Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee Tool sued for alleged use of forced labor in Chinese prison factory
Lawsuit against Milwaukee Tool says the company had gloves made in a Chinese prison factory using forced labor, under brutal conditions which included torture and beatings.
Milwaukee Tool has been sued for allegedly having work gloves made by forced labor in a Chinese prison factory under deplorable conditions which included beatings and torture.
The lawsuit filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Milwaukee claims the Brookfield-based company knew, or should have known, the gloves were made with forced labor, a violation of the U.S. Trafficking Victim Protection Act.
The plaintiff is only identified under the pseudonym Xu Lun, who in July 2021 was convicted of “subversion of state power,” a charge commonly used by the Chinese government to target activists and human rights campaigners. His real name was withheld from the lawsuit out of fears for his safety, according to the law firm Farra & Wang, of Washington, D.C., which brought the action.
For five months in 2022, Xu Lun was subject to forced labor in the prison factory which allegedly made work gloves bearing the “Milwaukee Tool” logo, according to the suit.
Xu Lun was assigned to sorting fabric, thread cutting, gluing, ironing and quality control, the suit noted. The workdays were up to 13 hours. Prisoners were only allowed a 10-minute break in the morning, a 25-minute break for lunch, and a 10-minute break in the afternoon. They were only permitted up to three days off per month.
“The factories had no air conditioning or heating, and the prisoners were subjected to severe weather conditions,” the suit claims. “The summer months were particularly brutal, with extreme heat and humidity, and poor ventilation. Many prisoners developed eczema and other skin ailments in the hot and humid factories.”
The factories were also laden with fabric dust so severe that prisoners were required to wash it off before they were allowed to take showers. The constant exposure to dust caused respiratory health issues for many of the prisoners, according to the suit.
The facilities were cramped, making it difficult for the prisoners to work comfortably or safely. Some developed health issues such hemorrhoids and prostatitis from long periods of sitting without breaks.
There were workplace injuries caused by the machinery, including fingers punctured by the embroidering machinery, the lawsuit claims.
Lawsuit: workers threatened, punished for not working hard enough
Xu Lun alleged he regularly witnessed fellow inmates being threatened and punished when they refused to work, didn’t work hard enough, or did not meet production quotas.
“Punishment included being forced to stand or squat for long periods of time, being banned from visitation with family, being banned from buying goods with their money, and being forbidden to use the bathroom,” the suit notes.
“More severe punishment included being sent to the high-security section of the prison, being placed in solitary confinement, being forced to walk while squatting, and being woken up every hour with a roll call. The most severe punishment included beatings and electric shocks with electric rods,” according to the suit. “The experience of being exploited and forced into grueling work was humiliating and dehumanizing,” it said.
The Milwaukee Tool products made in the prison were the “Demolition” gloves and “Winter Demolition” gloves, the “Performance” and “FreeFlex” gloves, according to the suit.
“When the gloves came on the market, Milwaukee Tool heavily touted the fact that, unlike other companies that might just use an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), Milwaukee Tool was different. Rather than rely on others for design and manufacturing, Milwaukee Tool differentiated its glove offerings by touting Milwaukee Tool’s ownership of the design and manufacturing processes,” the suit claims.
Milwaukee Tool could not immediately be reached for a response to the allegations. But the company has publicly stated it has no tolerance for forced labor.
Congress held hearings about human rights in China
Last July, a congressional commission examining human rights issues in China turned its attention to the company’s reported connections to forced labor as it examined “corporate complicity” in abuses linked to the Chinese Communist Party. In a hearing, the wife of a man in a prison where the gloves reportedly were made, described the working conditions and railed against what she called Milwaukee Tool’s “disregard for human rights” and called on Congress to act.
Xu Lun worked for a non-governmental organization that advocated for the rights of vulnerable groups in China including persons with AIDs, hepatitis B, and people with disabilities. The suit doesn’t specify damages sought, but the Trafficking Victim Protection Act allows victims of forced labor to file a civil action against companies that knowingly benefited from the practice.
Milwaukee Tool is owned by Hong Kong-based Techtronic Industries, which is also named in the suit.
Century-old Milwaukee Tool has been one of Wisconsin’s fastest-growing employers, with many of the new positions in technical roles in Menomonee Falls, Brookfield, Milwaukee, Mukwonago, Sun Prairie and West Bend.
