Griffin Pipe lockout continues (OS to walk with brothers & sister of USW)

[Omaha Steve]

I just found out about this. I'll get some time on the line in the next couple days! I met a USW sister from this plant at an Edwards rally last October.

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19250366&BRD=2703&PAG=461&dept_id=555106&rfi=6

Sunshine Dalton, Staff writer
01/31/2008

"There have been no changes since yesterday," Ron Bland, Manager of Human Resources for Griffin Pipe, 2601 Ninth Ave., said this morning.

Sunday night at around 11 p.m., union members reporting for third-shift were sent home because of a "work stoppage." Some stayed and gathered around the front gates in protest.


Staff photo/Sunshine Dalton - United Steelworkers Local 3141 Union members have protested a lockout of 270 employees at Griffin Pipe for the last four days.


Approximately 270 United Steelworker Local 3141 Union employees were not allowed to work, and benefits such as medical coverage were immediately canceled. Many have filed for unemployment.

A total of 70 salaried employees are presently working at the plant.

Bland said the lockout was the result of an inability to negotiate contract terms.

The contract between the union and company expired in November of 2007. The parties have been negotiating new terms that would be good for three years.

FULL story at link.