12 December, 2014Workers from the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) union are standing firm after a ten-week dispute with refractory manufacturer RHI Monofrax in the US.
130 workers from both IndustriALL Global Union affiliate, IAM, and the Service Employees International Union have been on strike since 29 September after rejecting punitive health and pension proposals by the company.
RHI Monofrax is attempting to enforce workers to pay US$4,500 a year more for a healthcare scheme with less coverage than they had before.
The company also wants to freeze the Defined Benefit Pension to replace it with an alternative standard matching 401K with far less value.
“The stakes are very high; the proposals in front of them are draconian to say the least, and the company isn’t budging. That seems to be the spark that keeps the membership unified and strong,” says John Carr from IAM.
“Our members are not only resilient, but remain committed,” adds Carr. “However, even with donations and support from within the IAM and the labour community, it’s tough.”
The RHI Monofrax plant in Falconer, New York State, manufactures refractories for turning nuclear waste into glass.
It is part of the Austrian multinational group, RHI, which employs more than 8,000 people at 33 sites around the world.
RHI Monofrax has responded to the strike with further proposals that are even worse than the ones that led to the walkout, says IAM.
There are also many language changes that would negatively impact the Bargaining Unit such as those regarding worker rules and disciplinary policy, as well as having to divulge the medication needs of each employee to comply with drug and alcohol policy.
“This is another glaring example of outrageous conduct by a foreign-owned company against US workers that they wouldn’t be able to do in their home country,” said IAM’s Eastern Territory General Vice President, Lynn Tucker. “Our members are standing strong and deserve the support and gratitude of all trade unionists for fighting against corporate greed at its worst.”
In a message of solidarity to IAM’s International President, Thomas Buffenbarger, IndustriALL’s general secretary, Jyrki Raina, said:
“The company is seriously undermining workers’ rights under the bogus argument of remaining competitive in the marketplace. In addition, the company’s proposals would also impact negatively on the Bargaining Unit.
“IndustriALL Global Union demands that RHI Monofrax desists of its intransigent stance and sit down with IAM members to negotiate in good faith a fair agreement, concerning heath care plans and retirement plans, covering decent and well-deserved conditions and benefits for workers and their families.”