This afternoon, United Giving Hope and the Essential Workers Rights Network of the Milwaukee-based immigrants rights organization Voces de la Frontera protested outside of medical supply company Medline Industries in Waukegan, Illinois, to demand justice for what speakers at the action called systemic mistreatment of the largely immigrant workforce. one of the nations largest private health care companies and a leading manufacturer and distributor of medical supplies, products and services. Medline has hired over 27,000 employees and conduct operations in over 125 countries, with recent annual revenues of $17.5 billion, according to figures supplied by Voces de la Frontera. Dayna Blanco spoke at the rally, representing her husband, Juan Joaquin Blanco, who was injured at Medline. Dayna Blanco tells his story, with translation from Spanish provided by Christine Neumann-Ortiz of Voces de la Frontera.
That was Dayna Blanco, speaking for her husband, fired Medline Industries worker Juan Joaquin Blanco, translated by by Christine Neumann-Ortiz of Voces de la Frontera. Other Medline workers have come out with personal stories of alleged mistreatment. Jovita Marchan, 72 years old, was a 22-year employee of Medline who was allegedly fired after going to Medline human resources for accommodations for diabetes. 53-year-old Letitia Murillo was fired after returning from COVID-19 quarantine. According to Murillo, “Medline applies covid-19 protocols when it is convenient for production and there is also favoritism on the part of some supervisors.” The Essental Workers Rights Network of Voces de la Frontera was founded in response to workplace abuses that were happening at the height of the COVID-19 outbreak. They promise to continue the campaign to publicize what is happening at Medline. More information and a video of today’s action is available on the Voces de la Frontera website at vdlf.org. For Labor Radio, I’m Greg Geboski
Leave a Reply