Saturday, December 12, 2009

Immigrant Laundry Workers on Strike in MA

Centro Presente Stands in Solidarity with Striking Immigrant Workers

Somerville, MA, Dec. 11 - Over 400 immigrant workers of Angelica Textile Services in Somerville initiated a strike on Thursday, December 10th at 11:00 am. A national corporation, Angelica provides laundry and linen services to area hospitals and healthcare facilities through its Somerville facilities located across the street from the offices of Centro Presente on Inner Belt Road in East Somerville.

The strikers had been working without a contract since December 1st. Negotiations between the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Local 1445, representing the workers, and the company stalled on the provision of a living wage and improved benefits, including parental leave and affordable healthcare. Of the 450 workers, mostly immigrants, only 23 did not join the strike on the first day.

Beginning at 6:00 a.m. the strike continued into the frigid evening until midnight and resumes today at 6:00 am. Centro Presente will maintain its doors open to the workers for the entire time period to provide a respite from the frigid temperatures. The staff of Centro Presente have also literally stood with the workers on the picket line.

Today, Friday December 11th there will be a larger rally at 11:00 a.m. in front of the offices of Angelica at 30 Inner Belt Road at noon, come and show support for these brave workers as they fight for Justice!

Patricia MontesExecutive Director
Centro Presente17 Inner Belt Road
Somerville,MA 02143

617-629 47 31 Ext. 211
http://www.cpresente.org/home.htm

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