Fabcon strikers vow to resist major rollback in wages

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?news_6_4439

By Barb Kucera, Workday editor
15 April 2010

SAVAGE - Striking workers at Fabcon, Inc., joined by more than 100 supporters at a solidarity rally Thursday, vowed to fight company efforts to roll back wages.


Local 563 Business Manager Tim Mackey (above) addressed the rally as strikers and union officials looked on. Also joining in the event was the Building Trades' inflatable rat. Union members picketed outside the plant (below).


“We have to stay strong,” said Dennis Alvarado, a 10-year employee at Fabcon and member of Construction & General Laborers Local 563. Some 50 members of the union voted to go on strike April 5 rather than accept a Fabcon proposal to cut pay by 30 percent by eliminating overtime pay for weekend work.

The workers said the overtime pay made up for the time they lost being with their families. Negotiations have been going on since January and workers had stayed on the job since the last pact expired Jan. 31.

Negotiations were set to resume Friday and union officials said they are hopeful for a fair settlement.

In an attempt to keep operating, the company brought in strikebreakers on Monday, the union said. At least one replacement worker reported being injured on the job. See related story.

Taking a stand
“We had no illusions” going into negotiations, Local 563 Business Manager Tim Mackey said. “We knew it was hard times . . . What we didn’t expect was a company that wanted to gut our contract and roll us back 30 years.”

FULL story and more photos at link.