Azteca Foods Workers Enter Second Month
In Dispute Over ‘Fair Contract'
By Diane Sánchez

Gathered around a fire in temperatures that dip in the 20s, 63 Azteca Foods employees continue their strike that began Sept. 30 outside of the Chicago-based factory. An unsuccessful meeting with company CEO Arthur Vel squez on Nov. 21 left negotiations in deadlock.

The workers, who voted overwhelmingly to organize under the United Electrical Workers Union Local 1159 in April, say they are striking because the company refuses to offer fair contract terms. They are calling for a boycott of Azteca tortillas and chips sold nationwide.

Negotiations for a new contract started in May.

"The company is intent on not respecting to workers. They think workers will give in," said Carl Rosen, president of UE District 11 union.

Velásquez blames the lack of progress on the union, saying it does not want to cooperate. The company is running at full capacity with the help of temporary workers, he claimed.

"We are out here and we don't see many tortilla delivery trucks coming out," Rosen countered.

Among other requests, the employees are asking for better wages (average wage is $9 an hour), safer working conditions, the right to distribute union flyers in non-work areas at non-work times, and improved retirement benefits.

"We deserve it. Most of us have worked here for over 12 years," says UE negotiating committee member Josefina Bonilla, a 27-year employee.

The round-the-clock protest has drawn food, financial contributions and thousands of letters and phone calls of support.

Azteca, which produces half a million tortillas daily, earns revenues between $30-33 million a year.