(NEW YORK CITY) – United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 259 Members and supporters gathered to rally in the Bronx last week, standing with Worker Alex Patterson, who was wrongfully terminated from his job at Construction Materials Fabricator Baco Enterprises for organizing his Co-Workers to form a Union.

“I was illegally and immorally fired for exercising my rights to form a Union with my co-workers,” Patterson said. “I exposed problematic working conditions - exploitation, being talked down to by managers and unsafe working conditions."

“We have a lot of support for forming a Union,” he said. “On (July 11th) management found out about our plans to form a Union and I was terminated with no clear explanation.  Workers are not going to take this - we’ll stand up and fight the millionaire class!”

Calling attention to the country’s broken Labor Laws, rally-goers demanded Baco Enterprises reinstate Patterson, make him whole with back pay, and recognize the Union - or agree to be neutral as Workers exercise their right to a Union Election free from intimidation and harassment.

Those Union Members and supporters were joined by a host of Elected Officials, including U.S. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander and Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson.