Over 100 workers at Mauser Packaging Solutions in Chicago have entered a prolonged strike after unanimously rejecting the company’s latest union contract proposal.
The members of Teamsters Local 705 voted 120-0 on Wednesday against accepting Mauser’s offer.
Union negotiator Nicolas Coronado stated that the striking workers are open to further negotiations this weekend and into next week.
Striking employees at the Mauser facility in Little Village are advocating for livable wages, safe working conditions, guaranteed break times, and safeguards against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents entering the workplace without legal warrants.
Coronado expressed the union’s commitment to reaching a fair contract.
“We have maintained that we are eager to get back to work, but we need a fair and just contract prior to ending this strike,” he said.
The strike, which started on June 9, sees no members of Local 705 crossing the picket line, despite reports of harassment from Mauser.
In a show of solidarity, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson addressed rally attendees outside the Mauser plant at 3201 S. Millard Ave.
He acknowledged the difficulty of the workers’ sacrifices in their quest for livable wages and protection amid a challenging environment for workers, immigrants, and people of color.
“This union and this strike is leading the way to ensure that this country knows that workers run this country,” Johnson stated.
The Mayor emphasized the need for protections against ICE actions that create fear and disruption within the community.
“There have to be protections to ensure that ICE agents do not get to run amok — to intimidate, create fear and come in and disrupt and destabilize our communities,” he added.
Johnson further affirmed Chicago’s identity as both a union town and a welcoming city, urging Mauser to guarantee the safety of its workers.
The heightened awareness of immigrant rights has intensified since June, as President Donald Trump and others threatened to expand deportation efforts in cities led by Democrats.
Illinois laws prevent local governments from contracting with federal entities to detain immigrants.
During recent negotiations, Mauser resisted including any language to prevent ICE or similar agencies from accessing the plant.
Coronado explained, “I explained that the company has the right to turn away ICE agents, who commonly do not have judicial warrants.
Despite this assertion, the company has upheld its stance.
Mauser has yet to respond to requests for comment on the ongoing situation.
The strike in Chicago recalls a similar scenario in Seattle earlier this summer, where a subsidiary of Mauser closed after 20 workers there protested for three months without securing a contract.
Mauser Packaging Solutions specializes in manufacturing bulk containers, metal drums, cans, and bottles, employing over 11,000 people across 170 global locations.
Teamsters Local 705 represents more than 17,000 workers in the Chicago area, underscoring the significant labor movement currently taking place at Mauser.
image source from：chicago
