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IUE-CWA Strike Unites Labor in Rochester
A small manufacturing local in Rochester, N.Y., is making a determined stand in an unfair labor practice strike with the help of the entire labor community.
IUE-CWA Local 81331's strike against Caldwell Manufacturing entered its 11th week Oct. 28. The 40-member local has maintained a presence on the picket line from dawn to dusk with the help of IUE-CWA Locals 81321, 81381, 81495, 81381B, CWA Local 1170, the AFL-CIO's Rochester Central Labor Council, the Teamsters and UNITE. The local unions have also turned out members for rallies, press conferences and cookouts to keep the strike going.
"At any time in the morning, especially when it's a high traffic time, there are two to three times the people I have available out on the picket line, and that's coming from the local labor community, active and retired," said Local 81331 Shop Chairman Jeff Siddons.
Public officials have also walked the line, including state Rep. Susan John (D), chair of the New York Assembly Labor Committee, and state Rep. Joe Robach (R).
Buoyed by this widespread support, the local is ramping up the pressure with a local media blitz, leafleting in public areas and picketing outside the homes of company officials.
The workers, who manufacture window balances, voted to strike Aug. 11 after Caldwell refused to comply with a federal decision ordering the company to reverse wage and benefit changes. Caldwell brought in 60 scabs to keep its machinery running.
Until the strike started, members had been working under a contract the company illegally imposed in April 2004. Caldwell had terminated bargaining despite outstanding information requests by the union.
The union immediately filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board, and in June 2005, Administrative Law Judge Paul Bogas ruled Caldwell "prematurely" declared impasse. He ordered the company to return to the table and bargain in good faith, and to make full restitution to the workers for lost wages and benefits.
Caldwell has appealed the judge's ruling, a process that could take two years or longer to reach conclusion.
IUE-CWA Local 81331's strike against Caldwell Manufacturing entered its 11th week Oct. 28. The 40-member local has maintained a presence on the picket line from dawn to dusk with the help of IUE-CWA Locals 81321, 81381, 81495, 81381B, CWA Local 1170, the AFL-CIO's Rochester Central Labor Council, the Teamsters and UNITE. The local unions have also turned out members for rallies, press conferences and cookouts to keep the strike going.
"At any time in the morning, especially when it's a high traffic time, there are two to three times the people I have available out on the picket line, and that's coming from the local labor community, active and retired," said Local 81331 Shop Chairman Jeff Siddons.
Public officials have also walked the line, including state Rep. Susan John (D), chair of the New York Assembly Labor Committee, and state Rep. Joe Robach (R).
Buoyed by this widespread support, the local is ramping up the pressure with a local media blitz, leafleting in public areas and picketing outside the homes of company officials.
The workers, who manufacture window balances, voted to strike Aug. 11 after Caldwell refused to comply with a federal decision ordering the company to reverse wage and benefit changes. Caldwell brought in 60 scabs to keep its machinery running.
Until the strike started, members had been working under a contract the company illegally imposed in April 2004. Caldwell had terminated bargaining despite outstanding information requests by the union.
The union immediately filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board, and in June 2005, Administrative Law Judge Paul Bogas ruled Caldwell "prematurely" declared impasse. He ordered the company to return to the table and bargain in good faith, and to make full restitution to the workers for lost wages and benefits.
Caldwell has appealed the judge's ruling, a process that could take two years or longer to reach conclusion.