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Vol. 79/No. 33 September 21, 2015
—ON THE PICKET LINE—
Maggie Trowe, Editor
Militant/Mary Martin
Strikers picket KapStone Paper and Packaging Corp. in Longview,
Washington, Aug. 31. After 15 months of talks workers struck after
company imposed its “final” contract offer.
Help the Militant cover rail, steel, auto and Verizon contract fights!
This column is dedicated to giving voice to those engaged in battle and
helping build solidarity. National rail and auto contracts are
approaching expiration: ATI Steelworkers are locked out; and union
contracts for basic steel and East Coast Verizon have expired. I invite
those 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
Paperworkers in Washington say ‘enough is enough,’ strike 9 days
LONGVIEW, Wash. — Some 800 members of Association of Western Pulp and
Paper Workers Local 153 struck KapStone Paper and Packaging here Aug. 27
after the company imposed its “final offer” Aug. 10.
“Enough is enough,” Local 153 President Kurt Gallow, who works as a
millwright and vibration analyst, told the Militant. “The membership has
spoken loud and clear against the company’s callous disregard for the
law and for the union membership.”
The company cut off workers’ medical insurance hours before the strike
began, Gallow said. “Since the mill was bought by KapStone, workers have
brought them record profits,” he said. “The company already took our
pensions and retirees medical benefits in 2010. This time they want
more.” Other contract issues include safety and outsourcing.
The company brought in strikebreakers. On Aug. 31 a union member was hit
by a scab vehicle exiting the plant. KapStone seized on this incident to
file a restraining order against the union Sept. 1 aimed at limiting to
two the number of pickets on either side of the main gates.
“Local 153 has maintained a peaceful and disciplined picket line since
commencing its unfair labor practice strike,” the union responded in a
statement. “The only incidents that have occurred were the result of
provocation and reckless conduct by scabs and some salaried KapStone
employees.”
Calls from the Militant to KapStone for comment were not returned.
Dianne Fortenbury, a machinist with 40 years at the mill, participated
in the last strike in 1978. “We have a real strong membership,” she
said. “We have support from younger people who never were in a strike
before.”
Derek Herren, 22, started work in the box plant three days before the
walkout began. “I see a lot of hard-working people out here,” he said.
“I don’t know a lot of them yet, but I stand by the union.”
International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 21 and the Machinists,
support the paper workers. “The KapStone workers deserve everyone’s
support. Their issues with the company have been going on for years,”
said Shelly Porter, a Longshore member.
On Sept. 4 KapStone accepted an offer by union officials to end the
strike and return to work as contract negotiations continued. The
workers would have been eligible for unemployment benefits had the
company refused. The decision to return to work followed a court ruling
rejecting KapStone’s demand to limit pickets. At a Labor Day picnic near
here, many expressed support for the paperworkers.
—Mary Martin
Boston airport workers strike 1 day, rally for better pay, respect
BOSTON — Baggage handlers, cabin cleaners and other workers at G2 Secure
Staff, a contractor for Delta and American airlines, held a second
one-day strike this summer Aug. 19 at Logan International Airport for
$15 an hour and a union.
The G2 strikers, with the support of Service Employees International
Union Local 32BJ, picketed the airport and rallied at Boston’s South
Station transit hub. They were joined at the rally by fast-food workers
as well as members of UNITE HERE Local 26, who are in their own fight
for a contract at LSG Sky Chefs.
“We can’t survive with the wages they pay us,” said G2 worker Ababuti
Ogalla. “The manager follows us, even on breaks. They cut hours, so some
stay home, the rest have to work their breaks.”
A week later, on Aug. 26, 75 people marched through East Boston near the
airport in support of union members at LSG Sky Chefs, whose national
contract expired in March. The starting wage for many there is below $10
an hour. They were joined by hotel workers fighting for a union at the
Wyndham Hotel, others who won the union at Le Meridien hotel and a
contingent of G2 workers.
The protest, organized by Local 26, took place while negotiations for
the LSG Sky Chefs contract took place in Boston.
“We’re fighting to get a raise and better health care,” union steward
Remona Mojica, who works at the Boston Sky Chefs facility, told the
Militant. “The working conditions are terrible. The dishroom is
extremely hot. But every manager has a new air conditioner for their
office! A warehouse worker narrowly missed being hit by a falling crate
recently when he was working alone.”
“We’re fighting for respect,” G2 worker Jonathan Cornier told the rally.
“And we need to do what we’ve got to do.”
— Kevin Dwire
Related articles:
Framed-up rail workers win support in Quebec town
Labor Day actions marked by fights against bosses’ attacks
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