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Title: Student workers protest at Hershey's, say their life not so sweet
Source:
LA Times
URL Source: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nat ... at-hersheys-packing-plant.html
Published: Aug 18, 2011
Author: Deborah Netburn
Post Date: 2011-08-23 10:38:11 by Fred Mertz
Keywords: None
Views: 39584
Comments: 70
For 400 foreign students, working at a Hershey's chocolate packing plant in Palmyra, Pa., may be less sweet than it sounds.
The National Guestworker Alliance filed a complaint Wednesday on behalf of 400 international students who had apparently paid $3,000 to $6,000 to participate in a U.S.-certified cultural exchange program. The complaint, sent to the U.S. Department of State, says the students were exploited by Hershey Co. and that the company takes unfair advantage of the program.
The students also launched a protest at the plant. Those protests were continuing Thursday, with the students, labor leaders and Pennsylvania workers who have joined the fight rallying in downtown Hershey, according to an email alert the alliance sent to The Times
The organization, which helped organize the protests, has dubbed their efforts the Justice at Hershey's Campaign.
The students, who hail from countries such as China, Turkey, Ukraine, Moldova, Mongolia, Ghana and Thailand, were recruited at their universities to participate in the U.S. State Department J-1 visa program, described on a U.S. State Department website as an Exchange Visitor Program. The program leads to a three-month visa that allows students to work in the United States while learning about American culture and improving their English skills.
The goal of the program, according to the State Department's site, is to foster "global understanding through educational and cultural exchange."
Instead, says a representative of the National Guestworker Alliance, students who wound up at the Hershey's plant were living in "economic captivity," forced to pay for mandatory company housing that left them with $40 to $140 a week for 40 hours of work.
"They were desperate and feeling isolated," the organization's communications director, Stephen Boykewich, said in an interview with The Times.
According to the complaint, conveniently made available to media, when the students complained about the violations of U.S. law, "they were threatened with deportation and other long term immigration consequences to remain quiet about the violations."
Hershey's did not respond to a Los Angeles Times' request for comment, but company officials told the Associated Press that the warehouse is run by a subcontractor and is expected to treat workers fairly. The AP also reports that a spokeswoman for the subcontractor says another company handles its guest worker program.
Of course, perhaps it shouldn't come as a surprise that working at a chocolate factory might not be all sweet dreams and chocolate Kisses. Weren’t the Oompa-Loompas kind of indentured servants?
Poster Comment:
Slave labor at its best for higher corporate profits.
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Comments (1-29) not displayed.
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#30. To: Godwinson, Fred Mertz, Thunderbird (#21)
That is roughly the cost of the visa fees plus round trip air tickets.
The J1 visa service fees include
* Issuance of the DS-2019 within two weeks of your complete application documents, your payment receipt, and after having received confirmation of your internship/training from your host company
* Direct FedEx Shipment of the DS-2019 to your home address
* Medical Insurance for the duration of your internship or training (optional insurance during grace period after internship/training)
* Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee ($180) paid by Intrax to the U.S. government
* Administrative costs associated with the processing of the DS-2019
* Pre-departure advisory services
* 24-hour emergency support during your stay in the USA
Not included:
* Embassy fee for interview at the U.S. embassy ($140)
* If applicable: On-site visit ($195)
* Airfare, housing, personal expenses etc.
http://www.intraxinternships.com...ternship-fees#visaservice
"...all of the equations in neoclassical economics are rubbish. The differential equations describe nothing. Economics is not about mathematics, it is about the human being." Sandeep Jaitly
#31. To: Thunderbird (#25)
If you go online you will find that this is all part of the Visa process, paying for lawyers to usher through the visa process, etc. You can find it all online.
With the economy still in the dumper -- maybe permanently? -- and full-time jobs becoming as scarce as rain during a drought, huge percentages of Americans have had their (misplaced) faith in the American dream shaken, the upper-middle-class consumerist lifestyle is exposed as a mirage for anybody who plays by the rules. Capitalism and the America that embraced it as a way of life is now and forever more a failure. It does me good to know that the generation that voted in Reagan and his ideology will see their America die from that ideology before their very own eyes and knowing they had a hand in its destruction.
