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UNITE HERE ends strike at Congress Hotel

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Strike ends just shy of 10 years.
Photo by Unite Here
Strikers are shown last year on the picket line.

By Fox Valley
Labor News staff
Thursday, June 6, 2013
     They almost made it to 10 years, but the strike at the Congress Hotel downtown is over. UNITE HERE Local 1 officially called it quits May 30, citing the futility of striking against an owner that isn’t even based in the United States anymore.
     “The decision to end the Congress strike was a hard one, but it is the right time for the union and the strikers to move on. The boycott has effectively dramatically reduced the hotel’s business. The hotel treats their workers and customers equally poor and the community knows it. There is no more to do there. The reclusive owner lives in Geneva and Tel Aviv and hasn’t been to Chicago since the strike started. We don’t see getting a contract here, and we have many more battles to fight for economic justice,” said UNITE HERE Local 1 President Henry Tamarin in a statement.
     On June 15, 2003, Father’s Day that year, 130 members (100 percent of the workers) of UNITE HERE, Chicago’s hospitality worker union, walked out on strike after the hotel unilaterally reduced their wages, froze their health care contributions, and demanded the right to subcontract out all the work to minimum wage subcontracted workers.
     The strikers have picketed regularly ever since and held mass rallies over the years. Prominent political leaders including then U.S. Senator Barack Obama, Governor Pat Quinn, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinckle, and numerous others have walked the line in support of the workers.
     A majority of Congress strikers are immigrants to the United States and showed how low wage workers could lead the fight to raise the standards for hospitality workers and other low wage workers.
     When the Congress strikers went out on strike, the standard wage for room attendants was $8.83 per hour. The city wide standard for room attendants is now $16.40 an hour. Congress hotel room attendants still make $8.83 per hour.
     The union has found jobs for more than 60 strikers over the years and is looking for more. It has made an unconditional offer to return to work on behalf of the strikers, but it is unclear whether any strikers will choose to.

Strike ends for Laborers one day before big rally

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Ottawa Strike Ends
Jennifer Rice photo
Members of Laborers’ Local 393 are shown on strike fighting unfair labor practices against Ottawa Pavilion. Working without a contract since July 31, 2012, employees went back to work May 28. They are expected to approve a contract next week.


By Jennifer Rice
Managing Editor
Thursday, May. 30, 2013
     OTTAWA — A day before a massive rally was set for striking laborers employed at Ottawa Pavillion Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Ottawa, its owners reached out to Local 393 leaders and wanted to talk.
     “We had no meeting planned for both sides to meet,” explained Laborers’ Local 393 Business Manager Todd Stehl, “but I had previously reached out to one of the owners and he called back — they wanted to met.”
     That meeting was arranged for May 24. Many things were discussed — including contract talks, getting employes back to work and when to meet again to review the final contact.
     What was agreed was to get employes back to work. Stehl said Tuesday, May 28 was the official first day back to work for employees, which include CNAs, maintenance, housekeeping, laundry and dietary workers.
     Ottawa Pavillion will present the final contract to Local 393 management Tuesday, June 4. “We’re hoping we can immediately bring it back to our members and get it ratified in the following days,” he explained.
     Members of Laborers’ Local 393 had planned a 5-hour rally Saturday, May 25. Various unions from the Illinois Valley Building Trades Council, Illinois Valley Federation of Labor and others were expected to attend the rally. Even though Stehl did his best to get out the word the rally was canceled, not every one heard and Stehl said several supports turned out.
     “We decided to march anyway. I brought everyone up to date on what was going on and how the girls were going back to work,” Stehl said.
     About 70 Local 393 members went on strike Saturday, May 18 protesting unfair labor practices and bad faith bargaining on behalf of Ottawa Pavillion. Employees had been working on an expired contract, which expired July 31, 2012.
     Stehl stressed the union never walked away from the table. “That was never the case,” he said.
     The union members were fighting for a contract that would keep things the same. Ottawa Pavillion wanted to remove uniform allowances and change shift differential pay to a lesser amount.
     Members wanted seniority language included where available hours would be given to senior members — over new hires. “Pretty much, they wanted to stay with what they had and not have anything taken away. I feel it’s a good contract for them,” Stehl said.
     In the end, members were excited to get back to work. “Everybody would rather work than not work. Our members never wanted to go out on strike, but we needed to be firm and let them know we weren’t messing around,” Stehl explained.

