Thread: Ballco workers walk out; claim firm in violation of labor la

Ballco workers walk out; claim firm in violation of labor laws

September 21, 2007
By Rowena Vergara Staff Writer

AURORA -- Employees of a manufacturing company here organized a walkout Thursday after workers say they were fired for not providing proper employee documentation.

About 20 Hispanic workers rallied outside Ballco Manufacturing, 2375 Liberty St., and held signs saying "Firing Us Violates the Labor Law" and "No More, No Match." Other signs labeled Ballco as discriminatory.

According to workers, Ballco fired 10 employees Wednesday. Fearing that more firings were to come, workers called upon Chicago Workers Collaborative, a worker's rights organization and arm of the United Electrical, Radio and Mechanic Workers of America (UE), to organize a protest.

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Workers from Ballco Manufacturing Inc. walked off the job at noon Thursday to protest recent firings and their employer's request for documentation of employment eligibility.
photos by MARIANNE MATHER / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

» Click to enlarge image

Ballco Manufacturing Inc. employees picket the business on Liberty Street in Aurora Thursday after walking out to protest recent firings.

But it is unclear why the employees were fired. The company refused to comment.

According to Jorge Mujica of UE, who led the walkout, some workers were verbally notified that they had 10 days to show proof of their legal working status or they would be fired. Workers claim the employer began firings on the basis of outdated "no match" letters sent to the company by the Social Security Administration, Mujica said.

Employers or employees can receive such a letter if a Social Security number does not match up with W-2 forms submitted by the employer. But mistakes could come from typographical errors, a name change or incomplete records, according to the Social Security Administration.

Mujica, however, said no employees have received "no match" letters from the SSA and are legal to work.

Workers like Jesus Rodriguez, who has been an employee for two years, says he and his co-workers should not be required to show documentation.

"They are not respecting our rights," he said in Spanish.

But Evelyn Marsh, an immigration law attorney in Chicago, said depending on what documentation is in question, the company may be within its legal rights. Employers, she said, "are somewhat limited, but once they have this employer-employee relationship, there's no contract."

Ballco Manufacturing Company was started by three Aurora brothers of the Szilage family around 1960 and was sold in 1989. It is among the nation's top manufacturers of valve components.

Under the Immigration Reform and Control Act, employers must verify worker eligibility within three days from the start of employment.

Some picketing workers said they have held jobs for six years or longer.

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com

Workers like Jesus Rodriguez, who has been an employee for two years, says he and his co-workers should not be required to show documentation.

"They are not respecting our rights," he said in Spanish

They are not respecting my rights or my country's rights....fire them all

Some picketing workers said they have held jobs for six years or longer

.
Gee they should have applied for citizenship...eh

... sometimes after years..of selling illegal drugs people get busted...thats the breaks for doing illegal behavior....it comes with risk...

WELL IF THE 10 WORKERS JUST SHOWED DOCUMENTATION THAT THEY ARE LEGAL, THEN THEY WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN FIRED. JUST BRING IN YOUR GREENCARD OR CITIZENSHIP CERTIFICATE. OR SHOW THEM YOUR PASSPORT. THEY FACT THAT NONE OF THEM DID ANY OF THESE THINGS MEANS THAT THEY ARE ILLEGAL. THE WORKERS THAT WALKED OUT SHOULD ALL BE FIRED FOR WALKING OUT. IT IS NONE OF THEIR BUSINESS. THE TEN FIRED EMPLOYEES DID NOT HAVE THE LEGAL RIGHT TO WORK.