#32. To: lucysmom (#30)
Thank you!
#33. To: Thunderbird (#28)
Once again..the student worker exchange program is a US State Dept. contrivance which needs to be shut down. Do you disagree?
There is no student worker exchange program per say. The program is designed to allow students to visit the USA and once here they can work while studying and exploring our culture. The corporations exploited this process to enslave foreign workers.
With the economy still in the dumper -- maybe permanently? -- and full-time jobs becoming as scarce as rain during a drought, huge percentages of Americans have had their (misplaced) faith in the American dream shaken, the upper-middle-class consumerist lifestyle is exposed as a mirage for anybody who plays by the rules. Capitalism and the America that embraced it as a way of life is now and forever more a failure. It does me good to know that the generation that voted in Reagan and his ideology will see their America die from that ideology before their very own eyes and knowing they had a hand in its destruction.
#34. To: mininggold (#27)
At the behest of corporate lobbyists.
Which may be true.. but clearly the program is taking jobs away from Americans.
Lets shut the program down and find out who squeals.
#35. To: Thunderbird (#28)
Once again..the student worker exchange program is a US State Dept. contrivance which needs to be shut down. Do you disagree?
State merely facilitates the exchange...
America...My Kind Of Place...
"I truly am not that concerned about [bin Laden]..."
--GW Bush
"THE MILITIA IS COMING!!! THE MILITIA IS COMING!!!"
--Sarah Palin's version of "The Midnight Ride of Paul revere"
I lurk to see if someone other than Myst or Pookie posts anything...
#36. To: Thunderbird (#28)
Once again..the student worker exchange program is a US State Dept. contrivance which needs to be shut down. Do you disagree?
Exchange programs are not a bad idea. What is a bad idea is private companies exploiting what should be an opportunity for the students, not a cheap labor boon for corporations.
"...all of the equations in neoclassical economics are rubbish. The differential equations describe nothing. Economics is not about mathematics, it is about the human being." Sandeep Jaitly
#37. To: Thunderbird (#34)
Which may be true.. but clearly the program is taking jobs away from Americans.Lets shut the program down and find out who squeals.
Would the program be taking jobs away from Americans if hiring companies were required to pay American wages?
"...all of the equations in neoclassical economics are rubbish. The differential equations describe nothing. Economics is not about mathematics, it is about the human being." Sandeep Jaitly
#38. To: lucysmom (#36)
Exchange programs are not a bad idea.
A program that takes jobs away from Americans is a bad idea.
#39. To: lucysmom (#37)
Would the program be taking jobs away from Americans if hiring companies were required to pay American wages?
We don't need to import foreigners to do shift work at the chocolate plant. Period.
Frankly I'm surprised the union locals siding with the students haven't figured this out yet.
#40. To: lucysmom, Thunderbird, go65 (#37)
Would the program be taking jobs away from Americans if hiring companies were required to pay American wages?
If conservatives supported minimum wage rights for all and unionized work places, these students would be making the same wages as everyone else or not be employed.
But conservatives are not for such things so here we are....
With the economy still in the dumper -- maybe permanently? -- and full-time jobs becoming as scarce as rain during a drought, huge percentages of Americans have had their (misplaced) faith in the American dream shaken, the upper-middle-class consumerist lifestyle is exposed as a mirage for anybody who plays by the rules. Capitalism and the America that embraced it as a way of life is now and forever more a failure. It does me good to know that the generation that voted in Reagan and his ideology will see their America die from that ideology before their very own eyes and knowing they had a hand in its destruction.
#41. To: Thunderbird (#38)
A program that takes jobs away from Americans is a bad idea.
That ain't free market thinking - government telling employers who they may or may not hire.
