Workers at Mauser Packaging Solutions in Little Village, Chicago, are striking as part of a broader demand for ICE to display court-signed warrants before being allowed on company property. The Teamsters Local 705, backed by Mayor Brandon Johnson, has made this a top priority in its negotiation with the packaging company. The strike, which has lasted over two months, began over allegations of employee surveillance during union contract talks. Workers are seeking assurances that the company will prevent ICE from conducting raids without judicial authorization, citing fears of racial profiling and potential targeting of legal residents, even if they can prove their residency status.
Mayor Johnson, a former teachers’ union leader, has publicly endorsed the union’s stance, emphasizing that Chicago is a welcoming city and criticizing federal immigration enforcement as a threat to community safety. He argued that ICE raids create fear and disrupt workplaces, schools, and everyday life. Johnson’s support aligns with the broader political narrative in Chicago, where many Democrats are adopting the term ‘sanctuary city’ to distance themselves from the political stigma associated with it. However, the stance has drawn criticism from the Department of Homeland Security, which accused Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker of endorsing illegal aliens over the safety of American citizens.
Meanwhile, the company has acknowledged the workers’ concerns but emphasized its commitment to negotiating a fair contract. Mauser’s communications director, Kimberly Braam, stated that the company is aware of the Teamsters’ demands and is working to reach a sustainable agreement. The strike highlights the tensions between labor rights and federal immigration enforcement and underscores the broader political divide in Chicago, with the city’s leadership taking a firm stand against the federal government’s approach to immigration and law enforcement.