.

SureBuilt Factory Workers File for Union Election

After years of severe preventable injuries, construction parts manufacturing immigrant workers today filed for election with Painters District Council 14

Release: June 10, 2025

Media Contact

Shelly Ruzicka, Arise Chicago

773.251.5003

Visuals:
Press conference Photos   Photo credit: Shelly Ruzicka, Arise Chicago

Livestream video of press conference

CHICAGO–Inside the Painters District Council 14 offices, immigrant workers who make construction parts at a Melrose Park factory announced that this morning they filed for a union election with the Painters Union. Upon the announcement they chanted, “¿Qué queremos? ¡La unión! ¿Cuándo? ¡Ahora!  (What do we want? The union! When? Now!)

“We have been victims of mistreatment, heavy workloads, surveillance, and many preventable injuries at SureBuilt” said 9-year SureBuilt worker Carlos. “We sought support from Arise Chicago, where we learned our rights and began to organize. We are proud members of Arise, and soon we will be proud members of the Painters Union!”

Al Barraza, Director of Organizing at Painters District Council 14 said, “The injuries and hazards we heard about at SureBuilt are the kind of things from pre-union days. Many workers with severed fingers, a recent fire where no smoke detectors went off. We’re so proud to be organizing alongside Arise Chicago and the brave SureBuilt workers.”

SureBuilt worker of 5 years, Mireya shared, “ When I was assigned to my machine at SureBuilt I only received a total of 5 minutes of training. Obviously, no one can work safely like that. We are working on very old, unmaintained machines. This puts our safety at risk. We need safe jobs and respect from SureBuilt. That’s why we’re fighting for our union and why we’re going to win!” 

SureBuilt worker Maribel said, “In my 3 years at SureBuilt I’ve witnessed many preventable injuries. I’ve seen a coworker’s fingers cut through. In the last year alone, there were 23 injuries at SureBuilt. This is why we are organizing–for safer jobs, with better wages and access to benefits.”  

Arise Chicago Organizer Moises Zavala said the workers’ campaign was a model for other workers, especially immigrant workers. “The SureBuilt workers and their courage is an example to the rest of the working class to defend your rights and lift up the labor movement in this country. Now more than ever it is important that we organize and unite!”

Press conference Photos    Photo credit: Shelly Ruzicka, Arise Chicago

Livestream video of press conference

Background:

Workers from SureBuilt’s Melrose Park, IL factory contacted Arise Chicago reporting mistreatment, low wages and major safety concerns in March 2024. Their organizing led to safety improvements including adding air extractors to clear dangerous dust for welders. However, workers report ongoing safety issues. 

In March 2025 alone, two major safety incidents occurred. On March 13, a fire broke out in the factory. Despite the fire, workers report that smoke detectors did not alarm, and as far as they are aware the company did not contact the fire department. The same week, a machine caught on a worker’s arm, cutting him in several places and breaking his arm. This was not the worker’s first injury at SureBuilt.

In a previous severe injury, a different worker had two tons of materials fall on him, breaking his pelvis.

Workers report suffering injuries for years without significant action from management, including severe cuts and severed fingers. Multiple workers have had parts of fingers amputated due to such injuries. Workers report there were 23 injuries at their SureBuilt location last year alone.

After organizing and building a workplace committee with Arise Chicago, to address their ongoing concerns around safety among others, workers started a unionization campaign with the Painters & Allied Trades Union. 

Workers publicly announced their union organizing campaign on March 19, 2025.

This morning, Tuesday June 10, Painters Council District 14 filed for a union election at SureBuilt with the National Labor Relations Board.

SureBuilt is a national company with 11 locations around the U.S.

*Workers, Painters Union, and Arise Chicago representatives available for interview upon request in English and Spanish.

###