"...all of the equations in neoclassical economics are rubbish. The differential equations describe nothing. Economics is not about mathematics, it is about the human being." Sandeep Jaitly
#42. To: Thunderbird, lucysmom (#39)
Frankly I'm surprised the union locals siding with the students haven't figured this out yet.
Conservatives have broken the backs of unions. Now you lament the weak power of unions to right work place wrongs.
Will conservative contradictions never cease?
With the economy still in the dumper -- maybe permanently? -- and full-time jobs becoming as scarce as rain during a drought, huge percentages of Americans have had their (misplaced) faith in the American dream shaken, the upper-middle-class consumerist lifestyle is exposed as a mirage for anybody who plays by the rules. Capitalism and the America that embraced it as a way of life is now and forever more a failure. It does me good to know that the generation that voted in Reagan and his ideology will see their America die from that ideology before their very own eyes and knowing they had a hand in its destruction.
#43. To: Thunderbird (#39)
Frankly I'm surprised the union locals siding with the students haven't figured this out yet.
So then you think unions should be concerned only with who gets hired, not pay and working conditions of the employee?
"...all of the equations in neoclassical economics are rubbish. The differential equations describe nothing. Economics is not about mathematics, it is about the human being." Sandeep Jaitly
#44. To: Thunderbird (#39)
Excerpt:
Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department, which says it is investigating, runs the J-1 program that gave the students visas that brought them to the United States, and the Council for Educational Travel U.S.A, a nonprofit organization that recruited the students for the warehouse work, says students knew what they were getting into.
That is confusing enough. Add to the mix labor unions, which say they got involved in the protest to support the students, but also were quick to rally around and push the notion that these warehouse positions could be held by American workers.
www.pennlive.com/editoria...rkers_foreign_studen.html
In this Grapes of Wrath economy - making future doctors and professionals perform laborer jobs - might be the only jobs available. I don't know.
#45. To: Godwinson (#42)
Will conservative contradictions never cease?
When the contradictions cease, conservatives will be either on the ash heap of history, or in the catbird seat.
There is a congruent conservative message, but it would never be supported by the majority of voters needed to put it into practice.
"...all of the equations in neoclassical economics are rubbish. The differential equations describe nothing. Economics is not about mathematics, it is about the human being." Sandeep Jaitly
#46. To: Godwinson (#42)
Will conservative contradictions never cease?
Speaking of contradictions...do you agree the government sponsored J1 work/travel summer program is taking jobs away from Americans and should be shut down?
A simple yes or no would suffice...
#47. To: Fred Mertz (#44)
In this Grapes of Wrath economy - making future doctors and professionals perform laborer jobs - might be the only jobs available. I don't know.
This country has enough employment problems without importing a bunch of snotty foreign college kids to take summer jobs from the locals.
#48. To: Thunderbird (#47)
But they can hire them through a temp agency - they don't have the social security, medical, etc. expenses - much less than a US temp worker. Then they gouge them with the company rent expenses etc.
Hershey makes out like bandits and it boosts their corporate profits. What's not to like about that?
#49. To: Thunderbird, lucysmom (#46)
Speaking of contradictions...do you agree the government sponsored J1 work/travel summer program is taking jobs away from Americans and should be shut down?
I would not have a problem if the jobs offered paid the same wages as American jobs. If they are in the country legally then I don't have a problem. I have a problem with UNREGULATED businesses exploiting people.
With the economy still in the dumper -- maybe permanently? -- and full-time jobs becoming as scarce as rain during a drought, huge percentages of Americans have had their (misplaced) faith in the American dream shaken, the upper-middle-class consumerist lifestyle is exposed as a mirage for anybody who plays by the rules. Capitalism and the America that embraced it as a way of life is now and forever more a failure. It does me good to know that the generation that voted in Reagan and his ideology will see their America die from that ideology before their very own eyes and knowing they had a hand in its destruction.
#50. To: Fred Mertz (#48)
But they can hire them through a temp agency - they don't have the social security, medical, etc. expenses - much less than a US temp worker. Then they gouge them with the company rent expenses etc.
