Boycott Palermo’s, Say Milwaukee Pizza Factory Strikers

[Omaha Steve]

http://labornotes.org/2012/07/boycott-palermo%E2%80%99s-say-milwaukee-pizza-factory-strikers

Dawn Tefft | July 12, 2012


The eight-year-old daughter of a striking Palermo’s Pizza factory worker tried to deliver a petition last week with 15,000 signatures pledging to boycott the Milwaukee-based frozen pizza company.

Daniella Benitez was turned away by police, who said only one adult would be allowed on the premises. She came back with her mother and a local pastor and left pizza boxes filled with pages of signatures at the feet of the unreceptive officers.


Palermo's Pizza factory workers in Milwaukee have been on strike since June 1 to demand recognition of their independent union. Their strike and boycott have given the labor community bruised by Governor Scott Walker's recall victory a welcome rallying point. Photo: Jenna Pope.


Since workers filed a petition for recognition May 29, the company has aggressively tried to bust their independent Palermo's Workers Union, but the strikers, mostly immigrants, are gaining ground by cultivating relationships across Wisconsin labor and community groups and by recruiting to their national boycott.

Workers are asking supporters not to buy Palermo's products until the company recognizes their union and to visit their website, www.sliceofjustice.com, to sign the petition or donate to their strike fund.

FULL story at link.

[MADem]

1. I rarely buy frozen pizzas anyway. I've had a few of those, but I will only get them on sale.

They're overpriced, IMO.

That said, I am happy to boycott the product, on sale or not.

[postulater]

2. I know a woman who just started working at Palermos.

She got the job through a temp agency after returning from maternity leave with her ninth child. She is happy to work and says she works 8 hour days 7 days a week so she can show the company she deserves a permanent job there. She and her husband swap shifts though I don't think he works there.

She is totally unaware of the reasons people are striking and would not recognize the effect on the strikers by her going to work there.

I suggested she find out why the people are striking and watch out so the employer doesn't do the same thing to her.