KENSINGTON, Md., Jan. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Frank Hurt , President of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco and Grain Millers International Union (BCTGM) today released a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff requesting "an expedited investigation into possible violations of U.S. immigration law by Redco Foods and its German parent company, Teekanne GmbH."
Members of BCTGM Local 50 have been on strike at Redco Foods, the maker of Salada and Red Rose tea among other brands, in Little Falls and Herkimer, New York since November 2, 2007 .
"We have reliable information that after Thanksgiving for several weeks two German nationals were brought into the country to service machines normally maintained by our members," Hurt wrote, adding that, "We believe that at this moment another German national is present in the Little Falls facility."
Explaining the union's understanding of the US tourist visa waiver program with Germany and the requirements of a business visa, Hurt concluded that there was likely no legal basis for the German mechanics to be working in the United States .
The BCTGM president pointed out that Rainer Verstynen, the CEO of Teekanne, is currently in the United States while urging the expedited investigation. He also cited Doug Farrell , Redco Foods CEO, along with Verstynen as the "two officials most responsible for this suspected breach of our immigration laws."
"I trust that you share our belief that our Nation's immigration laws should not be violated, especially to the detriment of hard working Americans exercising their legal right to strike," Hurt told Secretary Chertoff.
The full text of BCTGM President Hurt's letter to Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff follows.
January 23, 2008
Mr. Michael Chertoff, Secretary The Department of Homeland Security SENT VIA FAXWashington, DC 20528
Dear Secretary Chertoff:
I am writing to you to request an expedited investigation into possible violations of U.S. immigration law by Redco Foods and its German parent company, Teekanne GmbH.
Members of BCTGM Local 50 working at the Redco Foods facility in Little Falls, New York and its warehouse in Herkimer have been on strike since November 2, 2007 . We have reliable information that after Thanksgiving , for several weeks, two German nationals were brought into the country to service the machines normally maintained by our striking members. Also, we believe that at this moment another German national is present in the Little Falls facility.
Teekanne not only is the parent of Redco, but is also the manufacturer of the equipment used in the plant. While the United States and Germany have a visa waiver program this allows only for the legal entry of tourists. If these German nationals entered the country as tourists, they have broken the law. If they applied for and received any form of business visa from the U.S. Embassy or any of its consulates, we strongly suspect that they did not inform our State Department that they intended to perform struck work. Such an omission would be illegal.
The two officials most responsible for this suspected breach of our immigration laws are Mr. Rainer Verstynen , CEO of Teekanne, and Mr. Doug Farrell , CEO of Redco Foods, which is headquartered in Windsor, Connecticut. Mr. Verstynen is currently in the United States and was seen by our members on January 22nd in the presence of another person believed to be a German national mechanic brought in to fix equipment.
I trust that you share our belief that our Nation's immigration laws should not be violated, especially to the detriment of hard working Americans exercising their legal right to strike. We stand ready to assist you with further detailed information at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
Frank Hurt
International President
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cc: Executive Officers International Vice President Art Montminy BCTGM Local 50 President Joyce Alston U.S. Senator Charles Schumer U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton U.S. Attorney Glenn T. Suddaby Member of Congress Michael Arcuri U.S. Ambassador to Germany William R. TimkenSOURCE Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco and Grain Millers International Union
