August 6, 2007

Mr. Figueroa started with the company October 4, 2004 on the cut floor pulling loins. “From the very day I started, I have always supported the union, attended union meetings, educating co-workers, and signing them on authorization cards at the entrance, worn my yellow union shirt, this is known by everyone including the company.”

In September 2006 the company started terminating workers because their social security numbers weren’t matching. In November 2006 I and a group of about 12 workers began to organize our other co-workers to walk off their lines that day at 9:30am. We began by talking about coordinating the time that we would stop the lines. When 9:30am came around we began to shut down our lines and I began to tell my co-workers to come down from their lines when some asked, “Why what’s going on.” I said, “This is because they have been terminating workers for their social security cards.” While I was talking to workers about what we were doing my superintendent, Brian Adams was observing me.

They walked off and we moved down to the smoking cafeteria, to my surprise the kill floor and conversion were arriving at the same time. At which point we decided to move outside because there was not enough room for all of us. While we were outside I and two women were telling our co-workers about standing together and making the company respect and honor their employees, “we cant go in until we have a solution, so that employees would not continue  being terminated the for their social security cards.

About an hour later the superintendent, Ronnie, came out and watched what we were doing for about a minute, then he walked back into the plant.  We decided that the 12 of us that began the action, would walk into the plant to get the remainder of the workers, that were being stopped from walking out by their supervisors, to support us. When we walked back into the cut floor Brian Adams asked what we were doing there. I told him that “We were there to tell the other co-workers that they didn’t have to be afraid to walk out with their Co-Workers.” At which point Brian did not say anything and we just kept walking by.

In final we were able to convince about 100 more workers to join us. When we walked out, Larry Johnson was standing there telling the workers to put together a petition of their demands. He also told us we should gather a group of spokespersons to meet with them about our concerns. Janette from Human Resources was also telling workers that we should get spokespersons to meet with Larry Johnson because the terminations were out of their control, that it was the government, not them.

The following day we went to meet with Larry Johnson. Of the original 12 that were leading our co-workers only I and two co-workers were the original Leaders. The Company had infiltrated the group of Leaders and presented a petition of demands that we knew nothing about. Their were people in the meeting that had not walked out with us the day prior, including a maintenance worker and an African American worker (We knew them as Co. supporters.)

It was determined by the company and most of the group, that workers would have an additional 60 days to resolve any employment issues, and that all the employees that walked off the job would not be disciplined. 
 
Sometime in July of 2007, I was called into the office about told by human resources that I had exceeded the attendance points, that I had 14 points and should be terminated.

They showed me my attendance records, I explained to them that   the records did not reflect me being tardy. She said that you have to be at your work station 5 minutes prior to the  start of your shift, anything after that is considered late. I told her we weren’t paid for those 5 minutes, I also explained to her that several of my tardies  were excusable, I had medical notes from the clinic. For instance, when I hurt my back I was given medication that put me to sleep and I was unable to wake up. She showed me a company policy and explained that their were no excusable tardies. At the end of our conversation I was told that I would be given another opportunity but they didn’t erase any points. She had me sign a sheet and told me that if I was late coming in, late from break or lunch,  or requested to leave early or asked to be excused for the day that I would be terminated.

On Thursday Aug. 4th  I was 4 minutes late, the next day Friday, I was called into the office about 11:30am and was told to return Monday and speak to Jessica Wilson. On Monday I went to the plant to check the status of my job and was told by a HR representative that I had been terminated Friday.

When I asked the Company representative for the reason for my termination, I said why was I being Terminated, others get 2 chances, I only got (1) is it because I support the union or educate my co-workers about not taking your abuses, sign co-workers or wear my shirt? She said did you understand what I said or would you like me to repeat why you were terminated? She also said we don’t pay attention whether or not your affiliated with the union, we only concern ourselves with what’ s going on inside the company and you were terminated for your attendance and nothing else.

When I inquired about my vacation pay, she said that your anniversary is not until October. I explained that it has always been the Co. policy to pay in advance, if I request it, she said No. I told her OK the co. must need the money more than I do, turned in my equipment, so I wouldn't be charged for it.