A discussion with Cristina Chalas Robles, Fedotrazonas union, Dominican Republic
Cristina Chalas Robles is an organizer with the Fedotrazonas union federation in the Dominican Republic. She worked in the garment industry for four years. It was not unusual for workers at her factory to faint from the heat and become nauseated from chemical exposure.
To help bring change to the factory floor, Cristina decided to form a union, but was harassed and eventually fired for standing up for her rights. Cristina didn't give up: now she is a lead organizer in the campaign to win a collective bargaining agreement at a factory owned by Gildan. Gildan is one of the largest suppliers of blank t-shirts in the world.
Cristina also brings the story of Fedotrazonas' victory in creating a unionized factory to the village of Altagracia, Dominican Republic. Alta Gracia is a ground-breaking new model for the global economy; workers earn a living wage -- over three times the local minimum wage -- at this thriving factory which is helping eradicate poverty in the community.
Bilingual event. Refreshments will be served.
Sponsored by the Hampshire Union of Activists, International Labor Rights Forum, SweatFree Communities, and WMass Jobs with Justice.