The company has spent hundreds of millions of dollars expanding its U.S. operations in recent years. It has manufacturing plants in the United States, China, Mexico, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam.
Previously known as Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp., the company traces its history back to the 1920s when Henry Ford was looking for a compact hand drill.
Milwaukee, WI
Vatican announces replacement for Archbishop of Milwaukee
MILWAUKEE — Chicago Auxiliary Bishop Jeffrey S. Grob will succeed former Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki in 2025, the Vatican announced on Monday.
Listecki signed his letter of resignation in March of this year on his 75th birthday. Bishops must retire at the age of 75 due to laws governing the Catholic Church. The Vatican also announced they accepted the resignation.
Listecki had been Archbishop of Milwaukee for 14 years.
Now, those shoes will be filled by someone new.
Grob, who was born in Madison, Wisconsin, has served as the bishop of Abora and auxiliary of Chicago since Sept. 2020.
But he joined the archdiocese of Chicago long before that. He was ordained a priest there in 1992 and held many roles, including assistant chancellor, judge of the Court of Appeal of the Ecclesiastical Province of Chicago and more.
Prior to going to Chicago, Grob studied in Madison at Holy Name High School Seminary. Later in life, he earned a religious studies degree from Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio. Afterwards, he earned a Master of Divinity from Mundelein Seminary.
Milwaukee, WI
Trump supporters hopeful after final Team Trump rally in Milwaukee
MILWAUKEE — A packed crowd gathered at The Factory on Barclay Sunday night as Team Trump made a last-minute push to mobilize voters in battleground Wisconsin.
With less than 48 hours until polls close, the event featured high-profile speakers including former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, professional race car driver Danica Patrick, and former ESPN anchor Sage Steele.
The speakers urged attendees to make their voices heard in the upcoming election, adding that it’s not too late to vote.
“These are the closing arguments — this is it,” Gabbard told the crowd.
Many attendees, like Abby Lindsay from Cudahy, braved the rain to participate.
“I’m really excited to hear them speak. For this to be the one I make, I’m super excited —cold but excited,” she smiled.
Lindsay and others said the chance to hear from the Women for Trump drew them to Sunday’s rally.
“They’re incredibly inspiring and bright and show an incredible dynamic to the conservative movement,” Tony Gavic said.
Gavic is a small business owner from Whitefish Bay who believes Trump is the best choice for America’s future. He told TMJ4 that Sunday’s rally had a very focused energy.
Team Trump women rally supporters at The Factory on Barclay
“It’s the passion. You see, the people align with what he means for the country,” said Purnima Nath of Milwaukee, highlighting issues like immigration and education.
As the event wrapped, attendees like Wendy Cooper from Thiensville expressed their optimism moving into election day.
“I’m feeling very, very hopeful,” Cooper smiled.
With just two days until election night, Gabbard emphasized the significance of Wisconsin in the election to TMJ4 News.
“The fact we are here tonight shows how important this state is to President Trump and this campaign,” Gabbard explained. “Reaching out to voters who have not made up their minds yet is a priority.”
Next, opposing vice presidential candidates Republican J.D. Vance and Democrat Tim Walz are expected to stop in Wisconsin on Monday, the day before the election.
Vance will rally voters in LaCrosse at 9:30 am. Walz will make three Wisconsin campaign stops in La Cross, Stevens Point, and Milwaukee at 6:00 p.m.
Find out where to vote, what’s on your ballot, and much more on TMJ4’s elections page here.
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Milwaukee, WI
Bobby Portis’ home was burglarized, the Milwaukee Bucks player announced on social media
Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis took to social media Sunday afternoon to tell fans and followers that his house was burglarized while he was at Fiserv Forum playing against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night.
Portis addressed his followers directly in a brief video, asserting his ties to the community before asking if anyone had information on the burglary.
“The love you guys give me here isn’t something that I ever felt before in my NBA career, and I’ve been in the league for 10 years. … I’ve always felt like I’ve had to give it right back to you guys” he said. “I’ve tried to uplift the community and make Milwaukee a better place.”
Portis released a video on X showing two people in his home.
“I consider Milwaukee my home,” he wrote. “Last night, while I was at work, my home was burglarized, and many of my prized possessions were stolen. If you have any tips or info, please send them to info@bobbyportis.com.”
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