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riverwalker

(8,694 posts) Sun Oct 14, 2012, 03:10 AM Oct 2012

Sensata drip...drip...drip

http://www.inquisitr.com/362821/sensata-technologies-scandal-could-be-brewing-for-mitt-romney/#9AAKYCR2JbooGAWv.99

October 14, 2012

Sensata Technologies: Scandal Could Be Brewing For Mitt Romney

Sensata Technologies workers have been protesting outside the company’s Illinois plant against a decision to send 170 jobs to China, but the protest could end up as much more than just a local movement.

The auto parts company is controlled by Bain Capital, a company once led by Mitt Romney, and some online publications are starting to link the job outsourcing to the GOP candidate.

The ties between Mitt Romney and Sensata Technologies are not strong. In fact, Romney was gone from Bain Capital by the time the decision was made to send jobs overseas. But as Romney has become more aggressive in calling out President Obama for not taking a harder line with China, especially the country’s accused manipulation of currency, many publications are using Sensata Technologies as an example that Romney himself has a complicated relationship with China. According to The New York Times, Romney still stands to profit off of the Sensata outsourcing:
“In addition, Mr. Romney’s generous retirement agreement ensures that he continues to profit from the deals and decisions that Bain makes. He owns about $8 million worth of Bain funds that hold 51 percent of Sensata’s shares. If Sensata saves money by closing the Freeport plant, that could add money to Mr. Romney’s trust accounts, now or after the election.”

Read more at http://www.inquisitr.com/362821/sensata-technologies-scandal-could-be-brewing-for-mitt-romney/#JEcL6x9wDfsB6Lja.99

3 replies

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Sensata drip...drip...drip (Original Post) riverwalker Oct 2012 OP

Here's a news article from a local Illinois newspaper: JaneQPublic Oct 2012 #1

Heard there was a CHINESE FLAG flying over the plant for awhile! Is it true? CarmanK Oct 2012 #2

It is true. Greed IS NOT GOOD! Astazia Oct 2012 #3

JaneQPublic

(7,113 posts)

1. Here's a news article from a local Illinois newspaper:

Reply to riverwalker (Original post)

Sun Oct 14, 2012, 03:40 AM

Oct 2012

http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/10/12/french-samsonite-employees-laid-off-by-bain-join-sensata-workers-at-%E2%80%98bainport%E2%80%99-oct-13/

It tells how French Samsonite employees attendrd the Freeport, IL "Bainport" rally in a show of worker unity.
Local Sensata employees sent Romney a 35-000 signature petition to Romney -- who still profits from the plant -- to help save their jobs.
The plant is set to close in November, but in the meantime, the workers are training their replacements from China.

FREEPORT, Ill. — French Samsonite workers who were laid off and robbed of their severance pay by Bain Capital will join Freeport Sensata workers for a rally at “Bainport” in Freeport, Ill., at 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 13. The rally is in protest of Bain’s decision to close the Freeport, Ill., Sensata Technologies plant and outsource 170 jobs to China. The plant is set to close in November.

“We’re coming to Bainport to show our support for American workers fighting against the same economic model that destroys good jobs likes ours in France,” said Samsonite worker Brigitte Petit. “The struggle to save these Sensata jobs from outsourcing is a struggle on behalf of good jobs across the globe.”

SNIP

In September, the workers began to camp outside the plant to protest Bain’s decision to ship their jobs to China and increase the pressure on Romney — who still profits directly from Sensata — to help save their jobs. They plan to stay at the encampment until Romney agrees to help save their jobs, or, as stated in a release from the group, “until middle-class voters nationwide understand the dangers of a Romney economy for our country.”

SNIP

In July, the Freeport City Council unanimously passed a resolution calling on Romney to meet the workers and use his influence at Bain to intervene on their behalf. Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn (D) echoed their call during a trip to Freeport later that month. The situation has even become an issue in the congressional race in Illinois’ 17th district.

MORE AT:
http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/10/12/french-samsonite-employees-laid-off-by-bain-join-sensata-workers-at-%E2%80%98bainport%E2%80%99-oct-13/

CarmanK

(662 posts)

2. Heard there was a CHINESE FLAG flying over the plant for awhile! Is it true?

Reply to riverwalker (Original post)

Sun Oct 14, 2012, 05:52 AM

Oct 2012

Astazia

(262 posts)

3. It is true. Greed IS NOT GOOD!

Reply to CarmanK (Reply #2)

Sun Oct 14, 2012, 06:37 AM

Oct 2012

There are threads from yesterday (Saturday) on DU, & photos that shows the plant's main building with the Chinese flag waving in front of it. I believe I also read a post & saw a video of the workers where they talked about training their Chinese replacement workers. There was a gentleman on that video that stated he saw the Chinese flag raised & after the Chinese workers left to go back to China, seeing the stars & stripes going back up the flagpole. Check thread that says this "might be Mitt's undoing.

The stories are heartbreaking & real as real gets. The working conditions in China are horrible & one post told of 7 day work weeks, 12 hr shifts, & 99 cents per hour. The workers live on site in rooms for 3 or 4 per room.

I read that there is an employee that has been there 35 or so years & was about to retire. Now, Bain moved all jobs to China she will not get the retirement she has earned. Instead they are ONLY giving her 26 weeks severance pay. I do not know how to paste or use links or I'd post it here for you to see that horrid & punch you in the gut video to which I felt profound sadness. I can only assume she probably lost her health care since only the 26 weeks pay was mentioned.

How low can they go? Mitt knows & couldn't care less!

(This post is from my memory, so make sure my facts are indeed accurately quoted. It really tore me up inside.)

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