More likely Hershey paid the temp agency the going rate for the college kids and the temp agency and other middlemen took their cut before paying the kids. That is the 'de jour' practice of those type of services. Same thing applies to any 'benefits', you work for the temp agency not the corporation they contract with.
I've seen nothing to indicate Hershey was their landlord either. More likely, the temp agency or some other middleman was responsible.
Finally, if you don't like corporations taking advantage of foreign students why won't you join me in calling for the program to be shut down?
#51. To: Godwinson (#49)
I have a problem with UNREGULATED businesses exploiting people.
Then you are looking in the wrong place. If these kids were exploited, it wasn't by the corporation whose plant they worked in.
#52. To: Thunderbird (#51)
If these kids were exploited, it wasn't by the corporation whose plant they worked in.
You sound like the Hershey Company spokesperson.
#53. To: Thunderbird (#51)
Then you are looking in the wrong place. If these kids were exploited, it wasn't by the corporation whose plant they worked in.
The buck stops with Hershey.
#54. To: Thunderbird (#51)
If these kids were exploited, it wasn't by the corporation whose plant they worked in.
Wha...huh?
How can they who profit not be exploiters?
America...My Kind Of Place...
"I truly am not that concerned about [bin Laden]..."
--GW Bush
"THE MILITIA IS COMING!!! THE MILITIA IS COMING!!!"
--Sarah Palin's version of "The Midnight Ride of Paul revere"
I lurk to see if someone other than Myst or Pookie posts anything...
#55. To: mininggold (#53)
The buck stops with Hershey.
Nonsense.
Hershey is not responsible for these foreigners "feelings", something their sponsoring organization acknowleges even if you bleeding hearts won't.
Hershey didn't bring these spoiled brats into this country and they didn't make them any promises they couldn't keep.
If anyone should be investigated it is the 'procuring' companies who lure these teens into the program and their willing accomplices at DoS.
#56. To: Thunderbird, mininggold, war (#55)
If anyone should be investigated it is the 'procuring' companies who lure these teens into the program and their willing accomplices at DoS.
Using that logic. It's not the strip club that is responsible for the enslaved sex workers but rather the pimps that brought them to the club to dance......
With the economy still in the dumper -- maybe permanently? -- and full-time jobs becoming as scarce as rain during a drought, huge percentages of Americans have had their (misplaced) faith in the American dream shaken, the upper-middle-class consumerist lifestyle is exposed as a mirage for anybody who plays by the rules. Capitalism and the America that embraced it as a way of life is now and forever more a failure. It does me good to know that the generation that voted in Reagan and his ideology will see their America die from that ideology before their very own eyes and knowing they had a hand in its destruction.
#57. To: Godwinson (#56)
Using that logic. It's not the strip club that is responsible for the enslaved sex workers but rather the pimps that brought them to the club to dance......
Poorly drawn analogies aside..Hershey wanted some temporary workers to help out during the summer. They engaged a staffing company and paid them to provide some workers.
The staffing company in turn was working with some student worker organization to bring this spoiled euro-trash into the United states. Hershey doesn't control who the staffing company sends them nor do they pay the kids directly.
There aren't any known OSHA violations at the Hershey warehouse, and the kids worked a straight 40 hour week.
The kids are "upset" because they thought it was going to be more "fun", not because of any poor working conditions.
The sooner the little shits are sent home the better.
#58. To: Thunderbird (#57)
Hershey wanted some temporary workers to help out during the summer.
So that/those plant[s] only operate[s] in the Summer?
America...My Kind Of Place...
"I truly am not that concerned about [bin Laden]..."
--GW Bush
"THE MILITIA IS COMING!!! THE MILITIA IS COMING!!!"
--Sarah Palin's version of "The Midnight Ride of Paul revere"
I lurk to see if someone other than Myst or Pookie posts anything...
#59. To: war (#58)
So that/those plant[s] only operate[s] in the Summer?
