2021-09-28 13:06:21

El Milagro Tortilla Workers Walk Out, Demand Fair Wages & Workload Amid Staff Shortage, COVID Deaths

Democracy Now! goes to Chicago for an update on workers at El Milagro tortilla plants who staged a temporary walkout last week to protest low pay, staff shortages and abusive working conditions, including intimidation and sexual harassment.

El Milagro claims an ongoing tortilla shortage is due to supply chain issues, but organizers say the company has lost staff due to their poor treatment of workers, including their mishandling of the pandemic, resulting in dozens of infections and five deaths.

Workers gave El Milagro management until this Wednesday to respond to their demands.

“The company, instead of offering better wages and hiring more people, is just cranking up the machines,” says Jorge Mújica, strategic campaigns organizer at Arise Chicago, a community group that helps people fight workplace exploitation.

Democracy Now! produces a daily, global, independent news hour hosted by award-winning journalists Amy Goodman and Juan González. Our reporting includes breaking daily news headlines and in-depth interviews with people on the front lines of the world’s most pressing issues. 

On DN!, you’ll hear a diversity of voices speaking for themselves, providing a unique and sometimes provocative perspective on global events.

Missed an episode?  Check out DN on FSTV VOD anytime or visit the show page for the latest clips.

#FreeSpeechTV is one of the last standing national, independent news networks committed to advancing progressive social change. 

#FSTV is available on Dish, DirectTV, AppleTV, Roku, Sling, and online at freespeech.org.

Chicago Coronavirus Covid COVID-19 Economy El Milagro El Milagro Tortilla plants Pandemic United States Workers Treatment Workers' Rights

Human Rights and Equality

Democracy Now!

Voices Silenced: Why Mahmoud Khalil Faces Deportation | Democracy Now!

Voices Silenced: Why Mahmoud Khalil Faces Deportation | Democracy Now!

Democracy Now!

Trump Admin Targets Momodou Taal, Pro-Palestinian PhD Student, for Deportation | Democracy Now!

Trump Admin Targets Momodou Taal, Pro-Palestinian PhD Student, for Deportation | Democracy Now!

FSTV Speaks

Protect Workers & Public Services (AFL-CIO) | FSTV Speaks

Protect Workers & Public Services (AFL-CIO) | FSTV Speaks

The Thom Hartmann Program

The Thom Hartmann Program | ICE is Silencing Protest

The Thom Hartmann Program | ICE is Silencing Protest

Related

Gay USA

Gay USA 3/5/2025 | Resistance To Trump Cuts Escalate

Gay USA 3/5/2025 | Resistance To Trump Cuts Escalate

BreakThrough News

BreakThrough News | The Economy in 2025

BreakThrough News | The Economy in 2025

BreakThrough News

BreakThrough News | The Economy was on Voters' Minds

BreakThrough News | The Economy was on Voters' Minds

Democracy Now!

Democracy Now! | The Killings of Climate Activists Worldwide

Democracy Now! | The Killings of Climate Activists Worldwide

Proud Partners