That union recently circulated a petition asking Kernaghan and his American followers to stop protesting at Kohl's stores. This union is more about respecting the people. The other union has to understand that the outside companies are not coming to Nicaragua to give money away. Members of the Sandinista-backed union dismiss such talk. One sewing machine operator, who claimed to be the sole member of the Sandinista-backed union still in the plant, said some workers were signing the petition because they felt intimidated.
Some workers try to avoid the whole issue.
Mariana Martinez, a new Chentex sewing machine operator, has worked in Las Mercedes free trade zone for three years. Interviewed at her home in Ciudadela, a small village outside Managua, Martinez said she was treated well at Chentex, better than at the factories where she worked before. There are helpers who bring work to the operators. At other factories, I had to get up from my machine and pick up the pieces. She said she has not heard about the petition and does not belong to a union.