http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/14464565.htm

Posted on Sun, Apr. 30, 2006

Latinos see risk in boycott

Some fear backlash, job loss; others say protest shows U.S. dependency


FRANCO ORDOŅEZ AND MIKE DRUMMOND
fordonez@charlotteobserver.com

mdrummond@charlotteobserver.com

With a nationwide pro-immigrant boycott set for Monday, Latinos in Charlotte are torn between allegiances to the movement and fears that joining the protest may cost them their livelihoods.

Millions across the country are expected to skip work and school as part of "A Day Without Immigrants" to dramatize their importance to the U.S. economy. But recent federal raids and a vow to crack down on employers who hire illegal immigrants have heightened anxiety in Latino communities.

Many educators, unions and immigrants oppose the boycott, and some worry it could court a polarizing backlash.

Local Latino leaders, including the Latin American Chamber of Commerce of Charlotte, encourage people to attend a planned evening vigil in Marshall Park, rather than risk losing their jobs and hurting business.

Leaders in other cities from Los Angeles to Miami have echoed similar pleas.

Seemingly just as many activists are pushing for the boycott this May Day -- internationally celebrated as labor day, with cultural resonance in many parts of Latin America.

Outreach group El Vínculo Hispano in Siler City, about 100 miles northeast of Charlotte, is advocating immigrants boycott school, work and businesses.

By giving a glimpse of what life would be like without people to build homes, cook food in restaurants, tend farm crops and clean hotel rooms, some boycott leaders hope to show how dependent the country is on immigrant workers.

"Our credibility as a community is on the line," said Armando Navarro, coordinator of the National Alliance for Human Rights, a Southern California organization pushing the boycott. "We've shown our power politically, but if we can't show it economically we are going to lose it."

Employers and absenteeism

In Charlotte, the subject has topped the morning show of Spanish-language radio station Radio Lider (WNOW-AM, 1030). It has received at least 100 calls a morning, said station reporter Jorge Medina.The issue also remains a hot topic for employers.

Dave Barbee, area manager for Charlotte landscaping firm Realiscape Inc., said he discussed the boycott with his workers last week. He expects about half of his company's 20 employees will be absent Monday.

"I'd be foolish for firing them for doing what they think is important," he said, adding that his Hispanic workers are in the country legally. "We need to change some legislation and control the borders. And until we do that, we've got what we've asked for."

U.S. senators returned to work last week and renewed debates on proposed immigration legislation. Organizers of the national boycott want Congress to pass a law granting those living here illegally, including an estimated 390,000 in North Carolina, an avenue to legalization.

Not since the Cesar Chavez-led boycotts of the early 1970s for better pay and working conditions for field workers have immigrants mustered such national political visibility -- and vulnerability.

Gilberto Bergman, chief executive of Bergman Brothers Staffing & Consulting in Charlotte, said he plans to skip work Monday.

The Nicaraguan immigrant is a U.S. citizen. His 100-employee firm places immigrants in skilled blue-collar and white-collar jobs.

"I want to go to the streets with my Latino community and be there to show my support," Bergman said. "The federal government should take care of this problem."

Darin Brockelbank supports his employees' right to take part in the boycott. But the owner of Charlotte backyard architecture firm Metro-Greenscape Inc. has told his 16 Hispanic employees he likely will fire them if they do.

"We understand where they're coming from," Brockelbank said. "But they need to consider the people who are looking out for them and that's their employer."

He added that his company has paid for English classes, helped set up bank accounts and arranged car loans for those employees, who he said are in the country legally.

Discipline for participation?

Some warn that disciplining workers for taking part in Monday's boycott could violate federal labor law.

Kenny Colbert, president of Charlotte human resources firm The Employers Association, last week sent letters to 760 member companies. He noted the National Labor Relations Act protects employees who engage in "concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection."

Political speech is not protected under NLRA, he said, but "this could be a close call."

The Service Employees International Union is urging all its members to participate in after-hours activities. About 11 percent of its 1.8 million members are immigrants. "We're not calling for a boycott," said spokeswoman Avril Smith in Washington.

Meanwhile, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools interim Superintendent Frances Haithcock sent letters to parents last week urging students to stay in school Monday. Nearly 400 CMS students skipped class on April 10 and in other demonstrations. The district has some 14,800 Hispanic students, about 12 percent.

Haithcock said she "cannot continue to tolerate repeated `walkouts,' " a position other school districts nationwide have taken.

Antonio Lovo, 17, a junior at Vance High School in the University City area, said young people want their opinions heard, too.

He is leading an effort for students to remain in class and then attend a 3 p.m. student demonstration at Covenant Presbyterian Church on Morehead Street. Students from several high schools will march to the main demonstration at Marshall Park, he said.

"These immigration laws are going to affect us deeply. We're the youth and we're the next generation," said Lovo, president of the Student Union of Latin-American Leaders.

Regardless, some in the local immigrant community remain guarded since this month's raid on a national palette maker. About 1,200 were arrested, including 44 in Charlotte.

"They don't think it's the same climate ... they don't feel it's the same Charlotte," said Raquel Lynch, operations and programs director at the Latin American Coalition, which is helping organize Monday's vigil. "People feel that they will not be safe. They fear they will either be deported or harassed in some way." -- The Associated Press contributed.

-- Franco Ordoņez: (704) 358-6180. Mike Drummond: (704) 358-5248.

Want to Go?

Vigil for a Just and Secure America, 6 p.m. at Marshall Park, Second and McDowell streets in uptown Charlotte.