Teamsters Local 705 who have been on strike since June 9 at Mauser Packaging Solutions here in Little Village, told the Militant. They recondition 55-gallon steel drums used for chemical transport. “Most of us are Black and Hispanic, and we are not going to let this company divide us.”
Some 250 Local 705 members and strike supporters gathered outside Mauser company headquarters Aug. 5 in suburban Oak Park for a solidarity rally. A loud siren went off in the parking lot, drowning out the speakers. Then it fell silent. Some workers laughed it off, saying this is the way Mauser plays their games and tries to interfere with the union.
After the rally participants carried out a short march through the parking lot, chanting, “What do we want? A fair contract! When do we want it? Now!”
Strikers said there is more at stake than wages. The union is demanding improvements to unsafe working conditions, better break scheduling, and reasonable shift start times. One of their demands is for the bosses to agree not to allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents onto workplace property unless they have a warrant.
“My Hispanic co-workers know that we fight for everyone,” Garrett said. “If you get in trouble, we are there for you. If immigration marshals come into the plant, they must present completed warrants signed by judges. They can’t just be snatching people.”
Little Village is a densely populated Chicago neighborhood where most residents are of Mexican heritage. In recent months there has been a step-up in ICE arrests and detentions of immigrant workers.
Martín Rico is originally from Mexico and has worked at Mauser for two years unloading trucks. “We all have rights, including immigrants,” he told this reporter at the rally. “I have no idea whether ICE will come for us or not, but at least with a union we have the possibility to fight back together.”
Garrett reports they are receiving support. “People bring by water, pop and candy. Folks from local restaurants bring food right to the line and cook it up for us on the spot.”
Bring your solidarity to the picket line at 3201 S. Millard Ave! Pickets are there 24 hours a day Monday-Friday, and from 5 a.m. to noon on Saturday and Sunday.