IWW Protests MPG Layoffs; Anarchists Take an Interest in Havas

(MoneyWatch)  The Industrial Workers of the World -- a socialist/anarchist movement founded in 1905 -- has protested the layoffs of about 50 people at Havas-owned MPG. Anarchist web site Infoshop News also reported the protest.

The IWW, or "Wobblies" as they call themselves, took an interest in the "callous" layoffs at the media buying agency because one of their number, client accounting department worker Joseph Sanchez, was among those axed.

They picketed Kmart in New York recently (pictured), demanding the company stop using MPG's services until the agency comes through with a better severance package.

Sanchez noted that the layoffs came after Havas posted a 25 percent increase in net income for 2008. He's right -- here's Havas' press release.

"This extremely profitable corporation laid me off just to put extra money in their pockets," said Sanchez, who worked in the client accounting department. "Instead of making a living wage, I'm surviving off unemployment benefits and food stamps."

Sanchez also didn't like the fact that laid-off employees had to sign an agreement promising them they would not denigrate the company, but the company made no such promise to its staff in return.

MPG staffers got four weeks' severance. Adscam noted the layoffs at the time.

• Related:
• BNET's Ad Agency Layoff Counter: 32,926 Jobs Lost