Garment workers picket Tama (second strike in the Lehigh Valley garment industry this month)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.mcall.com/business/local/all-strike.5903845jun19,0,1874187.story?coll=all-businesslocal-hed

Last Updated: June 19, 2007
Garment workers picket Tama
By Spencer Soper Of The Morning Call

Carrying ''on strike'' signs and chanting ''beep for benefits,'' more than 100 union garment workers picketed Monday outside Tama Manufacturing in Lehigh County to demand better wages and health benefits.

The demonstration outside the Hanover Township company is the second strike in the Lehigh Valley garment industry this month. It underscores difficulties in the area's dwindling textile sector, which has been decimated as more clothes purchased in America are made in other countries with cheaper labor.

The workers said they have taken pay cuts and made other concessions over the past several years to help Tama get through tough times. Now that the company has a $21.9 million contract to make uniforms for the Department of Defense, the company has to share with its workers, they said.

''We gave back so much to this company,'' said Pat Neff, a Walnutport resident who has worked at Tama for 16 years hemming pants. ''It's about time gave something to us.''

A factory receptionist said Tama President Mark Fogelman would have no comment.

The privately held, family-owned company has been in business since the 1940s. It makes women's slacks and skirts, including items sold under the Alfred Dunner label.


FULL story at link.