11:47 a.m.: Thomas Steel Strip Corp. workers on strike
Tribune ChronicleWARREN - Approximately 260 members of United Steelworkers Local 3523 completed an orderly shutdown of the Thomas Steel Strip Corp. plant before walking off the job Thursday morning, after having worked without a contract since Aug. 1, 2007.
Dennis Brubaker, international staff representative and chair of bargaining for the union, said healthcare concerns were at the center of the strike.
"Thomas Strip eliminated retiree healthcare for past retirees in 2005 for those who were Medicare eligible," said Brubaker. "For our future retirees, we want to have that secured so there are no problems as in the past."
Brubaker said the two sides had met for approximately 35 bargaining sessions since last summer, including recent meeting with a federal mediator.
"We couldn't get agreement. We couldnt get the company to move on its proposals," said Brubaker.
Brubaker said the company is seeking a "cost-neutral" contract, one that would not result in any additional costs compared to the last contract.
A phone message was left at the company office Thursday morning.
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wmwmwm
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07-25-08 3:39 PM
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Ask Mr Boyle and Mr Brubaker about replacement workers! Ask Mr Boyle and Mr Brubaker if everyone will get their jobs back after the strike! Ask if they want low wage workers to replace younger active members in order to finance the older member's buyouts and Retiring member's medical benefits. Ask Mr Boyle if the Company was given advance notice of a strike, (they claim they did not give advance notice to TSS)...then ask how the Company knew to bring in perimeter lights the day before the strike. Ask them if they will make sure all active members are guaranteed in writing by the company that they will be reinstated immediately after the strike before they bring the contract to the Rank and File for a vote.
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warrenguy
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07-25-08 11:32 AM
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if it wasn't for unions every one would still be working for $1.00 an hour and 12 hour days 6 days a week .Unions are all about justice and dignanty and equality . every one should work for a union. Unions are the greatest thing that ever happened especially for unskilled workers.Many people have paid the ultimate sacrifice which is death for the hope of a better future which was made possible only with unions
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wmwmwm
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07-25-08 6:50 AM
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A Strike! Just what the Company wanted! Just what they have prepared for!
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NEWS777
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07-24-08 8:21 PM
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I think it's great that Kraftmaid employs so many people. But, I think if they meet the employees halfway they wouldn't vote for a union. You should have at least a few days a year that you can have 8 hours off to be with your families. That's just common sense. Look at Stanley and Harley Davidson, they treat their employees really well. It makes employees want to stay with the company and makes them have invaluable experience with that company. Thomas Steel employees have never been on strike for very long since the 70's. Hopefully the near recession the country is in won't change that.
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GoBrowns
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07-24-08 4:55 PM
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At our pay rate we really dont need a union, but it would be nice to have a voice and not a bunch of people that make 6 figures making decisions on our pay and health care. Especially since they have never gave their blood and sweat to the company by working on the assembley lines. They probabley even got a bonus for the money they saved by letting people go a few months ago, and making a decision to cut our benefits of working there. Ever since masco took over, it was all about saving every penny possible just so the records look better for the share holders. Thats where the problem starts. Even though the company makes the same amount of money after taxes because of tax deductibles, they would rather make cuts to make money gained/lost look better for the stock market. I think they should look at the jobs better too make better pay scales. There are people that pull carts all day and make the same amount of money as people who bust their butts on the line.
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GoBrowns
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07-24-08 4:44 PM
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So, what is your guys opinions on Unions? i work for Kraftmaid in right now unions are trying to get in. We make one of the best wages in the area (especially for non college educated or a business where you dont need have a family memeber to get in, which is bull), and they use to have free benefits that are pretty good. Now, we have to pay $20 a week for a married family. Which isnt too bad. They also took away the only personnel paid holliday away from us. A day were you could call off and get an 8 hour pay and it wont count against your attendance.
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