International Union of Operating Engineers Local 407 Unfair Labor Practice Dispute.
Business Manager Ken Fugat reported that the Union had been in negotiations with Basell up until Friday April 30, 2010. The contract was set to expire at midnight on the 30th.
At issue were areas in the contract that were subject to mandatory bargaining. The company refused to discuss these bargaining items and subsequently the Union membership refused the company’s contract proposal.
The Union offered to continue to work with a contract extension until negotiations were complete.
The company refused the Union’s offer and prior to the expiration of the contract escorted the represented workers from the plant thereby locking them out.
I urge Local 13-555’s member’s who pass through the area to acknowledge our Brothers and Sisters who are manning an Unfair Labor Practice protest at the plant site.
Any gesture of kindness and support will be greatly appreciated by these Union members who have been forced from their jobs.
In Solidarity,
Vaughn Johnson
President,
USW Local 13-555