Employees settle labor dispute with El Milagro tortilla company
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Employees with tortilla manufacturer El Milagro have settled a labor dispute with the company, after accusing bosses of discouraging unionization efforts.
The workers had filed complaints with the National Labor Relations Board, accusing the Chicago-based tortilla company of using intimidation tactics to stop them from forming a union.
The workers said they were threatened with losing their jobs, or their vacation days and other benefits, if they engaged in labor organizing. A settlement was reached last week.
The company now must communicate to all workers about their right to unionize, and promise not to interfere with any attempts to form a union.
"The law protects all workers' rights to organize for better working conditions and wags. That is what today's about," said Laura Garza, worker center director at Arise Chicago, a workers' rights group representing the El Milagro workers.
The workers have not yet formed a union.