Workers at Fabcon voted to go on strike April 5 rather than accept new contract terms that would have slashed pay by 30 percent by eliminating overtime pay for weekend work.

“This morning at 7:00 a.m. they brought strikebreakers up from Ohio. They came across the picket line in a big charter bus,” reported Tim Mackey, Local 563 business manager.

Mackey said Fabcon has another plant in Ohio but said he didn’t know if the strikebreakers came from Fabcon’s Ohio plant.

Mackey said the union had received reports that 15-20 strikebreakers were on the bus.

“We’re going to continue to picket and stand up until they preserve overtime pay on the weekends,” Mackey said.

About 50 members of Local 563 work at the plant, which manufactures pre-cast concrete panels for use in construction.

Many of the workers have worked at Fabcon’s Savage plant 10, 20 or 30 years.

Mackey appealed for a show of support for the striking workers for a rally planned Thursday, April 15, at 10 a.m. at Fabcon, located at 6111 West Highway 13 in Savage (south side of Highway 13 at Dakota Ave., between Highway 169 and Interstate 35W).

“It’s a fight for all labor to join in,” Mackey said. “All working people should get involved.”

Steve Share edits the Labor Review, the official publication of the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation. Learn more at www.minneapolisunions.org

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