Search News
For the Media
For media inquiries, call CWA Communications at 202-434-1168 or email comms@cwa-union.org. To read about CWA Members, Leadership or Industries, visit our About page.
Chinese Daily News Workers' Struggle Enters Third
Chinese Daily News workers in Los Angeles this week marked two years of solidarity against a campaign of intimidation, illegal firings and other management fear tactics since voting for representation by TNG-CWA Local 39521 on March 19, 2001.
In a bold move, seven union members spent the anniversary meeting with National Labor Relations Board Region 21 staff. Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) honored their struggle with a speech on the U.S. House floor.
The behavior of the Taiwan-based newspaper company, which has refused to accept the election or to bargain a contract with the 150-member unit, has led to numerous unfair labor practice charges pending before the NLRB. Meeting with the regional director and a supervisory examiner, the delegation of newspaper employees asked them to take action soon on the complaints.
The NLRB officials listened patiently and respectfully, but also explained about the board's high case load and limited resources, said Hsiao-tse Chao, a former reporter for the paper now serving as a union organizer.
"Lynne (Wang) gave many examples on how management has intimidated and retaliated against workers. Yun-min Pao kept pushing them to process our ULPs," Chao said. "I felt so proud of them for being so calm and specific on their purpose to be there."
While the staff made no promises, Chao said, "It looked like the group helped the Regional Director see some serious true faces of suffering workers, instead of piles of documents."
The same day, Congressman Sherrod Brown, a strong labor advocate, made the struggle a matter of congressional record. "I rise to recognize the courage and strength of legal immigrant workers who immigrated to the United States to make life better. Throughout their struggles, they were filled with the promised optimism and freedom inherent in the American dream," he said.
Describing the fight at the Chinese Daily News, he said, "I commend the tireless efforts of these workers as they continue to wrestle with the overwhelming resources of a foreign employer committed to silencing their voices and thwarting their right to organize under U.S. labor law. This is unacceptable.
"Foreign employers should not be given leeway to further erode the organizing rights of U.S. workers. Chinese Daily News employees put their faith in America and in U.S. labor law. At this pivotal juncture in our history, we should recognize the faith and allegiance of those legal immigrants who subscribe to our rule of law. These workers deserve our support. I urge management of the Chinese Daily News to sit down with the affected workers and immediately settle their differences," he said.
In a bold move, seven union members spent the anniversary meeting with National Labor Relations Board Region 21 staff. Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) honored their struggle with a speech on the U.S. House floor.
The behavior of the Taiwan-based newspaper company, which has refused to accept the election or to bargain a contract with the 150-member unit, has led to numerous unfair labor practice charges pending before the NLRB. Meeting with the regional director and a supervisory examiner, the delegation of newspaper employees asked them to take action soon on the complaints.
The NLRB officials listened patiently and respectfully, but also explained about the board's high case load and limited resources, said Hsiao-tse Chao, a former reporter for the paper now serving as a union organizer.
"Lynne (Wang) gave many examples on how management has intimidated and retaliated against workers. Yun-min Pao kept pushing them to process our ULPs," Chao said. "I felt so proud of them for being so calm and specific on their purpose to be there."
While the staff made no promises, Chao said, "It looked like the group helped the Regional Director see some serious true faces of suffering workers, instead of piles of documents."
The same day, Congressman Sherrod Brown, a strong labor advocate, made the struggle a matter of congressional record. "I rise to recognize the courage and strength of legal immigrant workers who immigrated to the United States to make life better. Throughout their struggles, they were filled with the promised optimism and freedom inherent in the American dream," he said.
Describing the fight at the Chinese Daily News, he said, "I commend the tireless efforts of these workers as they continue to wrestle with the overwhelming resources of a foreign employer committed to silencing their voices and thwarting their right to organize under U.S. labor law. This is unacceptable.
"Foreign employers should not be given leeway to further erode the organizing rights of U.S. workers. Chinese Daily News employees put their faith in America and in U.S. labor law. At this pivotal juncture in our history, we should recognize the faith and allegiance of those legal immigrants who subscribe to our rule of law. These workers deserve our support. I urge management of the Chinese Daily News to sit down with the affected workers and immediately settle their differences," he said.