Satisfying a Different Hunger : Price Pfister Protesters Vow to Continue Fast for Improved Severance

Although they said their weeklong hunger strike to protest layoffs had left them dizzy and with headaches, five former Price Pfister employees decided not to end it as planned on Thanksgiving Eve Wednesday, but to continue fasting until Monday.

The five, who have been camped outside the company’s factory since last Thursday, and dozens of sign-carrying, non-fasting former employees had initially intended to end the strike Wednesday by presenting Price Pfister with the “Turkey of the Year Award” to protest the company’s layoff of more than 300 employees.

Instead, the five vowed to carry over the protest until Monday, when discussions are scheduled to take place between the Black & Decker-owned company and the Teamsters Union, which represents the employees, said Felix Hernandez, a union organizer.

“I try to follow the example of Cesar Chavez,” said Claudia Molina of Sylmar, one of the hunger strikers. “I personally will get the satisfaction that I tried to do something peaceful.”

Price Pfister--the country’s third-largest faucet maker--recently shut down a foundry and nine months ago began laying off employees, shifting most of the jobs to a plant in Mexico.

The protesters initially wanted to force an end to the layoffs, but accepting that layoffs would continue, they are now focusing on negotiating better severance pay and health benefits, the workers said.

Hernandez said the company has offered half a week’s pay and a week’s health benefits for each year worked, up to 26 years. But the workers want one week’s pay and two weeks’ health benefits per year worked, up to 30 years.

A company representative could not be reached for comment Wednesday but the company has said the cutbacks are needed to defray the cost of complying with state regulations requiring the firm to reduce the lead content of its faucets.

The hunger strikers, who have been drinking only water and fruit juices, have been checked by a doctor about three times during the week, and the doctor approved their decision to continue, they said.

So far, they had been bothered only by headaches and dizziness, but have been starting to feel worse, they said.

“I’m starting to feel weak,” said Luis Cruz, 35, of Pacoima. “Sometimes I get headaches but they go away when I sleep.”

The five have been sleeping in a mobile home outside the company’s gates since the hunger strike began. They have been visited in the evening by their children and spouses, some of whom are concerned about their health and saddened that their loved ones will not be home for today for Thanksgiving.

“My wife feels sad because she thought it would be easier,” Cruz said. “But she can see we are feeling weak.”

Wednesday evening they sat expressionless in lawn chairs under a tarp and spoke in soft voices while about 100 chanting supporters gathered around, hugged them and marched on the sidewalk.

Still-employed supporters inside the plant responded Wednesday by sending out a representative with about $1,000 in five envelopes for the hunger strikers.

“They need the money. It’s so they can send it to their children tomorrow,” said Raul Escalante, a 26-year employee of the company who was sent out with the cash.

The crowd set down their signs for a few minutes while one woman in the group led a rosary and another prayed for the hunger strikers, laying her hands on their heads and asking God to give them energy.

Hernandez said he will end the strike himself if he thinks any of the strikers are in danger.

“I’m concerned about their health,” Hernandez said, calling a doctor to check on one striker’s blood pressure. “I don’t want to put any lives in danger.”

But at least one of the strikers said she was prepared to fast beyond Monday if necessary.

Said Alejandra Torres, 39: “We’re going to stay until the end. We’ll stay until we accomplish what we want, until they’re just with us.”