Unions make push to recruit protected immigrants
Source: AP-Excite
By SARA BURNETT
CHICAGO (AP) — Unions across the U.S. are reaching out to immigrants affected by President Barack Obama's recent executive action, hoping to expand their dwindling ranks by recruiting millions of workers who entered the U.S. illegally.
Labor leaders say the president's action, which curbs deportation and gives work permits to some 4 million immigrants, will give new protection to workers who have been reluctant to join for fear of retaliation.
"I think we'll see very positive changes" because of the action, said Tom Balanoff, president of Service Employees International Union Local 1. "One of them, I hope, is that more workers will come forward and want to organize."
SEIU, whose more than 2 million members include janitors and maintenance workers, recently announced a website where immigrants can learn about the action. The AFL-CIO says it's training organizers to recruit eligible workers. And the United Food and Commercial Workers and other unions are planning workshops and partnering with community groups and churches to reach out to immigrants.
FULL story at link.
In this Dec. 2, 2014 photo, Felipe Diosdado speaks about how President Obama{2019}s executive action on immigration will help him and his family during a news conference in Chicago. Diosdado, 36, came to the U.S. illegally in 1997 and is now a member of the Service Employees International Union Local 1. Unions like SEIU are reaching out to immigrants affected by Obama{2019}s action in hopes of expanding labor{2019}s dwindling ranks. (AP Photo/Sara Burnett)
Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20141224/us--immigration-unions-8cf2c4700e.html
