Current, and former employees from Pizza Huts as far as Elgin gathered in West Bucktown today to protest recent layoffs, affecting an estimated 100 Latino workers, primarily those with the most seniority at the chain, which is part of the Texas based Yum Brands corporation. Chants of "Si, se puede," or "Yes, we can!" (I think) filled the air as protestors passed out flyers encouraging the public to call Pizza Hut President Scott Bergren, and "Tell him that Pizza Hut should stop firing its long-time immigrant employees and return those it has already fired back to work."
According to organizer Leone Jose Bicchieri, of the Chicago Workers Collaborative, the impetus for the firings were Social Security "No Match" letters sent to Pizza Hut franchisees requiring them to correct mismatched SSNs, and to update name, and address information for affected employees. Per the National Immigration Law Center, the only obligation of an employer upon receipt of an SSA "No Match" letter is to notify its employee for the purpose of obtaining the correct information. In this case, however, employees were released from their positions, many after decades of service. Pictured here are five employees of an Elgin Pizza Hut with over 40 years of combined experience. The women received letters last week notifying them that they would be terminated on account of the "No Match" letters.
Leonardo, a worker from a Melrose Park Pizza Hut, was recently let go, along with his wife. Both worked in the kitchen for 10 years, and were replaced by younger, and cheaper workers. Per Leonardo, he suspects that it is easier because Pizza Hut will not have to pay the new workers vacation hours, and they will work 32 hours per week vs. 40.
Sources: Leone Jose Bicchieri, Chicago Workers Collaborative, 773-655-0815, leonejb@prodigy.net
Per the flyer (sorry, no scanner), call Pizza Hut President, Scott Bergren, at 972-338-7700.
So they're illegals with no or fake SSNs?
ReplyDeleteI guess it's possible, but regardless if they are legal, or illegal, they were terminated unjustly by Pizza Hut. You could also put the ball in Pizza Hut's court, and if they were aware of the mismatched SSN years ago, or if they knew that they were employing illegal immigrants then they hired just as unjustly as they fired.
ReplyDeleteWhat's unjust about firing illegals?
ReplyDeletenothing.
well, if you ever had a job for ten years and you were fired illegaly, would you call it unjust?
ReplyDeletewhether you have documents or not, workers are workers and we all need to stand up for one another. i can understand if one is too lazy to have a job, or if they don't have the brains to understand this. but if you will take the side of the boss over the side of the workers you are a traitor.
You mean to tell me that you are asking us to support people that are breaking our laws and have been, breaking the laws of our country for more than a decade? Not paying taxes? Why is it wrong to request that they prove that they can work here, I don't care how long they worked for PH. Legal workers cannot find a job because there are so many workers here that do not belong. You are asking us to assist them in breaking our laws? You cannot be serious.
ReplyDeleteI agree. They got away with working illegally for many years, which gave them plenty of time to become ligit and they didn't bother. They did it to themselves. Now they are out of work in a bad economy where it will be all the more difficult to find work. They should have done the right thing.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know how long it takes to become a U.S. citizen? I hear it can take many years.
ReplyDelete