English: Copyright © 2005 Sulfur The historical Basilica of St. Josaphat, as seen from the corner of Kosciuszko Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Category:Images of Milwaukee St. Josaphat (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Political group asks Milwaukee Parishes to replenish strike fund using offering plates
By Aaron Rodriguez
In an email sent to nearly a dozen parishes in the Milwaukee Archdiocese, Voces de la Frontera asks congregations to open their hearts and pocketbooks.
“This struggle is not political, this struggle is about immigrant workers and families that are fighting for their rights after years of abuse,” said Kathleen Shea, New Sanctuary Movement Coordinator for Voces de la Frontera.
“How can you help,” Shea asks?
“You could allow a Voces representative to introduce a Palermo’s striker to your place of worship and make a 3-5 minute presentation at the end of mass about their story and explain the reasons why they are on strike. We would also ask if you can offer a second collection for the strike fund (Emphasis mine). In case that is not possible, then could you allow the workers and a Voces/NSM representative to ask for donations at the time when people leave, ” Shea proposes.
The dispute between Palermo’s Pizza and Voces de la Frontera began shortly after the company reached out to Voces for help getting their employees the proper documentation to meet the standards of an ICE audit back in 2011. Instead of receiving help, Voces had organized several shifts of workers to sign a petition to organize a union — some believing they would get their jobs back. Ultimately, in compliance with the Immigration and Nationality Act, Palermo’s was compelled to fire nearly ninety employees for failing to verify workplace eligibility.
Read more at JSOnline. Story from Jay Weber at 1130 WISN.
Is this going too far? Will churches in Milwaukee open their churches for unions and collective bargaining which is what this is all about?
What do you think? Give us a comment.
October 31, 2012
World