Byline: Merle Linda Wolin; 1981-01-19; Los Angeles Herald-Examiner; pages A1 & A8
Report: "Sweatshop" - Merle Linda Wolin - Los Angeles Herald-Examiner
Tags: factories, immigration, posed as, undercover, undocumented workers, unions, worked as
Make no mistake about the quality of the operation over at the union-organized Ernst Strauss Inc. The shop, maker of very expensive, fine-quality women's suits and coats, is considered the best in Los Angeles. Ask garment industry leaders, union officals, ask the owners themselves. "The pay is the highest in California - maybe the country," said one owner. "The workers are so loyal you couldn't beat them away. " said another. "It's a union shop," explained someone from the International Ladie's Garment Worker's Union. "A 30-year member. Everything is done right." But "right in the undisputed best shop in town is a relative term. On June 12, a Thursday, I went to work as a sewing machine operator in Ernst Strauss factory. As before, I posed as a poor, illegal brazillian germent worker. I no speak English. Espanol, por favor.
Description:Wolin, as part of her investigative series on Los Angeles's garment industry, is hired to work in a union shop, posing undercover as a poor undocumented garment worker in Los Angeles.
Rights: No known rights restrictions.
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