The 240 workers forced the company to grant a 9.5 percent wage increase and improvements in the dental and medical benefits package, Chete reported. The new contact was approved by a 98 percent margin. Chete explained that the strikers won because of their solidarity and success in stopping production. The bosses tried to keep production going with about 30 scabs, including office workers. They did their best to intimidate and divide workers, but strong picket lines and support by local unions won the day for the union.

"When we got the union in, most of the workers were from Latin America," said Chete who is originally from Guatemala. "The company decided not to hire any more Latin Americans so they hired people from China and Vietnam. That's the majority in the plant now. That was a big mistake because they were the strongest fighters. We don't speak the same language but we understand each other."

John Steele is a member of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 175.  
 
 
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