All workers in blast furnaces, steel mills, aluminum plants, etc. All workers engaged in the production and repair of agricultural machinery, cars, locomotives, engines, automobiles, bicycles, air craft, and various instruments. Tool makers, jewelry and watchmakers.
Submitted on Thu, 07/21/2005 - 6:24pm
Date: Thu Jul 21, 2005 11:47:56 AM EDT Subject: General Inquiry submission
Name : Paul Craig Sec/Treas. I.B.B.484 , Meredosia Illinois 62665
Email : [email protected]
Subject : lockout of I.B.B. 484
Message : This is the information that pertains to the lock out of the Boilermakers L-484 of Meredosia, Illinois. The following information was sent to ICEM. We need to reach out to the world to assist us in putting pressure on Celanese of Dallas Tx. to bargain in good faith and to end the lockout of our members.
The members have been without wages since June 5th. I would greatly appreciate it if there is anyway to put out our cause to your readers for support.
484 Solidarity - Defense Fund P.O. 258 Meredosia, Illinois 62665 217-584-1916
Please contact me for more informtion.
Thanks
Paul Craig I.B.B. 484
There are 148 employees with average plant age of mid 30s. The employees live in the 5 county bordering the plant.
Meredosia is located in western Illinois along the Illinois River. Celanese bought 1/2 our plant ibn Feb 2005. We signed a 120 day extension after the sale and it seems the company was spending more time on their contengency plan than negotiations. Negotiations broke down in the final days after 9 days of non-monetary discussions. The company issued the Lockout notice on June 3 and locked out the membership on June 5 at 9:30 pm. The company is offering to hold the helpers wages flat for the 3 year period of the contract, has insisted on placing our membership in Aetna family for insurance at a rate of 20 % premium union co-pay. The insurance network plans for very limited coverage of doctors in our area. Most families will have to travel up to 50 miles to find a dr. in the network. The offer included retirees to copay for health insurance also and to freeze the pension rate at $48.00 per month per year of service. As most of these proposals are consessionary to our members. We previously had a traditional 90/10 with no premium copays.