No..they likely add production capacity in the summer to keep their stores stocked during tourist season and in preperation for the big candy selling fall season.
If Obama wants to "do something" about jobs he should direct the state department to stop issuing these J1 work/travel visas until the economy is back on its feet.
#60. To: Thunderbird (#59)
If Obama wants to "do something" about jobs he should direct the state department to stop issuing these J1 work/travel visas until the economy is back on its feet.
How does that stop the fact that Hershey exploited workers?
America...My Kind Of Place...
"I truly am not that concerned about [bin Laden]..."
--GW Bush
"THE MILITIA IS COMING!!! THE MILITIA IS COMING!!!"
--Sarah Palin's version of "The Midnight Ride of Paul revere"
I lurk to see if someone other than Myst or Pookie posts anything...
#61. To: war (#60)
Hershey didn't 'exploit' the workers..it is a baseless assertion. If anything the workers 'exploited' Hershey by protesting in front of their main retail outlet at the height of tourist season. It wouldn't surprise me if Hershey sues the stafffing company that hired these foreign "students" as well as that sleazy procurement outfit CETUSA.
#62. To: Thunderbird (#61)
Hershey didn't 'exploit' the workers..it is a baseless assertion.
Hershey doesn't own and operate that plant?
America...My Kind Of Place...
"I truly am not that concerned about [bin Laden]..."
--GW Bush
"THE MILITIA IS COMING!!! THE MILITIA IS COMING!!!"
--Sarah Palin's version of "The Midnight Ride of Paul revere"
I lurk to see if someone other than Myst or Pookie posts anything...
#63. To: war (#62)
Lol!
Who cares who 'owns' the packing facility..the student workers WEREN'T exploited there.
#64. To: Thunderbird (#63)
Who cares who 'owns' the packing facility..the student workers WEREN'T exploited there.
If not there...where?
America...My Kind Of Place...
"I truly am not that concerned about [bin Laden]..."
--GW Bush
"THE MILITIA IS COMING!!! THE MILITIA IS COMING!!!"
--Sarah Palin's version of "The Midnight Ride of Paul revere"
I lurk to see if someone other than Myst or Pookie posts anything...
#65. To: war (#64)
If not there...where?
Not at Hershey..which is all thats needed to demonstrate the falsity of their assertions.
#66. To: Thunderbird (#65)
The exploitation includes their working conditions.
I'm trying to understand your argument but am...failing...
America...My Kind Of Place...
"I truly am not that concerned about [bin Laden]..."
--GW Bush
"THE MILITIA IS COMING!!! THE MILITIA IS COMING!!!"
--Sarah Palin's version of "The Midnight Ride of Paul revere"
I lurk to see if someone other than Myst or Pookie posts anything...
#67. To: war (#66)
The exploitation includes their working conditions.I'm trying to understand your argument but am...failing...
Once again..there was no exploitation at Hershey (see below).
CETUSA Response to State Dept. Complaint.
#68. To: Thunderbird (#67)
...there was no exploitation at Hershey
Why are you so blind that you can't see?
#69. To: Fred Mertz (#68)
Why are you so blind that you can't see?
Help me out Fredddie...post something that counters the CETUSA response to the State Dept. above.
Do you think you can manage that task without feeling...exploited?
#70. To: Thunderbird (#69)
Excerpt:
“We were disappointed to learn that some of the students were dissatisfied with the cultural exchange element of the program,” said Hershey rep Kirk Saville. “We want to ensure that all the students have a positive experience of this program and leave the United States with an understanding of the Hershey Company.”
Saville said Hershey had asked the plant’s operators to give the students a paid week off so they could see America before returning to their factory jobs.
www.newsmax.com/US/Hershe...ents/2011/08/26/id/408768
I'm sure these students have a wonderful understanding of how the Hershey Company operates now. I read about a strike that led to riots at the Hershey plant in April 1937. Even then the bosses pitted non-strikers and farmers who provided their dairy products against the strikers. The article I read didn't identify the strikers' grievances.
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