Levi's workers pick up paychecks on plant's final day

San Antonio Express-News ^ | 01/08/2004 | Elizabeth Allen

[Holly_P]

On the last official day of operations at the last Levi’s plant in the United States, Martha Huizar and Armandina Rodriguez showed up together to pick up their final paychecks after 23 years.

The two women were among hundreds who finalized paperwork and talked to potential employers at a job fair sponsored by Alamo Workforce Development at the Levi’s plant on Old Highway 90. The company announced in September that it would close the San Antonio plant.

“We weren’t surprised,” Huizar said. “We were like, well, it’s time to go on with our lives. We’d always heard rumors.” About 20 employers manned booths at the job fair, said Ramon and Sunita Trevino, who atttended the fair representing Primerica Financial Services.

Levi’s is following many U.S. garment manufacturers that now outsource their products to factories in other countries where labor is cheaper.

[freedomcrusader]

Martha Huizar and Armandina Rodriguez

So Mexicans in Mexico will now be making Levi's instead of Mexicans in America. BFD.

[Beck_isright]

If Levi wasn't run by bad management and the US government cared if we had manufacturing jobs here, then maybe Levi would have had a chance.

[altura]

I'll ask my SIL about that Boy Scout thing.

He works for Levi, and the company is VERY good to employees. He loves them.

[tubebender]

Serves them right for never sending me my refund check due from the price gouging lawsuit of the 70s...

[PLK]

was it Levi's that bashed the Boy Scouts of America for not allowing gay leaders?

Yes, and they also were among the very first U.S. well-known companies to push benefits for homosexual partners. We are a family of 5 who practically live in blue jeans. At the moment I read about the extreme politics of Levi's company, I stopped buying their products- period.

[1rudeboy]

Seeing that Levi's is also closing its plants in Canada, it's tough to argue that NAFTA had anything to do with this.

[JCG]

was it Levi's that bashed the Boy Scouts of America for not allowing gay leaders? ... IIRC it was ... anybody remember?

Levi Strauss was the first major corporation to defund the BSA because of the gay issue ... in 1992, I believe.

Boycott Levi's jeans & Dockers

[arm958]

I'll ask my SIL about that Boy Scout thing.

What's a SIL?

[Chi-townChief]

I've gone with Rustler jeans for the past 20 years or so; less than half the price of Levi's.

[Redleg Duke]

Did they make you check your 6-gun at the door?

[Vigilanteman]

Martha Huizar and Armandina Rodriguez showed up together to pick up their final paychecks after 23 years.

23 years ago, the borders were not as porus as they are now. My guess is that they are as American as you are.

[StatesEnemy]

I can't wait til Kentucky Bourbon has a Chinese point of origin.

Afterall, Chinese Oak barrels might add an "exotic" flavor that could revitalize the brand.

[Bobby777]

I'm guessing that's shorthand for "Sister In-Law" ...