Jennifer Rice’s e-mail address is jen@foxvalleylabornews.com.

Union members, students, bring food, joy to residents

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Mobile food pantry
Jennifer Rice photo
IBEW Local 461 Assistant Business Manager Shaun Thomas carries groceries back to the apartment of a Constitution House resident.


By Jennifer Rice
Managing Editor
Thursday, May 23, 2013
     Good things happen when union members and students join forces to distribute food to area seniors.
     Representatives from various building trades and students from the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy spent their morning May 15 at two residential senior homes distributing food from the Northern Illinois Food Bank (NIFB) mobile pantry and talking with seniors.
     Danny Gutierrez, resident service coordinator with Constitution House on Aurora’s West Side, said the union members distribute food while the students help residents back to their apartments.
     “The union members and students are always here to help with the mobile food pantry and they are wonderful. For our residents, this really is a social event,” Gutierrez explained.
     The NlFB mobile pantry was purchased by the Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry (AAIFP) and stocked by the NIFB. It holds 9,000 pounds of food. Residents received frozen meat, dry goods, juice and cleaning supplies.
     Brisa Barraza, program coordinator with the AAIFP said they try and stock the mobile food pantry with food that is appropriate for the residents.
     “We’re aware some might be on diet restrictions, so we try and bring a variety of low sugar foods and sodium restricted,” Barraza explained.
     The mobile food pantry makes regular stops at Constitution House and it’s a date residents always look forward to. “Even though the pantry wasn’t open until 9 a.m., the residents have been lined up for hours. They gather in the lobby, have coffee and talk. It’s a social event for them,” Gutierrez said.
     While outside in line, residents also get chatty with the students who assist them through the line, then carry the boxes of food back to their apartments. Some will tell the students about themselves, but more often than not, they are curious about the students.
     AAIFP Director of Operations Kristan Ensminger said residents enjoy talking with the students. “They seem to really open up more towards the younger kids than they would adults,” she explained.
     The mobile food pantry’s second stop was Lutheran Social Services where more than 100 seniors received food. Union members informed the residents of the varieties of frozen meat available, all the while restocking food and breaking down boxes.
     “The union members are amazing. When they are here — this mobile food pantry runs like clockwork. They know exactly what to do and are always a huge help,” Ensminger explained.
     Lutheran Social Services Property Managers Colleen Smith said she was so impressed by the hard work by both the students and union members. “It’s so great they do this. It makes so many people happy,” she said.

Jennifer Rice’s e-mail address is jen@foxvalleylabornews.com.

Truck winner gets a little help from his daughter

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PDC 30 gives away truck for safety
Jennifer Rice photo
Brian Coon raises the key to his brand new Ford F150 truck he won at PDC 30s STARs event, where union members were honored for their commitment to continuing education in safety and health classes. Employed at Ghelardini, Inc. in Pekin, Coon is a member of IUPAT Local 157.


By Jennifer Rice
Managing Editor
Thursday, May 23, 2013
     Brian Coon’s said without a doubt, his daughter is his good luck charm.
With his daughter Jenaya in the crowd May 18 at the Painters District Council 30’s Safety Training Awards Recognition (STARs) event, Coon inserted a key into a lock — which opened more than just the lock. It opened the box that held the key to a brand new Ford F150 truck.
Not only did he win the grand prize, his name was also drawn for another prize — a 42-inch flat screen TV. He knew he wouldn’t be able to drive the truck home that night, but he joked that the truck he drove to the STARs event didn’t have room to bring home the 42-inch TV. To understand better, click to read
“I’m going to have to leave both here,” he said with a laugh.
Coon’s daughter Jenaya was beaming for her dad. At first she wasn’t going to come to the STARs event, but at the last minute, she changed her mind.
“I’m glad she did,” Coon said.
PDC 30’s Labor Management Industry Development Fund (LMIDF) STARs program is an incentive program that rewards members who take advantage of continuing education in health and safety subjects and maintain an outstanding safety record on the job.
STARs Coordinator and Outreach Associate Dave Panico said the additional training keeps members working. He said the training isn’t a must have — but it’s headed that way.
“The industry is leading towards making training a must have,” Panico explained. “It’s writing it’s own path in that direction.
Coon was one of 170 members who qualified to win the truck. This year, the way the winner was chosen changed. Instead of picking a name and ending the excitement as soon as it was read, 10 names were chosen, and then each member chose a key. When it comes to the transportation industry i thought about this company that’s offering a great career for the ones interested.
Coon was the second of 10 members to chose his key. PDC 30 Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer Chuck Anderson stood near the locked box. He noticed the first qualifier’s key was a blank key. When he saw Coon’s key, he noticed it had been cut.
“I could see all the teeth on the key and I told Brian, ‘You won. You just won yourself a truck,’” Anderson said.
Coon remembered he hadn’t yet inserted the key when Anderson told him he’d won the truck. “I told him I really need a truck. I have a 1991 S10 rusted out pickup, so I really needed this.”
Jenaya called her mom to tell her the good news, but she didn’t believe her daughter. Anderson took the phone and talked to Coon’s wife. “Brian just won a truck — he really did,” Anderson said.

Jennifer Rice’s e-mail address is jen@foxvalleylabornews.com.

In Chicago, Hyatt workers launch protests against Pritzker nomination

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Fox Valley
Labor News Staff
Monday, May 20, 2013
     CHICAGO — Hometown to Hyatt Hotels and President Obama, Hyatt workers are launching protests against the nomination of Penny Pritzker as Commerce Secretary, just days before confirmations hearings begin. Hyatt workers have been locked in a protracted battle with Hyatt that has resulted in numerous strikes nationwide and a global boycott of Hyatt Hotels. Pritzker’s family built its financial empire with Hyatt Hotels and maintains a controlling interest in the company.
     Hundreds of Chicago hotel workers, members of UNITE HERE Local 1 and community allies are encouraging the public to attend a rally today, from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Hyatt McCormick Place, 2233 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Dr., in Chicago.
     Hyatt has singled itself out as the worst hotel employer in the U.S., leading the industry in outsourcing practices that destroy good jobs and hurt housekeepers. In a first for the hotel industry OSHA recently issued a companywide letter to Hyatt warning it of the hazards its housekeepers face on the job.
     In Chicago, Hyatt workers have endured a four-year wage freeze amid contract negotiations that have stalled around issues of subcontracting and safer working conditions for housekeepers. In recent months, workers have appealed to the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA), which owns Hyatt McCormick Place, to push Hyatt to provide wage increases that would give financial relief to workers.
     “Our wages have been frozen since 2009 and our families are suffering,” says Cristian Toro, a banquet server at the Hyatt Regency McCormick. “Hyatt has set a bad example for the rest of the hotel industry, and we’re taking a stand.”
     “The Commerce Secretary’s first concern should be to create good, family sustaining jobs for all Americans,” says Cathy Youngblood, a Hyatt housekeeper who has led a national campaign to elect a hotel worker to Hyatt’s Board of Directors. “Under Pritzker’s direction, Hyatt has led the hotel industry in a race to the bottom by aggressively subcontracting out career hotel jobs to minimum wage temps. This is not the model that will lead our country to a bright economic future.”
     May 2, Obama announced his nomination of Pritzker to Commerce Secretary. Confirmation hearings begin Thursday, May 23. Pritzker has been a Director at Hyatt since 2004.
     The cause of Hyatt workers has been championed by civil rights leaders nationally, including the National Organization of Women (NOW), the National Gay and Lesbian Taskforce and the National Council of La Raza (NCLR).

Thousands prepare for march against school closings

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Scabby the Rat is shown at a Downers Grove protest

Fox Valley
Labor News Staff
Thursday, May 16, 2013
     CHICAGO — The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) announced that as the city braces itself for the largest assault on public education in the country, thousands of parents, students, teachers, clergy, citizens and community leaders are preparing for a march against school closings on May 18, 19 and 20.
     Many of the neighborhoods along the South and West side routes that marchers will travel already have been adversely affected by rising crime during Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s first term, in addition to the long-term impact of massive home and business foreclosures and steady unemployment. Mass school closings will further decimate and destabilize these minority communities.
     “The devastation that the neighborhood schools faced came long before the latest list of school closures came down the pipeline,” said CTU President Karen Lewis in a press conference at Mayo Elementary, a South Side school slated for closure.
     The 30-plus mile march is themed, “Our City. Our Schools. Our Voice,” and will include simultaneous routes from the West and South sides of the city. Protestors intend to walk each day past many of the 54 school communities slated for closure and their efforts will culminate in a mass demonstration in Daley Plaza.
     It is sponsored by the CTU, the Grassroots Education Movement, SEIU Local 1, Unite Here Local 1 and Chicago PEACE, an interdenominational coalition of clergy leaders from across the city. Donations are pouring in from across the country.
     “Despite the testimony of thousands of parents, teachers and people who work and living in the school communities impacted, Rahm Emanuel is dedicated to entering the history books as having destroyed the most public schools in one year than anyone in history,” Lewis said.
     “He refuses to listen to independent judges, law enforcement officials, educators, researchers and the students themselves. We have no choice but to use power of organizing to engage in what will be a long fight to restore sanity to our school district.”
     The march kicks off at 10 a.m. May 18 on the South Side at Jesse Owens Elementary School, 12450 S. State St., and on the near West Side at Jean de Lafayette Elementary School, 2714 W. Augusta Blvd.
     “School closings hurt children academically and the mayor’s plan will also put thousands of students’ safety at risk and many public school employees may lose their jobs,” Lewis said.
     “We must do whatever is necessary to stop this assault on the working class and the poor. In the midst of getting angry, we must organize. We want to tell Emanuel, the Board, the school CEO and their corporate sponsors that this is our city, these are our schools and we will use our voice to fight for justice.”
     The mayor’s hand-picked Chicago Board of Education will vote on school closings on Wednesday, May 22. Shortly thereafter, a massive voter registration drive will commence throughout the city.

Jennifer Rice’s e-mail address is jen@foxvalleylabornews.com.

Police learn what is protected under Labor Dispute Act

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Scabby the Rat is shown at a Downers Grove protest
Fox Valley Labor News file photo
Three types of pickets are recognitional, unfair labor practice and violating area standards. Scabby the Rat, pictured above, was used in a 2012 violating area standards picket in Downers Grove.

By Jennifer Rice
Managing Editor
Thursday, May 16, 2013
     OSWEGO — As a way to recoup labor costs after the decline in work due to the housing market crash, contractors that were once signatory contractors are coming back non-union.
As a result, contractors may take work away from union contractors — an action that could result in labor protests.
“Contractors are finding houses aren’t selling for $350,000 anymore. They are now worth $250,000. Labor costs are different,” said Marc Poulos, executive director with Indiana-Illinois-Iowa Foundation for Fair Contracting (IIIFFC).
“They can hire a guy for $15 an hour instead of paying them $30 an hour,” he added.
As with any labor dispute — like a picket, laypeople may not understand its intention, so they may find it more difficult to understand the purpose behind the inflatable Scabby the Rat or a strike — all of which may alarm residents and offend them, leading them to call to law enforcement.
Poulos wants local police to understand the National Labor Dispute Act allows for preemption of state law, meaning organized labor can engage in picketing activity unless someone is engaged in criminal activity.
To get this message out, Poulos, along with IIIFFC Compliance Manager Richard Stewart, recently talked to members of the Oswego Police Department to educate them on the National Labor Dispute Act. Delve into the nuances of how professionals aid in solicitors’ role in dispute resolution.
“After this training, the officers will have a better knowledge to apply the principals and tactics of what is meant by the National Labor Dispute Act and the purpose behind the laws,” Poulos explained.
Oswego Chief of Police Dwight Baird said he received a lot of positive feedback from his officers attending the training sessions. “It’s always good to hear from professionals on what is allowable by law. If my officers have that knowledge, then it’s better for both sides. That way, nobody’s rights are violated,” Baird said.
Poulos explained to officers the different types of pickets and that their purpose is to signal there is a labor dispute. Labor organizations are instructed to notify local law enforcement of their intentions to picket or strike, giving police the location, date and duration. Additionally, if you are dealing with an employee dispute in the Pittsburgh area, seeking guidance from an employment law attorney can help you understand your rights and navigate the complexities of the legal process
Any type of picket or strike can lead to work stoppage. As a result, replacement workers may be called in. “Having replacement workers come in allows for a situation to become worse,” Poulos said — and may be the time law enforcement is called out to a site.
Upon arrival, police should always ask for the picket/strike captain. Poulos explained temporary shelters can be erected and Scabby the Rat and the Fat Cat inflatables can be put up.
“Outside of the Labor Dispute Act, there is an absolute First Amendment right to erect Scabby the Rat and the Fat Cat. Of course, it can’t block motorists’ view or impede traffic,” he added.
The key to labor disputes is communication with law enforcement, which labor organizations utilize. Poulos warned that police have the right to act on criminal activity — if picketers were littering or urinating in public.
“The Labor Dispute Act protects individuals lawfully and peacefully picketing. Nothing protects a picketer from unlawful activity,” he said.

