Thread: CO: Hispanic workers allege discrimination at Aurora plant

A group of Hispanic employees say they faced a hostile work environment even before being fired last week from Ballco Manufacturing.

They filed complaints today against the Aurora manufacturing plant, alleging unfair labor practices and racial discrimination.

The group of about 25 workers continues to picket outside the factory at 2375 Liberty St. on the city's far east side.

They held signs reading "Ballco: Stop discrimination" and "Honk for Justice" - which many passing cars did.

On Sept. 19, Ballco fired eight workers who now say they were initially told of problems with their Social Security numbers.

On Sept. 20, more than 20 other workers, who had joined their colleagues in a one-day picket protesting alleged discrimination at the company, also were fired.

Since then, the entire group has been protesting daily at the factory, which produces valve components.

Ballco officials, who were contacted several times today, had no comment.

The fired workers, meanwhile, say supervisors verbally abused them, used racist language and openly talked of firing Latinos.

Ricardo Delgado said he participated in the protest to support his colleagues, "who were unfairly dismissed without just cause."

Those colleagues said they originally were told of problems stemming from their Social Security numbers.

The Social Security Administration sends out "no-match letters" to alert employers of differences between a worker's identity and their own records.

Some employers have used such notes to fire employees, even though the letter - intended to help workers get their wages credited to the right account - says it shouldn't be used for that.

When the fired workers at Ballco asked to see their personnel files, they say they weren't allowed. A supervisor, however, told them they had not received any "no-match letters," workers said.

"We think it was just an excuse to fire people and when pressed on the issue, they had to admit there were no (reasons)," said Mark Meinster of the United Electrical Workers, which is supporting the group.

The Latino workers also cannot be fired for taking part in a protest, Meinster said.

Complaints alleging unfair labor practices were filed with the National Labor Relations Board over the firing of striking workers. A second set of complaints alleging racial discrimination was filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

The group is getting support from 26 area religious leaders who signed a letter sent to the company seeking a resolution.

"The immigrant community is under siege and is being discriminated against," said Tom Cordero of Naperville's St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church. "It's important for us to stand in solidarity at this time."

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=46869

"The immigrant community is under siege and is being discriminated against," said Tom Cordero of Naperville's St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church. "It's important for us to stand in solidarity at this time."

This is not true. Nobody is discriminating against immigrants. What's happening is that ILLEGAL immigrants are finally being held accountable for their illegal acts.

The only solidarity that is important right now is for American citizens to unite and hold strong against illegal immigraiton.