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On Wednesday March 31st, the workers for the Dunkin' Donuts franchise, Villa Park Combo, Inc., voted by 88% to authorize a strike.

After six months of attempting to aquire bargaining dates from the owner, with no response, these workers have had enough and intend on sending a clear message: ignore us any more, and we will walk!

The issues over which these workers organized their Union have not been addressed in any way by the owner of the Dunkin' Donuts franchise.  Often, their paychecks still bounce, the first aid kits are still undersupplied and locked in an office to which the workers have no access, and the workers' safety concerns are still not being addressed. 

In fact the day before the workers voted to authorize strike action, the Fire Department was called to the bakery because, according to one worker, the device which regulates the heat of the oil was not working, and the grease began to smoke.  Upon arrival, the Fire Department learned that the facility did not even have properly working smoke detectors!

After voting to authorize a strike, the workers drove to the bakery and were joined by OPEIU members from Madison, Milwaukee and Chicago, in addition to their union brothers and sisters from Teamsters Local 743.  Two workers from the bakery addressed the crowd, as did President Richard Berg from 743 and Chairperson Christian Hainds from OPEIU Midwest United.

The message sent to the company was made very clear: there will be consequences if he decides to ignore his workers any longer!

To see photos from the event, click here.

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