RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE Guitarist Supports Fired Guitar Makers

The Pulse Of Radio reports that RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE guitarist Tom Morello has thrown his support behind South Korean workers who manufactured guitars for Fender and Gibson and were fired from their jobs. According to NME.com, Morello has met with workers who have been protesting losing their jobs in 2007. The politically active musician may also make an appearance on Thursday (January 13) at a press conference the workers are holding at the NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) convention in California.

Morello has appeared at rallies in the U.S. for union and immigrant workers, and told The Pulse Of Radio why it's important for average citizens to get involved in grassroots political activism. "As someone who's worked for a United States senator, I realize that there are inherent, fundamental flaws to the system, where power and profit are inextricably linked, that makes it very difficult for anyone in that sort of position to effect real progressive change," he said. "Real change, I believe, always comes from below."

The workers, who manufactured guitar parts for companies such as Gibson, Fender and Ibanez at their plant in South Korea, claim they were "padlocked out of their factory and forced to sign resignation papers" after attempting to form a trade union in 2007.

They also allege that despite their pleas to Fender to investigate the plant's practices in an "independent, transparent and fair" manner, Fender instead "conducted a closed-door, internal investigation and has not made any moves to suspend its business with (the plant)."

The workers also say that the plant used intimidation, violence and hired thugs against the workers despite being found guilty of illegal dismissal by Korea's National Labor Relations Commission.