Unions work to lure Hispanics, Major challenge for labor in Athens

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/090207/news_20070902062.shtml

Unions work to lure Hispanics
Major challenge for labor in Athens
By Blake Aued | Staff Writer | Story updated at 11:44 PM on Sunday, September 2, 2007

In his 17 years at an Athens Pilgrim's Pride plant, Robert James has watched his industry change faster than an egg frying on a griddle.

Everything from the way the plants are run to who works there to who belongs to the union local is different, said James, a maintenance mechanic at the Barber Street plant and the United Food and Commercial Workers union steward.

"When I first started working here, it was probably 95 percent African-American," James said. "Now I'd say it's 80 percent Hispanic."

Immigration and changing demographics turned the state's $3 billion poultry industry upside down beginning in the early 1990s, and already-embattled labor unions in Athens and elsewhere are still trying to catch up. At the same time as Hispanics began replacing blacks, union membership dropped from about 80 percent to 40 percent at one of two Athens Pilgrim's Pride plants and 50 percent at the other. The plants employ a combined 2,500 people.

Duplicating Systems

"I know it's gone down because of the change in cultures," James said. "A lot of (Hispanics) don't want to join."

As Labor Day approaches, Pilgrim's Pride workers, United Food and Commercial Workers organizers and local progressive activists are highlighting efforts to bring Hispanic workers into the union fold.

"One of the things we're trying to do is bring different groups together and say 'Your struggle is our struggle,' " said Ralph Porras, a representative with Suwanee-based UFCW Local 1996.

FULL story at link.