Boycott of Mi Pueblo Foods
From the Dignity Campaign:
Media Advisory:
Contact: Eriberto Fernandez / 650-219-5598
Launching of Boycott Against Mi Pueblo Foods for Implementing E-Verify
San Jose, CA – Mercados Mi Pueblo, the largest northern California Latino market, announced on August 16 that it began to implement the flawed and reportedly controversial federal program known as E-Verify which checks all prospective employees’ work eligibility status. Vincent Alvarado, the company’s chief operating officer stated that the company can “now” concentrate on their “future growth opportunities”. Recently, the Los Angeles Times quoted Perla Rodriguez, the company public relations officer, alleging that Mi Pueblo “signed up for E-Verify at the recommendation of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.” Also, company officials claimed they felt a “lot of pressure” from immigration officials to sign up and that this program would only apply to prospective employees. However, an ICE official stated that the federal government “cannot force employers to participate [in this program].” Rocio Avila, a labor attorney, from the Women’s Employment Law Clinic in San Francisco recently stated that sometimes employers use E-Verify to discourage their employees from organizing labor unions.
Early this week Juvenal Chavez, the founder of Mi Pueblo Foods, said to his employees that the Department of Homeland Security “is currently conducting an I-9 audit at Mi Pueblo.” This announcement has created confusion and concern among current workers, community and consumers. Members of the Justice for Mercado Workers’ Coalition are trying to verify whether or not Mr. Chavez’s assertion is true.
Father Jon Pedigo from Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in San Jose, asserted that the “Mi Pueblo has a disturbing pattern involving the abuse of workers. This company is not here to serve the community, it is not a friend of the immigrant community, and it is, rather, an agitator in the immigrant community. By implementing E-Verify, Mi Pueblo is instilling fear and division among the people.” Rabbi Shelly Lewis from the East Palo Alto chapter of Bend the Arc, a workers rights’ advocacy group, stated that “Mi Pueblo is a successful company created by immigrants. A symbol of the opportunities we hope for in our country for all. However, we have seen in their stores a sourful record of mistreatment involving denial of fair wages, obstacles to organizing as workers, and finally the voluntary application of this E-Verify program.”
The boycott against M Pueblo will proceed as scheduled. It will begin on Monday, October 8, 2012 at 12:00 noon. The implementation of E-verify and the DHS I-9 audit potentially can affect hundreds if not thousands of workers and their families. The Justice for Mercado Workers’ Coalition demands that Mi Pueblo discontinue the use of E-Verify and to sign the Mercado Code of Conduct to ensure workers are treated fairly. Should Mi Pueblo refuse to sign the Mercado Code of Conduct and continue to use E-Verify after October 8, the indefinite boycott will commence.
What: Press Conference to Launch Boycott Against Mi Pueblo Foods
When: Monday, October 8, 2012
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Where: 1720 Story Rd., San Jose CA 95122 (Corner of King & White Rd. next to Chase Bank)
bh