Aurora labor backers take protest to home of ATMI company’s CEO
By Linda Girardi For The Beacon-News February 12, 2012 5:40PM
Members of the Northern Illinois Jobs with Justice and supporters of ATMI Precast workers march on Sunday in front of what organizers said is the home of ATMI president and CEO Jim Armbruster. As the date for an election to unionize nears, ATMI workers have said they are facing increased threats, indimidation and unwarranted firings. | Jeff Cagle~For Sun-Times Media
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Updated: March 14, 2012 8:06AM
Labor supporters and friends of workers of an Aurora company didn’t just return to the streets to demand the right to collectively bargain for wages and safe work conditions and for fired workers to be reinstated.
On Sunday, about 45 people marched seven blocks to the West Downer Place home of ATMI Precast President and CEO Jim Armbruster, where they shouted through a bullhorn and chanted their messages: “Firing no! Contract yes!” and “Hey, Aurora, look around — Aurora is a union town.”
The peaceful march was joined by laborers representing other unions and representatives of the groups Chicago Workers’ Collaborative and Northern Illinois Jobs with Justice.
“The ATMI workers remind all of us what it is to live in a democracy,” said Leone Bicchieri of the Chicago Workers’ Collaborative.
“It means freedom of expression, and that freedom doesn’t end at the plant gates,” Bicchieri said.
The protesters marched along West Galena Boulevard from Lancaster Avenue to South Gladstone Avenue carrying placards that read “Fair Contract Now!” and “Rehire Fired Workers.”
The march came as workers prepare for Friday’s election to determine whether they will have union representation by Labors International Union Local 681.
“I have a personal plea to Jim Armbruster,” Bicchieri said before they stepped off for the nearly-two-hour march. “Please respect your workers’ rights to have an opinion at work. Allow your workers to do that respectfully and legally this Friday.”
Bill Barclay, of Northern Illinois Jobs with Justice, said the National Labor Relations Board has validated workers’ signatures and specified when the vote can take place, but only after a union is voted in can workers begin to negotiate a contract.
The two pro-labor organizations have supported ATMI workers and the workers who allege they were fired in retaliation for speaking out to form a union and seek safe work conditions.
Bicchieri said the purpose of marching to the company CEO’s mansion wasn’t to make it personal but to send the message of community responsibility.
The protesters did not get a response, although it was apparent someone was home. The home’s front door was open behind a glass storm door, and the window drapery was open.
“This is the only march that has gone by his house,” Bicchieri said. “If he feels good about the firings and other actions, he shouldn’t have any problem defending those actions to his neighbors that might ask about it.”
As the protesters approached the house, they shouted, “Armbruster, here we come.” And for about 10 minutes from the public sidewalk and parkway in front of the CEO’s home, they chanted and sounded noise-makers.
They said that “pro labor helped to build the middle class of the country, and it is not about one group against another.”
They shouted, “ATMI management would paint these workers as troublemakers. We paint them as heroes of our democracy because democracy takes work, struggle and sacrifice. If there’s anyone who has made it rich, you have not done it alone.”
Jose Meraz, 55, said he was fired in January. Meraz said that “management will listen to you, but not for long. As soon as you have a couple of complaints, they’ll grab you, take you to your car and send you away.”
“I see you have a decent-sized house — it is bigger than mine,” Meraz shouted in Spanish through the speaker. “You got it because we work for you; you don’t want us to have a union, but it is our right to make that decision.”
John Laesch of Northern Illinois Jobs with Justice said the company CEO already has personalized “the fight on workers” by cutting their wages 15 percent and making it difficult for them to earn a living to support their families.
The protesters back-tracked down West Galena Boulevard as they continued with the chants. Passing motorists honked their horns in expressions of support. Two Aurora police squads followed the entire route, but there were no incidents.
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