70 Proex workers leave Batavia plant to support 10 fired over Social Security numbers
Tribune staff report
February 26, 2008
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Digg Del.icio.us Facebook Fark Google Newsvine Reddit Yahoo Print Reprints Post comment Text size: About 70 workers walked off their jobs at a Batavia plant Monday in solidarity with 10 others who recently were fired after the company notified them of problems with their Social Security numbers, according to a workers rights group.

The longtime workers, who are all Hispanic, were fired from the Proex Inc. packaging plant after refusing to verify their employment eligibility, said Chicago Workers Collaborative director Tim Bell, who joined the picket line.

Company officials told them they received notices from the Social Security Administration informing them of discrepancies in the workers' stated identity information, Bell said. A federal judge has temporarily blocked the administration from sending such letters to crack down on illegal workers.



Bell accused Proex of trying to get rid of experienced workers who earn higher pay.

A Proex official reached at the plant declined to comment on the strike.


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