On the picket line

Fired R.I. workers demand pay

Owners of the Colibri jewelry plant in East Providence, R.I., thought they could just lock the workers out of the plant in January and auction off the plant’s assets without a fight. But taking a cue from the heroic workers at Republic Windows & Doors in Chicago, the 280 unorganized workers are putting up a fight for the 60 days’ pay and 60 days’ benefits that are mandated by federal law—as well as for severance pay based on years worked. The workers reached out to local workers’ rights groups like Fuerza Laboral and R.I. Jobs with Justice for help, and together  formed Colibri Workers for Rights and Justice. Then on March 19 they picketed outside the plant during an auction of the plant’s assets. Chanting, “We’ll go away when we get our pay,” about 200 picketers lined the plant’s parking lot. In four separate waves workers sat down, blocking access to the lot, until 14 were arrested. Shirley Samayoa, who had worked at the plant for more than 30 years, was taken away in handcuffs. She told JWJ: “When they shut down Colibri, they expected we would just go away. But we’re not going away. We’re going to keep fighting until they pay us what they owe us.” (www.jwj.org) The Providence City Council and R.I. House of Representatives have both passed resolutions supporting the workers’ demands; the workers are pushing for a state law that mandates workers must receive full pay and benefits before banks receive a penny. For more information about the Colibri campaign, see www.fuerza-laboral.org.

Auto parts workers choose dignity

Even though it meant the East Syracuse New Process Gear auto parts plant where they worked would close, members of the United Auto Workers voted 580 to 530 on March 20 to reject a contract from Magna International that would have decimated wages. Joe Addona, an assembler on the third shift, expressed the feelings of the majority: “I’m not turning my back on a job. I have to draw the line some place.” (Newsday) The contract would have slashed wages over three years from more than $29 per hour to $16.

NYC restaurant owner to eat $3.3 million

The owner of eight New York City restaurants, including the famous Ollie’s Noodle Shop, all of which for years violated overtime and minimum-wage laws agreed March 18 to fork over $2.3 million in back pay to 813 workers. An additional $1 million owed 100 workers at a ninth restaurant is still being negotiated. The combined $3.3 million settlement sets a state record for labor law enforcement. Some workers are owed as much as $30,000. One waiter worked 12-hour days, six days a week for two years, and yet she only earned $350 a month before tips. The owner also agreed to allow the state Labor Department to conduct seminars at the restaurants to educate the workers, mostly Chinese immigrants, about their rights under labor law. The owner still faces a federal lawsuit by the Urban Justice Center on behalf of 44 employees at three of the restaurants.