Jennifer Rice’s e-mail address is jen@foxvalleylabornews.com.

Food donations pour in for annual Stamp Out Hunger

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NALC collects food donations
Jennifer Rice photo
Volunteers for the National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger food drive take time May 11 to sort food that is being brought into the Aurora Post Office. The communities of Aurora, Montgomery, Yorkville and Plano donated 39,000 pounds of food.

By Jennifer Rice
Managing Editor
Thursday, May 16, 2013
     If you didn’t know there was a food drive going on at the Aurora Post Office Saturday afternoon, after listening to some of the conversations — you might think you were at home in your kitchen.
     “Has anyone seen baking products?” or “Who has the container for cereal?” or “I’ve got dried beans, where do these go?”
     These comments came from volunteers of the National Association of Letter Carriers annual Stamp Out Hunger event. As containers and containers of food donated by the community was placed on the dock area of the Aurora Post Office, everything had to be sorted and organized.
     Items were organized into canned goods containers, cereal containers and pasta containers.
     “Sorting everything now helps the food pantries because they don’t have to do it,” explained Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry Director Diane Renner
     “Sorting requires a lot of room, and not all food pantries have the luxury of a lot of room.”
     During this year’s 21st annual Stamp Out Hunger event, a total of 39,000 pounds of food was collected in Aurora, Montgomery, Yorkville and Plano. Of that, Aurora collected 27,500 said National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Local 219 Trustee Mary Kluber.
     “Anything that comes in is a success. This drive is a lot of work, but it’s worth it.”
     The food collected by NALC members in Montgomery, Yorkville and Plano went to support food pantries in Kendall County, while food collected by Aurora NALC members benefits local Aurora food pantries.
     Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry Executive Director Marilyn Weisner said the annual Stamp Out Hunger event helps them distribute food throughout the summer to its clients.
     “Starting in June, donations drop off dramatically and continue that way until the end of summer, so there are times during the summer we’re really struggling and we sometimes have to reduce the amount of food we give to families,” Weisner explained.
     Students from four area schools participated in the food drive, bringing in around 2,500 pounds of food.
     “Bardwell Elementary School is a huge supporter of the food drive. They always give us so much food,” Kluber said.
     She added she’s always amazed at how generous the community is. “People are always there to help others in need.”

Jennifer Rice’s e-mail address is jen@foxvalleylabornews.com.

Immigration reform on the minds of Chicago marchers

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LiUNA General President Terry O'Sullivan
Photo by Jennifer Rice
Labor took a stand for comprehensive immigration reform during May Day festivities at Chicago’s Federal Plaza. LIUNA General President Terry O’Sullivan said immigrant workers founded LIUNA 110 years ago. Union members are fighting for reform that gives immigrants a chance to earn citizenship.

