Program Information

NYC Bakery Workers threatened by Homeland Security

Series:

Subtitle:

Program Type:

Weekly Program

Featured Speakers/Commentators:

Contributor:

Ken Nash and Mimi Rosenberg Contact Contributor

Date Published:

April 16, 2017, 10:42 a.m.

Summary: Immigrant Food Factory Workers Threatened with Mass Termination Choose Resistance

Not One Step Back - 'Ni Uno Paso Atras'

Dozens at Tom Cat Bakery in Queens given 10 days notice of dismissal following investigation by Trumps Dept. of Home-land Security
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Longtime employees demanded company stand up to federal governments probe
with
Diana Marino, lead organizer and
Tom Cat Bakery worker Hector Solis, from Brandworkers, a non-profit organization that brings food manufacturing workers together to fight for good jobs and a sustainable food system

Tom Cat Bakery workers are protesting the threatened mass firing of dozens of immigrant workers following a Department of Homeland Security investigation. As members of a labor organization called
Brandworkers, the workers decided to stand united and call for resistance from around the country.Their last protest was held outside Trump Tower in Manhattan and included numerous NYC elected officials

Sabino Milian, a worker at the factory and member of Brandworkers said We refuse to be thrown away like the bakery's garbage, and we will advance forward together. The workers, many of whom have a decade of experience or more at the citys oldest artisanal bakery, have said We work hard, pay taxes and have given so much to make Tom Cat into a hugely successful company. Tom Cat officials told workers that the Department of Homeland Security had been
investigating the company and then told almost 30 workers they would be fired if they do not provide new employment documents.

Workers demanded the company stick up for its employees rather than cower to the Trump administrations bullying. Workers called on management to cooperate with them to explore challenges to the Dept. of Homeland Security investigation. More broadly, Tom Cat employees called on fellow workers around the country,
particularly immigrants, indigenous peoples, African Americans and other marginalized communities to rise with them, culminating in a General Strike on May 1.

Credits: produced by Ken Nash and Mimi Rosenberg

Notes: please notify us if you plan to broadcast this program - knash@igc.org

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