CONTACT: JOE SHANSKY
(414) 218-3331
Workers Join Labor, Faith Leaders Today for “Special Delivery“ to Management
MILWAUKEE-
Community support for the striking workers of Palermo’s Pizza management continues to pour in from across Wisconsin and the country.
From college students to elected officials such as State Rep. State Rep. JoCasta Zamarippa and Sen. Mark Pocan, community members across Wisconsin are standing in solidarity with plant employees of Palermo’s Pizza, who went on strike one month ago, on June 1st against the company’s union-busting tactics and health and safety violations.
Wisconsinites and people around the country are outraged by the company’s retaliatory efforts and their attempts to belittle workers’ serious health and safety concerns and desire for a voice. They will mark one month on strike by organizing two actions this week:
1) “Pipin’ Hot Petition Delivery”- Monday July 2nd, Palermo’s 3301 W. Canal Street 1 pm
An online petition calling on Palermo’s to stop the harassment, has gathered 15,000 signatures by pizza lovers across the country. On Monday July 2nd workers, joined by elected officials, will deliver stacks of signed petitions to management in pizza boxes as a “special delivery”, calling for the company to immediate reinstatement strikers without retaliation and honor the labor dispute.
We invite the media and community to be part of this event.
2) “Sick of Working Sick” Action and Press Conference- Thursday July 5th, Palermo’s Plant 3301 W. Canal Street. 1 pm
A serious concern for organizing a union at Palermo’s has been the lack of paid sick days for workers. Plant employees are given three sick days in a six month period- if they take any more days off than that, they are immediately fired. Workers are joining with the national membership organization 9to5, who is a leader in the fight for paid sick days. They will be hosting a press conference to set the record straight on exactly what conditions inside the plant have led to the need to organize. We invite the public to attend and to show support.
In the past month, students, religious leaders and working people have walked the picket line in support for the workers, donated supplies by the carload, and most importantly, contributed over $40,000 to a strike fund for the workers.
The national AFL-CIO, the United Steelworkers and other local labor unions have also supported the worker’s organizing efforts. A national boycott of Palermo products is underway and growing. Already businesses such as the Riverwest Co-op Grocery & Café owners have also committed to standing with workers in in defense of the right to organize.
Laura Torres, a grandmother and single mother of six says: “In my 10 years at the plant, I have seen several co-workers rushed to the emergency room or requiring other medical attention for gashes and wounds they received at work. We organized the union in order to make the plant safer for us all. But in response the company has brought in replacement workers who seem even more at risk than we were.”
