UPDATE: Kongsberg Auto 300 locked out, scabs bussed in

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.vwindependent.com/News%20Page.htm

State, local officials visit Kongsberg

State and local officials met with Kongsberg Automotive representatives Friday to convey the importance of the plant to the local, regional and state economy and to express a desire to work with the company to retain and expand the plant in Van Wert County. Officials also expressed the desire to maintain open lines of communication with the company while it works to resolve labor issues and maintain its customer base.

Van Wert Mayor Louis Ehmer, who attended the meeting with Van Wert County Commissioner Clair Dudgeon and Economic Development Director Nancy Bowen, said: “The City stands ready to assist the company in any way we can”. Wendy Patton, with Governor Ted Strickland’s office, and Brenda Sinclair, business development representative with the Ohio Department of Development, also attended the meeting via conference call to offer support to the company and to local officials.

Company representatives assured state and local officials that they are committed to the Van Wert facility and want to increase the productivity of the plant to attract new work and stay competitive in a global environment.

Meanwhile, more than 300 members of United Steelworkers Local 1-524 remain locked out of the plant as temporary workers making $9 an hour are bused in daily to do their jobs. The union overwhelmingly rejected a company contract offer 303-9 on Wednesday and were locked out of the plant prior to the start of third shift that night.

Plant Manager Larry Aberdeen read a statement that blamed the union for the lockout because of their failure to ratify the contract, which he called the company’s “last, best and final offer,” and also said unionized workers would be locked out until they accepted the company’s demands.

Union members, stating that the plant was profitable, were unwilling to accept wage cuts ranging from $2.40 to more than $7 an hour, plus make concessions on their health insurance and pension plans.

The company says the wage and benefit concession are needed to maintain the plant’s competitiveness.
4/5


Temporary workers go into the Kongsberg Automotive plant in Van Wert. Dave Mosier/Van Wert independent

And this.

http://www.wane.com/Global/story.asp?S=8114449&nav=0RYb

Hundreds out of work after contract is rejected in Van Wert

Updated: April 3, 2008 02:51 PM

VAN WERT, OH. - (WANE) More than 300 United Steel Workers have rejected a new contract at one of Van Wert's largest employers.

Union members at Kongsberg Automotive Holdings say the company tried to cut workers' pay by $7 an hour and raise insurance costs.

Workers said management locked the doors after they didn't approve the contract.

Kongsberg Van Wert plant manager, Larry Alberding said in statement released Thursday, "members of United Steel Workers Local 1-524 voted to reject the last best and final offer made by Kongsberg in the recent contract negotiations. Kongsberg Automotive therefore has no choice but to lock out employees."

Alberding said the lockout will continue until a contract agreement is ratified and wanted union employees to understand that the company does not take this decision lightly.

He finished by saying the employees will be welcome back inside once this matter is resolved.

[Fovea]

1. Do you think the steel workers would accept those cuts

if they saw management take bigger ones?

I am tired of seeing management get Ray Exxon fat while pushing austerity or offshore on the line.