Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Unpaid Latino workers: hunger strike in Aurora, IL

Press Contacts: Jose Cipriano (331) 262-3331,Cristobal Cavazos (630)260-0142, Manuel Sanchez (630) 270-8750

Immigrant Day Laborers Jose Cipriano Nevarez and Manuel Sanchez Vega worked for over 7 weeks in late 2008 (Aug. 25- Oct. 10) having been contracted to dismantle an industrial air conditional system at the Apostolic Assembly of the Faith in Christ Jesus Church complex and flea market at 175 N. State Street (corner of State and Claim Street) in Aurora. Performing the work without proper safety equipment, they would later find out that the HVAC system in the aged structure was ridden with asbestos and other contaminants. The pair would go on to paint murals of religious imagery and other artwork around the complex in addition to maintenance and creation of signage around the complex at the request of the property management.

Apostolic Assembly of the Faith in Christ Jesus Church property owner and minister Rev. Rodolfo Hernandez refused to pay Cipriano Nevarez and Sanchez Vega when the job was complete alleging the two did the work “of their own volition.“ The workers, owed tens of thousand of dollars, have gone on to battle poor health and joblessness since they finished work on the property on October 10, 2008.

On Friday morning at 9 a.m. the workers will set up outside in front of the Aurora complex at 175 N. State Street with tent and signs and commence a hunger strike demanding their pay and denouncing the routine labor injustices suffered by immigrant workers across Chicagoland.

What? Latino Workers Hunger Strike
When? Friday, October 9, 9am
Where? 175 N. State Street, Aurora (corner of State & Claim)
Info:(331) 262-3331, (630)260-0142

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