By Jennife Rice
Managing Editor
Thursday, May 9, 2013
     CHICAGO — In a 125 years from now, people are going to say a group of trade unionists and community groups came together in Chicago and across this country to pass comprehensive immigration reform (CIR).
     That was the thought of Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) General President Terry O’Sullivan as he looked out over faces of thousands of marchers May 1 at Federal Plaza.
     They had marched from Union Park on the Near West Side, met with more marchers at the Haymarket Monument, then traveled to Federal Plaza — where several community and union leaders discussed the need to pass CIR, language of which is included in a bill currently making its way through Congress.
     “Immigrant workers have continued to contribute to our society, to our economy, to our culture, to our country and to our unions,” O’Sullivan said. LIUNA was founded 110 years ago by immigrant workers no body else wanted. “They laid their lives on the line — not just for our union, but for the trade union movement. And that is what this fight is all about,” he explained.
     The CIR bill currently proposed in Congress was recently introduced. Discussion on its amendments is currently ongoing in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Sen. Dick Durbin said this is the beginning of the journey. “I will be voting on these amendments and make sure we preserve the concepts to paths of citizenship, family unification and fair treatment for all people in the United States,” he said.
     “We cannot miss this opportunity. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity. We have the best chance we have had in 25 years to pass comprehensive immigration reform,” Durbin said to applause.
     The Senate bipartisan bill is not perfect. Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights President Alie Kabba said the public needs to ensure that there is a wide and inclusive road map to citizenship for all. “We must hold government officials accountable. Just because we have a Senate bill doesn’t mean we can take our foot off the pedal,” Kabba warned.
     As the marches in Federal Plaza held signs and waved flags, the children affected by the fear of having a parent deported told their heart wrenching stories. Liz Marquez, 9, couldn’t control her emotions as she explained the fear she has that her father won’t come home to her. “When he doesn’t come home from work soon, I get scared that he will be stopped and taken away. Every night I go to bed with the fear that they will try to separate him from us,” the girl said.

International pledge given during annual May Day festivities

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Aurora Library groundbreaking ceremony
Jennifer Rice photo
Members from New Zealand’s Council of Trade Unions present the Haymarket Monument with a plaque at May Day celebrations in Chicago.

By Jennifer Rice
Managing Editor
Thursday, May 9, 2013
     CHICAGO — When hundreds of laboring immigrants gathered to strike and fight for an 8-hour workday at Haymarket Square 125 years ago, the international labor movement was born.
     Though workers gathered peacefully, the day ended with a bomb exploding and police bullets flying. The result was 11 people died. Arrests were made, men were found guilty, but because the “guilty” were never proven to have fired the shots or thrown the bomb, they have since become a symbol for worker solidarity and strength.
     Since the Haymarket incident, May 1 has been designated International Workers’ Day — or May Day, and the Haymarket Monument at Randolph and Des Plaines in Chicago has become a meeting place for solidarity, peace and brotherhood.
     This year, a plaque was presented by John Shennan and Roger Middlemass, representatives with the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions, which represents 360,000 workers and is the largest democratic organization in New Zealand.
     AFSCME Council 31 Regional Director and Illinois Labor History Society President Larry Spivack said the men and American workers are connected internationally by the common thread of dignity and organizing.
     “Shennan and Middlemass have recognized this as a spot of social and economic justice for workers everywhere. They chose us to remember labor history,” Spivack explained.
     Shennan and Middlemass said organized labor is the only way for workers of the world to stand up for their rights and have a chance to win a fair share of the worlds wealth.
     “Today, workers struggle for what they’ve always struggled for — for what the Haymarket marches died for — a better life and a fairer society,” Shennan said. “Workers should become united and focus on what gives us power — union power.
     “We want to work with you to ensure a better life for all workers of the world and to create fairer, more just societies for working families to live in,” he said.
     Chicago Federation of Labor (CFL) President Jorge Ramirez added that the same problems and injustices that existed for workers 125 years ago exist now.
     “They just present themselves with a different face and in a different way, but the injustice is real,” Ramirez explained.
     As May Day festivities were winding down at the Haymarket Monument, participants prepared to join thousands of marchers who were scheduled to pass the monument.
     Earlier in the day, thousands of immigrant rights’ supporters left Chicago’s Union Park, headed to Federal Plaza for a 4:30 p.m. rally. The marchers were focused on ending deportations and demanding legalization for all immigrants — a mission of labor.
     “Those of you from labor know that comprehensive immigration reform (CIR) is the biggest game changer we have to bring more than 11 million immigrants out of the shadows and into the sunlight to let them exercise their choice — free of interference and intimidation from their employer — to decide weather or not they want to join a union,” Ramirez said.

Jennifer Rice’s e-mail address is jen@foxvalleylabornews.com.