http://themilitant.com/2015/7924/792432.html
The Militant (logo)
Vol. 79/No. 24 July 13, 2015
—ON THE PICKET LINE—
Maggie Trowe, Editor
Above, Militant/Josefina Otero
Members of United Steelworkers Local 7139-05 march and rally in front
of ATI stainless steel mill in Washington, Pennsylvania, June 25,
against concession demands. They are among nearly 2,500 unionists
whose contract with ATI expires June 30. T-shirts read, “The
concession stand is closed!”
Contribute to coverage of steel and auto contract fight!
This column is dedicated to spreading the truth about the labor
resistance that is unfolding today, to give voice to those engaged in
battle and help build solidarity. National steel and auto contracts are
expiring this summer and fall. I invite workers involved in fights
against concessions to contact me at 306 W. 37th St., 13th Floor, New
York, NY 10018; or (212) 244-4899; or themilitant@xxxxxxx. We’ll work
together to ensure your story is told.
— Maggie Trowe
Minneapolis janitors strike for one day
demanding higher wages
MINNEAPOLIS — Janitors at more than 50 retail stores struck on June 9
demanding higher wages, medical benefits and paid sick leave. Some 100
janitors and supporters marched in front of downtown Macy’s that day.
“Five of us clean the Target store. None of us went to work last night,”
Ivonne Garduno, a janitor who works for an agency contracted to supply
cleaners for the downtown store, told the Militant. “Some co-workers
from first and second shift are here at the picket line too.”
The janitors and supporters next picketed the Best Buy shareholders
meeting at the company’s corporate headquarters in nearby Richfield.
While janitors at Best Buy headquarters are organized by Service
Employees International Union, the workers in the stores are not.
Paul Bassett, a janitor at Sears in Coon Rapids, makes $8.50 an hour
working for a contractor. “I am not on strike, but I’m here to support
my fellow cleaners,” he said. “Our wages are not fair. We want a union.
With more people, more numbers, we can make a difference.”
The actions were organized by Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en Lucha
(Center of Workers United in Struggle).
— Lisa Rottach
Steelworkers rally against ATI concession contract proposal
WASHINGTON, Pa. — “The concession stand is closed!” read T-shirts worn
by members of United Steelworkers Local 7139-05, who rallied in front of
Allegheny Technologies Inc. flat-rolled products mill here June 25
against the company’s contract proposals. The 220 Steelworkers at this
plant are among 2,450 ATI workers, most in the Alle-Kiski Valley
northeast of Pittsburgh, whose contract expires at the end of June. The
flat-rolled mills produce stainless steel and stainless steel alloys
used in a wide variety of industries.
Steelworkers gathered in front of the Jessop Credit Union and marched to
ATI corporate offices in front of the steel mill during afternoon shift
changes.
“It’s an attempt to break the union,” Marc Scott, a storeroom clerk at
the mill, told the Washington Observer-Reporter.
“This is about my family’s future,” Brent Allen, who works at the new
hybrid anneal line in the mill, told the Militant. “We should be able to
work to live, not live to work.”
Similar rallies were held at all 11 ATI flat-rolled plants in
Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Ohio.
The actions take place as the Steelworkers enter negotiations for some
30,000 workers at U.S. Steel and ArcelorMittal whose contracts expire
Sept. 1.
ATI has hired two strikebreaking outfits to supply scab workers and
security and guard service, reports a USW fact sheet.
ATI wants big changes to health care for active, retired and future
workers; cuts to the pension agreements for current and future workers;
and reduced wages and overtime pay, the union fact sheet states, as well
as changes in contract language that would allow management to increase
use of contractors.
“If we accepted their 145 items on language, the company could do
whatever they want,” said Glen (Skip) Langdon, president of the local here.
— Josefina Otero, retired member of USW Local 7139-05
Front page (for this issue) | Home | Text-version home
