USW: American Standard out to break union
By LARRY SHIELDSSALEM - With American Standard placing ads for temporary labor in local newspapers the next three days, United Steel Workers Local 1538 staff representative Joe Holcomb said it was clear the company is fixed on breaking the union.
"I don't know to take it any other way," he said Thursday.
The union and management have been deadlocked in a strike that the union calls an unfair labor strike and management said is an economic strike.
Ads were placed for skilled and unskilled positions in welding, small assembly and packing at pay ranging from $11.90 to $14.82 an hour.
Workers must be willing to work overtime and on Sunday.
Holcomb said after the company rejected an alternative union health insurance proposal that could potentially save the company $640,000, it became clear it was about a philosophy "to break us."
Union and management officials are farther apart than ever and a two-and-a-half hour union meeting on Wednesday failed to make progress in settling the strike that is three weeks old today.
On Tuesday, the company moved acrylic products and some steel bathtubs to a sister facility in Canada.
Holcomb expected the company to find replacements or to hire strike breakers, explaining there are companies that can be hired to do that at $30 and $40 an hour.
"So cost doesn't bother them," he said, "the company made it clear they didn't want $1.2 million in profit ... this is about concessions.
"The $1.2 million doesn't mean anything, they still want concessions."
A membership meeting has been set for 3:40 p.m. Tuesday at the United Steelworkers of America hall at 547 Prospect St.
Holcomb said the membership will be presented with three options: vote to accept the company's final proposal; stay on strike; or return to work and continue fighting labor law violations in the courts.
A message was left with the company spokesperson for comment on this story.
Larry Shields can be reached at lshields@salemnews.net
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taurus
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11-09-08 10:53 AM
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You guys were busy last night, geesh! I was out actually trying to have a good time with friends and forget this situation for awhile. PBE - I haven't really changed my attitude about the strike. I did come to realize that you and trublu are more compassionate than others. I understand now that you would help anyone, but as I stated before I just don't agree with your methods. Why not come back to work and go to school to learn something different in case they do end up leaving town? And, I cannot get past the "few bad apples" in the union who want to hurt people like me just trying to do their jobs. Why film us, why the nails/screws in the parking lot, what does that get you?
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PBE123
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11-07-08 11:19 PM
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That hatedred has been on both sides Drudge and you have to admit that. I have not once called anyone other then the scab that was in here earler a name or talked hatedred. I did not even talk hatedred about the scab only that I did not want him in my life. I am a easy going person and I can have a conversation with anyone and it does not have to be behind a computer screen. Night Night
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Drudgery1971
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11-07-08 11:16 PM
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Quite Possible. Do you think these type of discussions would take place without anonimity in a general sense..... I don't. I have seen so much hatred spewing out of some of the posts that if it were in person there would be an issue with some of the poeple (not you in particular). None the less I gotta go. I'll Yell at ya some more later. Likewise I am sure - see ya.
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PBE123
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11-07-08 11:12 PM
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You a youngone lol. I am older then 37 and that is all I will say about age. I believe you do not work there I think you are far too smart to work there either in management or union and I know you are against the union also. Who knows I probably already seen you for you said you were taking the kids trick or treating and maybe they come to my house
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Drudgery1971
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11-07-08 11:08 PM
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37 but I will not drag any company names into this or school names into it. Its not about what I have done or where I work. Its about either going back to work or not and if not what those implications may be to many of you and actually all of us (back to the community topic you don;t like so much).
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PBE123
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11-07-08 11:02 PM
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Again former president that no longer works there and to be honest with you I never did like him even a little bit he was a oh never mind but I do not want to ever see him again long story. As far as taking down plate numbers well the company has been the only one doing that not us and you can park up the street at the bowling aley and walk down then we could not see your plate. how old are you again and where did you go to school
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Drudgery1971
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11-07-08 10:58 PM
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I agree. But again if I go back to risk and reward.....me going down there will not change you minds or my mind and certainly not the companies. It would be nice on a personally level to meet you since I beleive you specifically could be reasoned with but you guys all know perfectly well what i am talking about in terms of taking license plates down - it would never show up as a Union violence issue just some guys tires getting slashed randomly - or worse, just like the former president of your union insinuated a week ago "there are ways to deal with these people - you just have to be smart". I know thats not you but in total its not worth it. Gotta hed in. Have a good evening and think about what you will be doing next week.
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PBE123
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11-07-08 10:58 PM
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You out in the gradge again Drudge?? I am telling you 4 woman and a man that is a peach at 4 in the afternoon. All of us very nice people that might not agree with you but this is America and we are all free to think how we want to think
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PBE123
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11-07-08 10:56 PM
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Love ya Lady night night
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PBE123
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11-07-08 10:56 PM
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Maybe you are thinking back in the 60's when people were protesting the war and unions were strong arms that is not now Drudge
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neverascabshallibe
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11-07-08 10:55 PM
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OK, I will see ya soon, hopefully I will get to see your grandbaby one of these days...take care, be strong, love ya
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PBE123
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11-07-08 10:54 PM
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Keeping the Grandbaby overnight Sunday night that is my night with him sense I am off and finally have the time
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neverascabshallibe
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11-07-08 10:54 PM
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Wow you are a puppy, lol
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PBE123
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11-07-08 10:53 PM
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Oh man Drudge you really do miss read us. There has not been one incident out there where any one of our picketers have done anything. We are very friendly group all of us.
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neverascabshallibe
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11-07-08 10:53 PM
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Good night PBE123 and Drudge, I will see ya maybe Sunday PBE? and Drudge, I really hope we get to meet sometime, please read up on Chalie Kernahan
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Drudgery1971
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11-07-08 10:53 PM
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37 years old - just a young silly pup.
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PBE123
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11-07-08 10:52 PM
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Well I do not do dunken or speedway and the man does the grosery shopping you see because he likes his junk which I will not buy for him so he goes to the store while I am not looking to load up
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PBE123
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11-07-08 10:50 PM
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4 in the afternoon Drudge is not the middle of the night. It is still daylight out
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Drudgery1971
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11-07-08 10:50 PM
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Its not what you personally would do..... you have to understand there are poeple in any organization that are on the fringes and do not have any reason (even on the anti-union side of things). Again - I really do appreciate it. We will probably cross paths at Giant Eagle or Speedway or Dunkin sometime and maybe a conversation will strike up - who knows.
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PBE123
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11-07-08 10:49 PM
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Night Night get some rest you need it. See ya tomorrow at midnight
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PBE123
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11-07-08 10:48 PM
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How old are you Drudge you said you are from this area we might just know each other but I doubt it I am probably older then you
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neverascabshallibe
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11-07-08 10:47 PM
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Good night the one and only MR AMERICANMADE I am headed that way myself
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PBE123
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11-07-08 10:46 PM
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Well drive by the back gate and see for yourself and if you think it looks safe enough for ya stop by and have a bite to eat
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neverascabshallibe
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11-07-08 10:46 PM
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Bring a taxi down if you are worried. I can understand the fear...the corporates have mislead you....
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PBE123
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11-07-08 10:45 PM
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Well tomorrow it will just be 4 of us girls and one man my other half whom I took over for on here this is his name lol so and I promice you you would be safe. Cops are by all the time and we are very nice people
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