Spontaneous Strike Leads to Worker Center-Union Partnership and Victory

Reprinted from ARISE CHICAGO

Workers from Artistic Stitches Inc. approached Arise Chicago in November after having concerns about job security, holiday pay and possible violations of Illinois minimum wage law. Experienced workers were regularly laid off near the end of each year, and then rehired as "apprentices," at apprenticeship wages–despite the fact that many had worked at the factory for years. After not receiving promised holiday pay for working on Thanksgiving, workers walked off the job and contacted Arise. Arise provided training on workplace rights and assisted in organizing additional co-workers. “There were so many problems ... we started talking about collective action and collective bargaining. The workers were excited and decided they wanted to form a union” said Arise organizer, Jorge Mújica (pictured above, on left along with Richard Monje from Workers United). Selecting Workers United as their union with which to affiliate, the workers petitioned the National Labor Relations Board for an election. Last week, the workers won by a decisive majority and now have union representation! “Now, we can defend ourselves from the mistreatment, have paid vacations and holidays. Now, there can be equality,” said Stitches worker Juana Cortez. Juana had the following message for other worker in a situation like hers:

“If something unjust is happening to you at work, there are organizations like Arise and Workers United that can help protect you.”

New Strategies: Reclaiming Labor's History The Stitches campaign shows the potential for the labor movement's revitalization with innovative new organizing strategies.

Bob Reiter, Secretary/Treasurer of the Chicago Federation of Labor and Arise Chicago Board member (above) stated, “What we’re doing here today is significant. Nationally, good jobs are being replaced by low-wage jobs, but the workers at Artistic Stitches are cutting against that.”

Workers United cited Arise Chicago’s involvement as crucial to the union victory. “The relationship between the workers center and our union has been perfect,” said Margarita Klein, staff director of Workers United. “And this is only the beginning.”

The Stitches workers’ win comes on the heels of a major victory for Chicago workers. After working for months with 47th ward Alderman Ameya Pawar, Arise Chicago conceptualized and helped craft Chicago’s anti-wage theft ordinance, that makes it possible for the City of Chicago to revoke business licenses of businesses found guilty of wage theft. Unanimously passed by City Council, the ordinance received widespread national coverage and was recently covered by London-based outlet, The Guardian.