Thursday, April 27, 2006

immigrant boycott aims to close US cities

Reuters-Yahoo news--


A demonstration turnout as large as the protests of the civil rights movement of the 1960s, pro-immigration activists plan to hit the streets of May 1, 2006 with millions of Latinos to demand amnesty for illegal immigrants.
"There will be 2 to 3 million people hitting the streets in Los Angeles alone. We're going to close down Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Tucson, Phoenix, Fresno," said Jorge Rodriguez, a union official who helped organize earlier rallies credited with rattling Congress as it weighs the issue. "We want full amnesty, full legalization for anybody who is here (illegally)," Rodriguez said. "That is the message that is going to be played out across the country on May 1." "


May 1, Mayday, was chosen because this is a day when workers around the world traditionally march to improve labor conditions, and have strong support from big labor and the Roman Catholic Church.
" They vow that America's major cities will grind to a halt and its economy will stagger as Latinos walk off their jobs and skip school "

" Teachers unions in major cities have said children should not be punished for walking out of class. Los Angeles school officials said principals have often been told they should allow students to leave but walk with them to help keep order. "


Companies that offer support and will be closing their businesses on May 1 in support of the rally include,
large US meat processors including Cargill Inc.

Tyson Foods Inc.

Seaboard Corp.

Oregon Dairy Farmers Association


pay close attention on May 1, and then tell me that we have not been invaded.

especially after what happened on 9/11, when the steps we have taken to secure our country such as the creation of Homeland security, increased security at our airports and ports. Increased security in our federal buildings...

But yet entering this country legally is merely a misdemeanor.

you have got to be kidding.


---------------------- Tyson Responds -------------------------
(Hat tip to Scottiebill)




Tyson Foods Press Release

Most Tyson Plants Will Operate on Monday May 1st

Springdale, Arkansas -- April 28, 2006 -- Tyson Foods today issued the following statement in response to inquiries about the company’s operating schedule for Monday, May 1, in light of planned immigration rallies across the country:

Most of the more than 100 plants we own will operate Monday to meet the needs of our customers. About a dozen plants, mostly red meat operations, will be closed due to a combination of market conditions and the expected absence of workers.

While we understand the sentiment behind the May 1st events and support comprehensive immigration reform, we are not encouraging workers to participate in the rallies. At those plant locations where we are scheduled to operate, we are asking workers not to take any unauthorized time off and instead seek pre-approval from their supervisor or participate during non-work hours.

Employment Verification
Tyson Foods has zero tolerance for employing people who are not authorized to work in the U.S. We use all available tools provided by the U.S. government to help determine our Team Members are authorized to work in this country.

Tyson voluntarily participates in the Department of Homeland Security’s Basic Pilot program, which allows us access to government databases that assist in the documentation authentication process. We’ve used the Basic Pilot at all of our plants since 1998. Before the Basic Pilot became available, we participated in the government's Electronic Verification Pilot or EVP program.

We train our hiring managers on proper employment documentation procedure and work to increase their awareness of identification and documentation fraud. We regularly audit our hiring process including work authorization documents and also use an independent, outside company, which conducts its own audit of our hiring practices.

The Basic Pilot is effective in helping us verify the Social Security numbers of the people we hire. Unfortunately, the program has limitations. It does not currently help us in cases of identity fraud when an individual assumes someone else’s name by using their Social Security number. This is another reason we support efforts to reform immigration law. We believe companies should not be placed in the role of policing who has proper work documentation. If the government isn’t going to assume this responsibility, then it should give companies more tools to do the job.


The power of the comsumer!

1 comment:

Scottiebill said...

Note that in their policy, Tyson ASKED their people not to participate. They did not TELL them that if they participated without scheduling the time off, them would be fired. They, in effect, are allowing the employees, not the management team, to run the company. This is primarily why I wrote to Tyson informing them that I will never purchase any of their products again. Besides, since their chicken products are put up in Arkansas, home of BJ Bill Clinton, who is to say how old these products are before they find their way in our region. We buy fresh chicken, processed locally, at our house.