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| Strikers and supporters marched outside the plant Thursday. |
“We have to stay strong,” said Dennis Alvarado, a 10-year employee at Fabcon and member of Construction & General Laborers Local 563. Some 50 members of the union voted to go on strike April 5 rather than accept a Fabcon proposal to cut pay by 30 percent by eliminating overtime pay for weekend work.
The workers said the overtime pay made up for the time they lost being with their families. Negotiations have been going on since January and workers had stayed on the job since the last pact expired Jan. 31.
Negotiations were set to resume Friday and union officials said they are hopeful for a fair settlement.
In an attempt to keep operating, the company brought in strikebreakers on Monday, the union said. At least one replacement worker reported being injured on the job. See related story.
Taking a stand
“We had no illusions” going into negotiations, Local 563 Business Manager Tim Mackey said. “We knew it was hard times . . . What we didn’t expect was a company that wanted to gut our contract and roll us back 30 years.”
Speakers at the rally included state Rep. Tom Rukavina, DFL-Virginia; Minnesota AFL-CIO President Shar Knutson, Minnesota Building & Construction Trades Council President Harry Melander and other union officials.
“You’re fighting the fight for all workers,” Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation President Bill McCarthy told the strikers. “We will stand with you in any way we can.”
Chanting, “No contract – no peace!” the group marched around two sides of the plant as private security officers and Savage police looked on.
Fabcon has 13 locations nationwide, with the Minnesota plant being the largest in the Midwest, according to the company’s website. The workers in Savage manufacture precast concrete wall panels used in the construction of retail and other commercial buildings.
“A lot of these guys have been here since the doors opening in 1970,” said striker Kyle Twigg, a 15-year employee. “The company says that we’re No. 1, that they care about us. We’re the workforce – we are the people behind the product. Treat us that way!”
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| Local 563 Business Manager Tim Mackey (above) addressed the rally as strikers and union officials looked on. Also joining in the event was the Building Trades\' inflatable rat. Union members picketed outside the plant (below). |
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| Strikers and supporters marched outside the plant Thursday. |
“We have to stay strong,” said Dennis Alvarado, a 10-year employee at Fabcon and member of Construction & General Laborers Local 563. Some 50 members of the union voted to go on strike April 5 rather than accept a Fabcon proposal to cut pay by 30 percent by eliminating overtime pay for weekend work.
The workers said the overtime pay made up for the time they lost being with their families. Negotiations have been going on since January and workers had stayed on the job since the last pact expired Jan. 31.
Negotiations were set to resume Friday and union officials said they are hopeful for a fair settlement.
In an attempt to keep operating, the company brought in strikebreakers on Monday, the union said. At least one replacement worker reported being injured on the job. See related story.
Taking a stand
“We had no illusions” going into negotiations, Local 563 Business Manager Tim Mackey said. “We knew it was hard times . . . What we didn’t expect was a company that wanted to gut our contract and roll us back 30 years.”
Speakers at the rally included state Rep. Tom Rukavina, DFL-Virginia; Minnesota AFL-CIO President Shar Knutson, Minnesota Building & Construction Trades Council President Harry Melander and other union officials.
“You’re fighting the fight for all workers,” Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation President Bill McCarthy told the strikers. “We will stand with you in any way we can.”
Chanting, “No contract – no peace!” the group marched around two sides of the plant as private security officers and Savage police looked on.
Fabcon has 13 locations nationwide, with the Minnesota plant being the largest in the Midwest, according to the company’s website. The workers in Savage manufacture precast concrete wall panels used in the construction of retail and other commercial buildings.
“A lot of these guys have been here since the doors opening in 1970,” said striker Kyle Twigg, a 15-year employee. “The company says that we’re No. 1, that they care about us. We’re the workforce – we are the people behind the product. Treat us that way!”
|
| Local 563 Business Manager Tim Mackey (above) addressed the rally as strikers and union officials looked on. Also joining in the event was the Building Trades\’ inflatable rat. Union members picketed outside the plant (below). |
|
Related articles
Temp worker hired as Fabcon strikebreaker ends up in emergency room
House Speaker praises strikers for taking stand for fair wages