Laborers on strike in Shakopee to protect pension benefits

[Omaha Steve]

http://advocate.stpaulunions.org/2013/06/20/laborers-on-strike-in-shakopee-to-protect-pension-benefits/

June 20, 2013 By Union Advocate



Cretex workers (R to L) Dustin Underwood, B.J. Kehren and Scott Davis walk the picket line outside their employer’s Shakopee facility.


Union workers at a concrete products manufacturing facility in Shakopee went on strike yesterday, pledging to walk the picket line until Cretex Companies abandons its attempt to strip workers of their pension benefits.

Since negotiations on a new contract for 38 members of Laborers Local 563 began in January, Cretex has refused to budge from its proposal to quit making contributions to workers’ pensions, Local 563 representative Steve Buck said.

“We have told them we have no interest in getting rid of our pension, and they continue to bring that forward as the key piece of their contract package,” Buck said. “They’ve dug in.”

In response, workers voted Monday to give their negotiators authority to call a strike if Cretex made no movement toward a compromise in negotiations Tuesday. Members walked off the job at 4 a.m. Wednesday.

FULL story at link.

[Brickbat]

1. Hot.

K&R.