PHILIPS WORKERS TO RALLY
Looking to save jobs
Philips Lighting workers and union members are staging a rally today in Fall River as part of a continued effort to convince leaders to help prevent 160 manufacturing jobs from heading south.
Today’s rally is expected to draw members from the IBEW union and elected officials, including U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey, and U.S. Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy III, who have all written letters to the company’s CEO urging him to keep the jobs, slated to move to Mexico, in Fall River.
“It’s about saving our jobs, not just Philips, but other companies. Not just Fall River, it’s a national thing,” said local union representative Roy Pacheco.
Pacheco said IBEW represents approximately 97 employees out of 160 workers who will be losing their jobs once the plant closes. The company announced last month that the plant would be relocating to an existing Philips facility in Monterrey, Mexico.
Pacheco said the union has been able to negotiate a better severance package with the company since Monday, but that is not enough.
“When it comes down to severance and jobs, what would you rather have?” Pacheco said. “Today it’s Philips. Who knows who it’s going to be tomorrow.”
Kennedy said he is calling on Gov. Charlie Baker and President Trump to do more to stand with Philips workers.
“This is a company that got roughly $30 million in profit last year in part because of these employees,” Kennedy said. “The main thing that the company needs to do is keep the jobs in Fall River . ... It’s not fair and they should give the community an explanation.”
Baker’s deputy spokeswoman Sarah Finlaw said a labor rapid response team has been on site to assist employees impacted by the layoffs and will continue to provide support.
Baker won’t be in attendance at today’s rally, but IBEW national representative Ed Starr is hoping that Baker will also pressure the company to save jobs.
“We’re in the position to let the community and workers know we’re there for them. Definitely the fact that the plant’s closing looks inevitable, but we’re hoping to push that political pressure,” Starr said. “Maybe it will help get the governor involved. The mayor can use some help.”
National IBEW representative John Horak said he hopes the rally will convince policymakers to do something at the federal level to save jobs beyond Fall River.
“This problem with manufacturing jobs is a national problem, not just a local problem,” Horak said. “I think it’s important that they look the politicians in the eye and say, ‘What can you do for me? How can you help me?’”