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NEW YORK CITY

Actions demand justice for low-paid workers

Published Apr 29, 2012 8:55 PM

Two groups of low-paid workers, many of whom are immigrant women, stood up for their rights in New York City on April 19.

The Laundry Workers Center United held a lunch-hour protest at the midtown office of the private equity firm Praesidian Capital, which is headed by Mark Samson, who owns the Hot and Crusty food chain. Joined by Occupy Wall Street activists and immigrant and labor supporters, LWCU is demanding the reinstatement of Gretel Areco, a Hot and Crusty worker who was sexually harassed and fired because of her organizing efforts.

Sampson has refused to recognize the workers’ newly formed labor organization, the Hot and Crusty Workers Association, and has terminated negotiations until the workers, many of whom are immigrants, stop their public campaign. That began on Jan. 21 with a brief occupation of a Hot and Crusty shop. Demonstrators issued Sampson a letter with their demands, and vowed that the company must either respect the rights of the workers or “we’ll be back.”

Domestic Workers United held an early evening demonstration at the midtown offices of Shade Global. This is an advertising agency run by Sheryl Shade, the former employer of nanny Patricia Francois. In 2008 Francois, who is a Black immigrant from Trinidad, was physically assaulted while trying to protect the little girl she cared for from her father’s verbal abuse.

According to a DWU statement, when Francois tried to call the police, Matthew Mazar punched the domestic worker in the face and injured her hand while screaming racist, sexist insults at her. Ever since, Francois has been locked in litigation with Shade and Mazar. While they enjoy a swanky 1% lifestyle, Francois has gone without work while bravely battling breast cancer.

DWU, the National Domestic Workers Alliance, OWS activists and other allies rallied to demand respect and justice for Francois, who has fought tirelessly for the rights of nannies, housekeepers and elderly caregivers as a DWU member. Protesters chanted slogans like “We’re gonna beat back the Mazar attack,” “Get up, stand up, fight back” and “Free, free domestic workers, end the slavery!” To sign a petition demanding justice for Francois, visit http://tinyurl.com/848hrce.