Red Emma’s

Locked out of the plant after the company targeted the workers for dismissal due to injuries they got on the job, the workers set up a tent encampment. From their tents in front of the U.S. Embassy, the workers have brought visibility to GM's illegal actions as well as to the larger issue that injured workers face in Colombia. The workers have used dramatic actions to bring attention to their situation, including hunger strikes with their lips stitched closed, and symbolic crucifixions and burial actions. Their hard work has paid off in multi-million dollar improvements to the assembly line, wins in court, the opening up of the plant to organizing, and the holding back of laws which would have legalized the firing of injured workers. Jorge will share the story of what these workers faced and the role that international solidarity has played. With the U.S. economy shifting toward temporary, easily replaceable workers, this Colombian struggle is important to learn from-- both in terms of what has worked and what has been challenging.