Representatives of IMI Cornelius and the United Steelworkers of America will meet Thursday night, their first negotiations since workers went on strike Sept. 7.
Jerry Cramblitt, president of Steelworkers Local 15199, said he is not optimistic that the talks will produce results. 'They (the company) are pretty set on capping the insurance premiums,' he said, noting that high health care costs are a key issue in the strike.
The 430 members of Local 15199 are picketing 24 hours a day at the Cornelius plant located just off of Highway 10 in Anoka. The plant makes equipment for dispensing soft drinks and other beverages.
Narrowing the wage gap
Another key issue in the walkout is a two-tier pay system under which newer workers earn as much as $1.70 an hour less than more senior workers doing the same job. Union members want to narrow that gap, Cramblitt said. The union also disagrees with contract language changes sought by the company, he said.
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Health care has become a major issue because of the huge increase in costs - a 27 percent rise in the last year alone, Cramblitt said. Currently, workers are paying $294 a month for family coverage. If the company succeeds in capping its contribution, the employee cost for health care will continue to go up.
First strike in 21 years
The strike is the first at Cornelius in 21 years, Cramblitt said. 'It's been a long time,' he noted. 'Normally we'll work without a contract and try to resolve it as we go along. But this time it didn't seem the membership was willing to wait.'
The union hopes to have the strike declared an unfair labor practice strike, protecting the workers from being permanently replaced. It has filed a charge with the National Labor Relations Board alleging that the company has attempted to go outside the union and negotiate directly with employees, a violation of federal law. 'I think we have a pretty good case,' Cramblitt said.
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The union is preparing to involve the entire labor movement and the community through a huge rally Oct. 14, if the dispute continues to that point. Watch workdayminnesota.org for more information on the rally as it becomes available.
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Representatives of IMI Cornelius and the United Steelworkers of America will meet Thursday night, their first negotiations since workers went on strike Sept. 7.
Jerry Cramblitt, president of Steelworkers Local 15199, said he is not optimistic that the talks will produce results. ‘They (the company) are pretty set on capping the insurance premiums,’ he said, noting that high health care costs are a key issue in the strike.
The 430 members of Local 15199 are picketing 24 hours a day at the Cornelius plant located just off of Highway 10 in Anoka. The plant makes equipment for dispensing soft drinks and other beverages.
Narrowing the wage gap
Another key issue in the walkout is a two-tier pay system under which newer workers earn as much as $1.70 an hour less than more senior workers doing the same job. Union members want to narrow that gap, Cramblitt said. The union also disagrees with contract language changes sought by the company, he said.
online pharmacy buy flomax online with best prices today in the USA
Health care has become a major issue because of the huge increase in costs – a 27 percent rise in the last year alone, Cramblitt said. Currently, workers are paying $294 a month for family coverage. If the company succeeds in capping its contribution, the employee cost for health care will continue to go up.
First strike in 21 years
The strike is the first at Cornelius in 21 years, Cramblitt said. ‘It’s been a long time,’ he noted. ‘Normally we’ll work without a contract and try to resolve it as we go along. But this time it didn’t seem the membership was willing to wait.’
The union hopes to have the strike declared an unfair labor practice strike, protecting the workers from being permanently replaced. It has filed a charge with the National Labor Relations Board alleging that the company has attempted to go outside the union and negotiate directly with employees, a violation of federal law. ‘I think we have a pretty good case,’ Cramblitt said.
online pharmacy buy rogaine no prescription with best prices today in the USA
The union is preparing to involve the entire labor movement and the community through a huge rally Oct. 14, if the dispute continues to that point. Watch workdayminnesota.org for more information on the rally as it becomes available.
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