Eight arrested in protests at Chipotle restaurant

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?news_6_4737

23 January 2011

MINNEAPOLIS - In protest of Chipotle's mistreatment of immigrant workers, eight people were arrested Thursday in an act of civil disobedience at a Chipotle store in downtown Minneapolis.

The action in Minneapolis, which was supported by solidarity events at stores in several other states, came in the wake of Chipotle abruptly firing nearly 700 Latino immigrant workers in Minnesota, without notice and in some cases without paying back wages.

"We are here today with a simple message for Chipotle: You cannot sell Mexican food and then sell out Mexican workers," said the Rev. Grant Stevensen, pastor of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in St. Paul. "After years of service, Chipotle has failed to treat these workers with any sense of integrity - in most cases even breaking Minnesota employment statutes by failing to pay back wages."


Protesters filled a Chipotle restaurant in downtown Minneapolis.

During the action at a Chipotle store in downtown Minneapolis, activists carried signs with the photos of recently fired workers bearing the slogans: "Chipocrisy: Selling Mexican Culture and then Selling Out Mexican Workers," and "Chipotle Treats their Chickens and Produce Better than they Treat their Employees".

FULL story at link.

[Puregonzo1188]

1. K&R

We need more actions like this.

[Liberal_in_LA]

2. sorry to hear this. I visit their restaurants periodically.

[LaurenG]

3. Thank goodness for good people K & R nt

[Starry Messenger]

4. k&r

[xchrom]

5. Recommend

[msanthrope]

6. Weren't those fired unable to prove they were legal to work?

I have no problem with firing those who are not legally allowed to work. I do have a problem with pay being witheld, if those accusations are true.


"Chipotle responded that accused workers were given one-on-one opportunities to provide documents that could prove they were legally able to work in the United States. If they couldn't, they were fired in accordance with U.S. law, Arnold said, adding that pay and accumulated vacation time were paid promptly.

The investigation of Chipotle began several months ago, Arnold said, when ICE asked to see work eligibility documents. The company was not told why it was singled out for review. ICE then provided Chipotle with a list of employees whose documents might be invalid, he said.

Chipotle tries to screen new employees, but some provide false documents showing they are eligible workers, Arnold said. In cases where employees insist they have the proper documents, Chipotle has sought to give them extra time to produce the identification, he said.

"We have asked ICE whether they would allow a 90-day period to resolve discrepancies, and they have told us that they absolutely would not," Arnold said."

http://www.startribune.com/business/114310024.html?elr=KArks:DCiUMEaPc:UiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUoD3aPc:_27EQU

I can't blame Chipotle for complying with ICE. I just hope they didn't fire anybody who was eligible to work.