Steelworkers local 9460 is set to strike on Monday January 25th. The strike would effect 1,400 workers and main departments with in SMDC.
The unfortunate thing is well unions are suppose to stick together and support each other that does not seem like it will happen in this case. Many of the other union workers (that work under different unions). have a no strike cause in the there contract. This in part allowing them to still work well another union is on strike. Many of those workers have said they will continue to work for SMDC.
The good think is that a lot of the hospitals patients are also union workers and they will not cross the picket line at least a large group of citizens have already said so. The union also has a large backing of non union employees across the city.
Should there be a strike in 10 days you can beat the employees will have a lot of support from this community.
The dispute is over out sourcing jobs and a hiring freeze. Well SMDC has given pay increase to none union employees and it's top people they are set on not allowing an increase to the Steelworkers for some reason.
SMDC says they are ready for a strike if they don't reach an agreement in the next 10 days.
2 comments:
John, I support the union workers. However, if they strike, it may not work out very well for the strikers. SMDC seems willing to hire replacement workers and there are -- in this economy -- plenty of people willing to be scabs.
Although this is a pro-union city, there is still a sizable minority in Duluth who will cheer when SMDC dumps their union workers for scabs. Check out this comment thread if you doubt me.
I really hope that the union accepts SMDC's crappy offer instead of striking. It sucks, but a game theory analogy comes to mind. If you are playing chicken with someone, and as you are driving toward them, you see them throw their steering wheel out the window -- what choices are you left with?
wow..that could be hard on every one..
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