Palermo workers say,

A test of union organizing in the post-Walker-recall election era is baking in Milwaukee.

Marchers chanted, “No justice, no pizza” outside the Palermo’s pizza factory in Milwaukee Monday. Labor organizers say about 150 workers are on strike, while the company says the number is 70. Some employees have been fired over what workers say is Palermo’s refusal to recognize the employees’ right to form a union. Wages and working conditions are also in dispute. Christine Neumann-Ortiz of the pro-labor group “Voces de la Frontera” says Wisconsin voters may have sided with Governor Walker’s attack on public sector collective bargaining, but she says private sector organizing continues.

“Regardless of those elections, you cannot deny the reality that working people experience and live, and the necessity to organize collectively for better conditions and for dignity.”

Palermo’s marketing director, Chris Dresselhuys, contends working conditions at the plant are good, but he says Palermo’s would rather not have its employees form a union.

“We prefer to have direct communications with our employees. We believe that we work better as an organization in that way. However, the employees absolutely have a legal right to organize if they wish.”

The National Labor Relations Board has scheduled a union election at Palermo’s for July 6th. Palermo’s says it might step up an education campaign to talk to workers about organizing. Unions are asking for a boycott of Palermo’s until the labor issues are resolved.