Daniel Caamano
Photos: HNG
Palermo's employees on the picket line continue to strike and demand union rights to organize at the plant.
By H. Nelson Goodson
June 7, 2012
Milwaukee - On Thursday, Hispanic News Network U.S.A. has learned exclusively that Palermo Villa executives have been forced to shut down three pizza production lines from the existing five lines for 1st and 2nd shifts, leaving the entire third shift for cleanup and maintenance work. Attorneys representing both sides have been in contact and are trying to solve differences between Palermo Villa owners and the employees who decided to go on strike since last week.
Employees called for a statewide boycott of Palermo's Pizza products on Tuesday. The boycott is steadily gaining support in the south side of Milwaukee and is spreading throughout the city and other parts of the state.
The employees on the picket line claim, Palermo's Pizza, 3301 W. Canal St. have forced ill employees to work or get fired after taking three days of leave to get well. Employees who get sick are at risk of contaminating the food production at Palermo's and they have been trying to get additional days to recuperate from an illness.
They are also attempting to form an employee union, but Palermo Villa management has threaten employees with termination, if they join the picket line. There are about 130 employees at the plant.
Temperary services have been trying to provide workers, but many of them don't return after experiencing the hard work at the plant. Temperary workers are paid $7.50 an hour by the agencies compared to local employees who get between $9.00 to $13.00 and hour depending on seniority or years of employment at Palermo's Pizza located in the Menomonee Valley.
Daniel Caamano, an employee at Palermo's Pizza for 10 years decided to help organize a union and found himself on the picket line after the company refused to negiotiate or recognize a union when 80% of the employees petitioned for one. Caamano was an experience machine operator and was injured on the job. He injured his back at work and received medical treatment totaling more than $6,000. When he submitted his medical bill and paper work for the treatment, Palermo's Pizza failed to cover any medical bills and expenses, despite having Caamano insured at the plant. He is now seeking legal advice to take action against Palermo Villa.
Employees at the picket line are seeking better working conditions, sick leave, higher wages, benefits and to be able to form a credited workers union at the company.
They have filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board that Palermo Villa has refused to regognize their effort to form a union. The National Labor Relations Act of 1935 requires companies to recognize a union, if 30% of employees petition for a company to recognize their union. Which Palermo Villa has failed to do, according to employees at the picket line.
A meeting will be taking place on Thursday night to discuss any portential agreements that Palermo's attorneys have proposed, if any. The employees plan to stay out as long as it takes to remedy their current strike situation.
A Palermo's workers strike fund was created to help the striking employees.
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Photos: HNG
Palermo's employees on the picket line continue to strike and demand union rights to organize at the plant.
By H. Nelson Goodson
June 7, 2012
Milwaukee - On Thursday, Hispanic News Network U.S.A. has learned exclusively that Palermo Villa executives have been forced to shut down three pizza production lines from the existing five lines for 1st and 2nd shifts, leaving the entire third shift for cleanup and maintenance work. Attorneys representing both sides have been in contact and are trying to solve differences between Palermo Villa owners and the employees who decided to go on strike since last week.
Employees called for a statewide boycott of Palermo's Pizza products on Tuesday. The boycott is steadily gaining support in the south side of Milwaukee and is spreading throughout the city and other parts of the state.
The employees on the picket line claim, Palermo's Pizza, 3301 W. Canal St. have forced ill employees to work or get fired after taking three days of leave to get well. Employees who get sick are at risk of contaminating the food production at Palermo's and they have been trying to get additional days to recuperate from an illness.
They are also attempting to form an employee union, but Palermo Villa management has threaten employees with termination, if they join the picket line. There are about 130 employees at the plant.
Temperary services have been trying to provide workers, but many of them don't return after experiencing the hard work at the plant. Temperary workers are paid $7.50 an hour by the agencies compared to local employees who get between $9.00 to $13.00 and hour depending on seniority or years of employment at Palermo's Pizza located in the Menomonee Valley.
Daniel Caamano, an employee at Palermo's Pizza for 10 years decided to help organize a union and found himself on the picket line after the company refused to negiotiate or recognize a union when 80% of the employees petitioned for one. Caamano was an experience machine operator and was injured on the job. He injured his back at work and received medical treatment totaling more than $6,000. When he submitted his medical bill and paper work for the treatment, Palermo's Pizza failed to cover any medical bills and expenses, despite having Caamano insured at the plant. He is now seeking legal advice to take action against Palermo Villa.
Employees at the picket line are seeking better working conditions, sick leave, higher wages, benefits and to be able to form a credited workers union at the company.
They have filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board that Palermo Villa has refused to regognize their effort to form a union. The National Labor Relations Act of 1935 requires companies to recognize a union, if 30% of employees petition for a company to recognize their union. Which Palermo Villa has failed to do, according to employees at the picket line.
A meeting will be taking place on Thursday night to discuss any portential agreements that Palermo's attorneys have proposed, if any. The employees plan to stay out as long as it takes to remedy their current strike situation.
A Palermo's workers strike fund was created to help the striking employees.
Connected by MOTOBLUR™ on T-Mobile
Angello Falluca of Palermo Villa, gave $5,500 to support Gov. Walker in the recall campaign. See a pattern here?
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