Elite Staff Fires Seven-Year Veteran For Speaking Publicly on Abuse Day laborer and San Lucas Workers Center member, Raquel Arroyo suffered the consequences for speaking out. In a community meeting held April 28 at St. Augustine College, Arroyo publicly described the abhorent working conditions suffered by day laborers employed by Elite Staffing, Inc. At that same meeting, Elite Staffing President Harvey Cole promised a crowd of over 50 workers and community members that "it is my intent that they should have no fear. There will be no recriminations." (click here to listen to Cole) The objective of the meeting was to set community standards for Elite to follow when it relocated to Logan Square on May 7. Arroyo stated: "What we want is justice and we want Elite to stop treating us like animals." Nine days later she was fired.
Today workers and respesentatives from a dozen community groups marched into Elite's offices on Armitage Avenue to present a letter demanding Arroyo's reinstatement. (click here to see letter) The letter was presented to Elite dispatcher, Onix Molina who smirked and promptly tore up the letter. Molina is named in the letter as the Elite employee who fired Arroyo. In addition to presenting the letter, the San Lucas Workers Center has filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board. The complaint charges: Arroyo was discharged by Elite "for engaging in union and protected concerted activities." Day Laborer and SLWC Vice President, Isaac Vega added, "Cole lied to her. He lied to us. He lied to the community. Raquel Arroyo must be reinstated and compenstated for the hours of lost work." |
