To add your organization or union to this statement, email MIRAc at miracmn@gmail.com.
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The undersigned unions and organizations from Minnesota wholeheartedly support you, the workers of Palermo’s Pizza, in your strike to win union representation and justice on the job.
After years of trying to improve working conditions, when you filed for your union to be recognized in May and then went on strike in June, you have faced massive threats, intimidation and retaliation, including more than 75 workers unjustly losing their jobs and a sudden ‘immigration audit’ – all within days of signing petitions to gain union representation. We stand with the AFL-CIO, Voces de la Frontera, the American Federation of Teachers, and all of our brothers and sisters in labor, in the immigrant community, and in the Milwaukee community in seeking justice for all of you.
What you seek is the ability to exercise a fundamental right: to have a voice in your workplace. It is wrong for anyone to stand in the way of the exercise of that right.
Palermo’s is a company that celebrates the fact that it was founded by immigrants, describing its history as the “realization of a dream” in “the land of opportunity.” Many of the Palermo’s workers are also immigrants who came to this country looking to realize your own dreams and create opportunities for your families. You seek what all workers seek: decent pay, a safe workplace and a chance to give your children a better life.
You have shown great courage, determination and unity in fighting for a voice at work, fighting for recognition for your union. We urge Palermo’s to respect your human and democratic right to union representation, and we call for the reinstatement of all workers.
We call on Minnesotans to:
- Donate to Palermo’s workers’ strike fund (https://www.wepay.com/donations/183059),
- Sign the letter to Costco urging them to stop carrying Palermo’s products: http://act.aflcio.org/c/18/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=4786 and
- Join with the AFL-CIO’s national boycott of Palermo’s Pizza products until the workers’ union is recognized and all fired workers reinstated.
In solidarity:
Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAc)
Minnesota Anti-War Committee
Socialist Action – Twin Cities
Students for a Democratic Society – U of MN
Welfare Rights Committee
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More information and updates on the Palermo’s workers struggle are at www.sliceofjustice.com
MIRAC 