Actually, the union in this particular case (Holiday Inn Express in Minneapolis) won the election and negotiated a first contract. The hotel called in the INS after the union won the election in an obvious attempt at retaliation. The local labor community rallied in outraged protest, and the NLRB issued the fines in an expedited process.
Still, there even though this group of workers did successfully organize, the employers' action in calling in the INS and getting the workers deported (despite the compensation the workers received from the NLRB process) may likely have a chilling effect on other immigrant workers organizing. So the results are mixed.
-Andy English Twin Cities, MN
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>From: Doug Henwood <dhenwood at panix.com>
>To: lbo-talk at lists.panix.com
>Subject: amnesty
>Date: Sat, Feb 19, 2000, 2:16 AM
>Yes, Nathan, I don't see how this is a victory! There were deported, the
>union drive was crushed; nor do I see how amnesty for some will protect
>other trabajadores sin papeles in the future. They seem defenceless in
>front of the law. Protection is only enjoyed by citizens, not workers
>because they are workers. The amnesty plan does nothing to improve the
>situation for those who remain 'illegal'.