Statement in Support of Detained Migrant Workers Striking at Mesa Verde and Golden State Annex
Monday July 25 2022
Graduate Employees Organization Local 6300
Statement in Support of Detained Migrant Workers Striking at Mesa Verde and Golden State Annex
Immigrant workers held in for-profit detention facilities owned by GEO Group (no relation to our union) at Mesa Verde (Bakersfield, CA) and Golden State Annex (McFarland, CA) have been on strike since April 27 and June 6, 2022, respectively. These migrant workers, who seek jobs to better their lives in the U.S., have been unjustly detained and forced to work for $1 per day. As one striking worker said, “We don’t understand the hypocrisy: outside of detention we’re not allowed to work because of our immigration status, and here we’re told we can work but they only pay us $1 a day. We feel they’re taking advantage of us and our situation.” The Mesa Verde and Golden State Annex immigrant workers are striking over the unsanitary conditions of the facility. Strikers are being retaliated against by the detention center’s operators for speaking out against the conditions at the facility. Two strike leaders have been placed in solitary confinement as punishment for their role in the strike. We propose the following resolution:
Whereas, a safe work environment, clean housing, and access to healthcare are fundamental rights for workers regardless of national origin, citizenship status, religion, race, gender, or sexual orientation.
Whereas, Mesa Verde and Golden State Annex strikers are demanding
1. Dignified treatment for all detainees
2. Wage increase for detained migrant workers to $15 per hour
3. Change of bed linen, towels, clothing and footwear appropriate to the climate and activity and in good condition.
4. Good quality personal hygiene items
5. Quality food, in adequate portions and with fresh and clean fruits; hot water at all meals.
6. Drinking water throughout the center
7. In-person visitation rights and free virtual tours
8. Hiring of a residential and dedicated physician for the center, referral service to specialists; sunblock in the summer.
Whereas, the immigrant workers detained at Mesa Verde and Golden State Annex current worksite is also the detention center
Be it resolved, Graduate Employees Organization Local 6300 stands with Mesa Verde and Golden State Annex workers in their demands and their right to strike. We call for all of the demands to be met and an end to the repression of strike leaders.
Be it further resolved, we support the immediate release of Mesa Verde detainees who have been held in conditions which violate their basic human rights. In an effort to help the strikers win their rights we encourage donations to the strike fund, https://www.gofundme.com/f/ solidaridad-mesa-verde .
The Graduate Employees’ Organization, AFT/IFT Local 6300, AFL-CIO, at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, represents approximately 2,700 Teaching and Graduate Assistants on the UIUC Campus. In November 2009 and in February 2018, over 1,000 GEO members and allies participated in a strike to secure a fair contract and more accessible UIUC campus. With an active presence in the community, the GEO continues to work for high-quality and accessible public education in Illinois.
For more information, please contact geo@uigeo.org. More information can also be found on GEO’s website at www.uiucgeo.org.
Twitter: @geo_uiuc
Facebook: @uigeo @geosolcomm
Instagram: @geo_uiuc