Mass Jobs with Justice!

On May 3rd, Kyler’s Seafood a New Bedford company fired many of its workers. 52 undocumented immigrants lost their jobs that day, after only recieving a few days notice. Most of these workers had been there for over 5 years, one woman had been there for 18 years. The owner did not give them enough time, along with not paying them overtime ever, nor vacation time, or allowing appropriate time for lunch breaks. Some of the workers have joined with a community group, CCT in New Bedford for support. 

Two weeks agp a group of us from Jobs with Justice joined them in New Bedford for a vigil at the house of Kyler’s Seafood’s owner. A caravan of us, maybe 10 cars full of supporters from different organizations, and some workers gathered to hold a vigil. We held candels, and sang songs, while people gave testimonials in front of his home. All of the lights in the home were off, but that did not stop the workers, and organizers to knock on his door, and slide a signed letter of their demands under his door. 

Being there I was so proud of these workers for standing up for themselves, and demanding what they deserve. As undocumented immigrants, it can be hard to stand up for your rights in a country that you are not totally documented in. We were a group of immigrants, and allies speaking spanish/english, singing songs and speaking out against the owner, while we stood in front of his big mansion. It was just so clear that this man has profited so much from his busisness, while these people who had worked there for years, and now they were out of work, while he was out to dinner. Hopefully these workers will get their demands of severance pay.