A-Infos (en) US, NYC, Alt. Media, Wobblies* storm MPG’s headquarters

When Joseph Sanchez walked into the Lower Manhattan headquarters of Havas Media Planning 
Group (MPG) to demand the severance pay that he says the multimillion-dollar advertising 
company owed him, management gave him the cold shoulder and escorted him out of the 
office. On August 20, Sanchez—accompanied by members of the New York City Industrial 
Workers of the World (IWW) -- marched into the offices of MPG, demanding economic justice 
and restitution for what they claim are the unjust layoffs of more than 50 former 
employees. ---- “MPG seemed caught off guard with us entering their office to speak to my 
former coworkers,” Sanchez said. When Sanchez walked into the office, one of his coworkers 
came downstairs to speak with him.

She told him that being called downstairs made her nervous, and said that
every day she and her coworkers were worried about getting fired. After
moving past the desk and upstairs to the cubicles, Sanchez and his team of
Wobblies handed out leaflets to his former coworkers, who were both glad
to have the support, yet reluctant to engage with the union out of fear
of losing their jobs. The IWW’s message was very straightforward—they
are offering free legal and advocacy support to workers concerned about
the possibility of future layoffs.

In April 2009, MPG cut 11 percent of its staff, or 50 workers, from its
offices in New York, Boston and Chicago. The multimillion-dollar
advertising giant only gave these workers a four-week severance package.
In order to receive their severance pay, MPG required that the laid-off
workers sign an “Agreement of Separation & Release,” which included the
stipulation that the former employees would not “in any way denigrate
any aspect of the company,” yet the agreement made no mention of the
company not denigrating any aspect of the employee.

“After the layoffs, I asked MPG to consider some changes to the
severance agreement they offered me,” Sanchez said. “MPG doesn't want me
to be able to sue them, but they want to retain their right to sue me.
They also do not want me to denigrate the company yet are not concerned
about denigrating me,” Sanchez said. “I refuse to accept these one-sided
conditions. Now, MPG is refusing to pay me any severance.”

Despite the seemingly fruitless battles, the IWW has caused quite a stir
for MPG’s top executives. Sanchez’s coworker said that everyone in the
office heard about the IWW’s campaign to pressure Kmart to stop
advertising with MPG -- through weekly informational leafleting and
rallies at two Kmart locations in Manhattan -- and management is not
happy about the negative publicity. He said that confronting MPG’s
management in their headquarters is the next step in an escalation
campaign to show MPG them that the IWW means business.

“Management realizes now that we are not just going to go away,” Sanchez
said.

For more info:

http://www.iww.org
http://www.wobblycity.org/
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* An antiauthoritarian anticapitalist syndicate
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