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Laid-Off AEI Workers Win Severance Demands!
by Amee Chew
June 9, 2005
Laid-off Advanced Electronics, Inc. (AEI) workers ? primarily middle-aged, immigrant women ? departed jubilant from a rally held on Wednesday, June 8, in front of the Boston company's offices. Right during the rally, Chairman of the Board Edward Chiang announced the factory would grant $300,000 of severance, agreeing to the laid-off workers' demand of a week of severance for every year worked.
The group of 30 former employees, representing roughly 70 workers who had been laid-off since 2002, had been organizing for nearly a month with the support of the Chinese Progressive Association (CPA).
Approximately 70 people attended the noon rally, meeting for a march through Chinatown at 11 a.m. Nearly the entire crowd comprised of former AEI employees, mostly Chinese women. They were bolstered by a few concerned citizens, and supporters from different organizations such as the Brazilian Immigrant Center, Jobs with Justice, Massachusetts Workers Rights Board, Asian American Resource Workshop, Azine, and HERE UNITE Local 26 workers organizing the Hyatt boycott. Additionally, representatives from the offices of At-Large City Councilor Felix Arroyo and City Councilor Chuck Turner were also present to lend their support. A letter written by Councilor Arroyo in favor of the workers' demands was presented to Chiang.
Besides their demands for severance, the former employees also demonstrated for an end to workplace intimidation at AEI and that management recognize workers' right to organize; as well as public notice regarding whether AEI intends to sell or close the factory, so the affected community can be prepared. A public pressure campaign before the rally directed phone calls, emails, and faxes to AEI's leadership. With the laid-off workers' active intervention, the management posted prominent ?right to organize? information within factory grounds ? as well as a large sign with read characters saying supervisors are not allowed to swear at workers.
The workers will meet with management to finalize the severance agreement, as well as to raise the issue of ?profit-sharing' benefits that were suddenly cut before they were laid off, resulting in losses of about $10,000 per worker on average. They continue to struggle for their other demands ? as well as to press a complaint filed with the EEOC of age and sex discrimination. Their recent victory demonstrates the organizing power of even laid-off workers.
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AEI workers confront AEI Chairman
Previous articles on AEI workers:
Unemployed AEI Workers Demand Just Severance &
End to Workplace Abuse
