Posted by chicagomedia.org on October 21, 2008 at 12:40:17:
In Reply to: Sirius/XM Merged Technology is Years Away posted by chicagomedia.org on October 21, 2008 at 12:39:52:
Sirius Challenged On Alleged Labor Abuses
In a letter to Sirius XM host Howard Stern, Charles Kernaghan, director of the National Labor Committee, points out abusive conditions faced by women in South Korea making Sirius Satellite radios.
The letter was sent to Stern, Kernaghan writes, because "I can vividly remember your lampooning of Kathie Lee Gifford after we exposed the fact that 12- and 13-year-old children were sewing her clothing line under abusive sweatshop conditions for pennies an hour in Honduras."
The letter goes on to allege that women making Sirius radios could be fired for using the bathroom, arriving a few minutes late, requesting a sick day or being unable to work every weekend. It also details mandatory overtime and 24-hour shifts.
The women have been striking for over three years despite harassment threats and beatings. A year ago, the production of Sirius Satellite radios relocated to a low wage factory in China, with management telling workers that Sirius management demanded the move to cut costs.
Calls to Sirius XM representatives were not returned at press time.
(Mike Stern, Radio & Records)