Steelworkers Mark Six Months of Solidarity at Hofmann

Union Pursues Illegal Lockout Allegations with Labor Board

For more information contact:
A. Steven Gombos (USW) – 610-326-0023
Dean Showers (USW) – 610-375-3355

PITTSBURGH – The United Steelworkers (USW) today said that 51 members of its Local 6996 this weekend marked six-months on the picket line since being illegally locked-out of their jobs on March 6, 2011 by Hofmann Industries, a steel tube fabricator in Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania.

Last week, the USW updated its charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to reflect that the company has continually failed to provide the union with information or documentation it needs to address Hofmann’s claims at the bargaining table, bolstering its case that Hofmann’s lockout is illegal.

“From the beginning, we’ve been willing to make reasonable sacrifices on economic, productivity and other issues,” said USW Representative Steve Gombos, “but the company either cannot or will not justify its demand that the USW-represented hourly workers accept cuts that the company’s other stakeholders aren’t being asked to take.”

“It’s completely wrong to enforce this lockout against our members while managers keep their bonuses and perks,” he said.

Local 6996 President Dean Showers said that he hopes the company doesn’t wait much longer to end the lockout and negotiate in good faith with the union so that the members of Local 6996 can get back to work.

“We’re standing up for our rights and fighting for our jobs,” Showers said. “We just hope that what has transpired over the past six months hasn’t permanently damaged the company’s customer base and reputation.”

Hofmann manufactures powder-coated and zinc-plated welded steel tubing for the Housewares, Furniture, Lawn and Garden, Fitness Equipment, Automotive and Recreational markets.

The USW, on the web at http://www.usw.org, represents 1.2 million active and retired workers in a wide variety of workplaces, including the health care industry, mining, manufacturing steel and other metals, rubber, glass, paper and chemicals as well as in the public sector.

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