File spoon-archives/aut-op-sy.archive/aut-op-sy_1997/aut-op-sy.9708, message 51


Date: Sat, 09 Aug 1997 08:47:03 -0500
From: Michael Novick <mnovick-AT-laedu.lalc.k12.ca.us>
Subject: AUT: Dozens of Mexicano workers walk out at Carlsbad plant


Dozens of workers walk out at Carlsbad plant | Employees protest after
>  being informed of layoffs due Oct. 1
>
>  CARLSBAD -- Workers at a tool manufacturing plant here walked off
>  the job yesterday after they were told that there will be a layoff
>  Oct. 1 and their jobs would be transferred to an employment agency.
>  
>  About 200 employees of Republic Tool and Manufacturing Corp. walked
>  out at 7 a.m., according to Belen Rosas, head of the Union de
>  Trabajadores Sin Frontera, a labor organizing group concerned about
>  the primarily Spanish-speaking employees.
>  
>  Rosas said union leadership asked to talk with company officials
>  but were told to leave the property. Management then called police.
>  
>  However, Republic Tool general manager Ron Eaton estimated only 50
>  to 60 workers left their jobs at the company, which makes
>  fertilizer spreaders. He said the workers were not represented by a
>  collective bargaining agent. Eaton said about 100 workers were
>  informed last week their jobs would be eliminated and the work
>  contracted to another company. Workers will be offered automatic
>  transfers to the contracting company, although Eaton could not say
>  whether their pay or benefits would remain the same. Most of the
>  workers affected are involved in the assembly of fertilizer
>  spreaders and earn minimum wage or "slightly more," Eaton said.
>  "Our business is highly seasonal and there is a segment of the work
>  force, unfortunately, that is susceptible to layoffs caused by
>  business cycles," Eaton said.
>  
>  The workers were informed of the pending action last week, and were
>  encouraged to transfer to the new company, apply for vacant
>  positions at Republic Tool or look for jobs outside the company,
>  Eaton said.
>  
>  Many of those who walked off their jobs have worked for Republic
>  for years -- some as long as 15 years -- and have recently had
>  their work week cut to three days and then two days.
>  
>  Last week, workers said, they were told to sign a document, which
>  many of the Spanish speakers could not read, and if they didn't
>  sign, they were told they would not receive their paychecks, Rosas
>  said.
>  
>  Hispanic activist Ozzie Venzor said that is illegal and he will
>  consult with a labor attorney on behalf of the workers.
>  
>  "They feel it is unjust to be let go and to have to go to an
>  agency" to regain their jobs, said Venzor. "They will lose all
>  their benefits."
>  
>  (Copyright 1997)
>  
>                      _____via IntellX_____
>  {A3:SanDiegoUnionTribune-0807.00008}    8/7/97
>
>
>
>
In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is
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educational purposes only.

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