Hear from Workers >> Mahelio Rico
Mahelio Rico | | Building Justice, Phoenix |
For five years, Mahelio Rico worked as an air conditioning installer at Chas Roberts, the largest privately owned air conditioning contractor in the United States. When the Sheet Metal Workers (SMWIA) union came to his job site a few years ago, he was very interested in what they had to say. Rico and his co-workers—mostly Latinos—had real concerns on the job. They complained of poor working conditions and a lack of sick pay, holiday pay, vacations, affordable family insurance and a pension plan. Chas Roberts workers also have complained of pay shortages, discrimination and problems of favoritism. Workers also are upset about safety on the job. Since 2003, there have been five Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) investigations involving Chas Roberts. OSHA has cited Chas for 17 violations, four of them serious, and fined the company thousands of dollars.  | | | |
Rico wanted to work with his co-workers to form a union to try to solve these problems. But when they tried to form their union, the workers suffered harsh retaliation from their employer. Workers suffer from frequent one-on-one meetings with managers and captive audience meetings. Chas Roberts hired the law firm of Ryley Carlock & Applewhite, which boasts their “union avoidance strategies.” Workers call it union-busting. The company fired Rico less than one month after he submitted evidence in support of a wage and hour lawsuit, claiming he took too long to travel to a new work location. When the union filed unfair labor practice charges against the company, management claimed Rico was late for work one day and stole an hour of their time. Despite these obstacles, Rico and his co-workers continue to fight for justice and the freedom to choose a union without harassment, intimidation or fear of losing their jobs. | 
