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101 Factory Workers Laid Off in Harahan

Vulture Capitalists Steal Jobs

By Gregory William

The Walle Corporation is a sign and label-making firm founded in New Orleans in 1872. On December 6, the company’s new owners announced they are shutting down their Harahan factory, leaving 101 workers jobless.

These workers are the victims of financial predators. Only a month ago, Walle was taken over by the Fort Dearborn Company, a label-maker based in Chicago. Fort Dearborn is controlled by a private equity firm called Advent International, which has been buying up similar firms across the U.S., cutting jobs and closing operations left and right. This is a common story in today’s economy.

Private equity firms are companies that produce nothing. They specialize in buying up and “restructuring” other businesses (laying off workers to increase profits). Sometimes this is done to resell the company at a higher price, but often the intention is merely to shut the company down and take the wealth that has been generated by the workers. This is what happened in October when Bayou Steel filed for bankruptcy and closed its plant in LaPlace after being acquired by the private equity firm Black Diamond.

Harlan County miners show the way
Workers in this situation can learn from the recent resistance of miners in Harlan County, KY. After being laid off by coal giant Blackjewel, these workers set up camp on the railroad, blocking the transport of coal that they had mined.

Initially, Blackjewel was not even going to pay the wages they owed, but their militant actions (which involved union and non-union workers, as well as support from transgender activists and others) resulted in the workers getting $5.5 million in back pay.

Workers at Walle should claim their right to the Harahan factory
Walle employees in Harahan could occupy the facility, preventing the products of their labor from being hauled off, especially if they are supported by the broader community. They can demand that the factory stay open, run by a democratic assembly of the workers. This has worked many times in recent history. After financial troubles began rocking Argentina in 2001, workers took over many businesses, including hotels, factories, and waste collection services. By 2014, as many as 311 businesses across the country were occupied. Workers can, and do, run things without parasitic bosses.

The New Orleans Workers Group is willing to organize and stand in solidarity with any Walle Company workers who want to fight. We must dare to struggle and dare to win!

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South African Miners Strike Against Sexual Harassment


In June, South African miners carried out an underground sit-down strike in response to the sexual harassment of a women worker and the subsequent protection of her abuser by human resources and the management of the Lanxess chrome mine outside Rustenburg, South Africa. Led by women, more than 200 miners participated in the 9-day sit-down strike. The following is from a statement by Ruth Ntlokotse of the National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa.

NUMSA HONOURS LANXESS WORKERS ON WOMEN’S DAY

On this Womens’ Day the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) is honouring our members at Lanxess mines, both men and women, who came together to fight against sexual harassment and tyranny in the workplace. From the 19th of June to the 27th of June 2019, two hundred of our members suffered underground, breathing in potentially toxic fumes, sleeping in the biting cold, sacrificing time away from the comfort of their families and their homes, they risked their lives in order to stage a sit-in to protest against a cruel and vicious management. Because of their selfless struggle, they were victorious against their oppressors. The alleged sex pest who was terrorizing a worker has been placed on suspension and is facing criminal charges. The Human Resources manager and the Security Managers who were terrorizing the victim have left the company. These were just some of the achievements they secured by uniting and fighting together against oppression.

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Hundreds Join Miners’ Sit-Down Strike on Train Tracks

Word spread fast that Harlan County miners had stood up to the Blackjewel company to demand pay owed to them for digging coal. They have effectively stopped a train attempting to bring coal they dug out to be sold for the profit of the criminal owners of Blackjewel. The company, which declared bankruptcy in June, is attempting to cheat the laid-off miners out of $12 million.

The company is trying to get an injunction to order the removal of the miners, but it’s the owners of Blackjewel who should be ordered to pay the miners. Clearly the owners understand that the capitalist courts work for them. But as one miner said, “we are standing up for what is right.”

The miners train track sit-down has garnered support throughout Harlan County as well as supporters from across the country who have traveled to join them in their tent city. People are bringing food and necessities and support for their families.