Company Challenges Union Vote, Invoking Workers’ Illegal Status

Should illegal immigrants have the right to join worker's unions is one of the problems across the United States of America which continues to be debated from State to Federal governments. This was the main problem I encountered in the article I read in the New York Times. According to the New York Times, Agriprocessors is considered to be the nation’s largest kosher meat producer which is also known for its legal troubles surrounding illegal immigrants. In May 2008, federal agents detained 389 illegal workers in an Iowa plant and now, another 17 immigrants in its Brooklyn based company. The immigration problem surrounding illegal immigrants remains a macro problem within the United States. While I entirely agree with the fact that illegal immigrants have no right to obtain union rights, let alone be in the country, one must ask how this company has allowed this problem to escalate into new heights. Lisa O’Leary, executive vice president of Local 342 said, “Whether people are undocumented or not, they deserve to have some union represent them.” I disagree with Lisa because they do not deserve to have benefits at the expense of tax payers. Am I the only who see this? The tax payers are using their hard earned money to pay for benefits such as welfare and health care for these illegal aliens. I believe these people are trying to live the American Dream unlawfully. The government could use this money to help build new schools or help build a housing project for the poor, anything but help these criminals benefit from our money. It is a proven that the government is throwing away millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money in order to support these illegal immigrants. I believe that this is truly unfair for American citizens. The American people should be seeing their tax money put into good use rather than help fugitives find their feet in America. It is quite clear that this issue is still widespread across America.

The final issue I want to discuss is how Agriprocessor is handling this union problem. While I applaud their efforts not to unionize the illegal workers, I must say the legal workers of Agriprocessor are at a major disadvantage. Not only are they being denied their right to having union benefits, they are also being dragged into this matter. According to the article, 14 of the workers went on strike for seven weeks and unfortunately for them, the company responded by firing them. I believe it’s a shame that some Americans are being forced out of their jobs, as well as not having their basic union rights due to the growing number of illegal immigrants working in America. I believe it is about time that the government enforces stronger laws and punishments regarding this immigration matter as the American workers and taxpayers are feeling the effects of this financially. Something must be done and it must be done immediately!

Article Written by: Steven Greenhouse
The New York Times
Monday September 1, 2008 Issue
Section A18