Res. No. 1698 Title Resolution calling upon the appropriate committee of the Council to hold a public hearing to address the plight of workers that are currently struggling to improve their working conditions with Cibao Meat Products, Inc. Body By Council Members Linares, Freed, Lopez, Marshall and Perkins; also Council Members Foster, Michels, Nelson, Pinkett, Quinn and Robinson Whereas, Cibao Meat Products, Inc. ("Cibao"), located at 630 St. Ann's Avenue, Bronx, New York produces various types of sausages and other meat products largely for the Dominican community in the New York metropolitan area; and Whereas, Cibao employs forty workers most of whom are paid minimum wages with no health or pension benefits; and Whereas, In January of 2000, three workers were allegedly unjustly fired prompting other workers to complain about mistreatment, arbitrary firings and illegal wage practices; and Whereas, Subsequently, Local 169 of the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees was contacted by Cibao's workers and began an organizing drive that resulted in a vote for union representation on March 30, 2000; and Whereas, Management initially responded to the organizing effort by allegedly firing union supporters, changing working conditions and threatening to fire more workers if the unionization efforts continued; and Whereas, The National Labor Relations Board has issued a complaint against Cibao in relation to their actions against their employees; and Whereas, Currently, negotiations between Cibao and its employees have dragged on for several months with little or no progress, with Cibao allegedly stonewalling contract talks and unjustly further disciplining and threatening workers with additional firings; and Whereas, Workers at Cibao work ten to twelve hour workdays, at poverty level wages, and must carry the tremendous burden of paying out-of-pocket expenses for medical bills for themselves and their families; and Whereas, The Council of the City of New York has a long and proud tradition of supporting the rights of workers to organize and collectively bargain with their employers, insuring their right to be treated with dignity and respect, now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the appropriate committee of the Council to hold a public hearing to address the plight of workers that are currently struggling to improve their working conditions with Cibao Meat Products, Inc. LS#3706 CHS:ts 01/18/01 |10
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