Michael Bianco Inc. Immigrant Workers To Save Costs

Abstract

Michael Bianco Inc. was a relatively small manufacturing firm employing 85 people in 2001. By 2004, the company was awarded several multimillion dollar government contracts from the Department of Defense making backpacks for troops serving in Iraq. The company increased its work force to over 500 to accommodate the contracts. The workers, however, were illegal aliens. The Department of Homeland Security raided the manufacturing facility, found and detained over 300 illegal workers for deportation. Further investigation revealed deplorable and unfair working conditions, including lack of heat and docking workers pay for talking. Employees worked double shifts and instead of being paid overtime, they were paid straight time out of two separate companies. Humanitarian groups defended the workers and some later filed suit for back pay.