Fight for fair contract will continue despite ruling

The USW’s efforts to negotiate a fair contract with Sherwin Alumina will continue, despite an Oct. 2 decision from the National Labor Relations Board’s general counsel stating that the company did not violate federal labor law by locking out 450 members of Local 235A last October.
 
“The USW is deeply disappointed in this flawed decision, and we are exploring our legal options in response to this ruling,” said USW International Vice President Tom Conway. “This lockout is completely unnecessary and deeply harmful to the workers, their families, and the entire community. We call on Sherwin to end the lockout now and commit to bargaining a fair agreement.”
 
Sherwin Alumina locked out 450 members of Local 235A on Oct. 11, 2014, while demanding deep cuts in pay and benefits.
 
Sherwin Alumina is owned by Glencore, a hugely profitable Swiss commodities giant that is the 10th largest corporation in the world, with net income of $4.6 billion in 2013.
 
In addition to the Sherwin lockout, Glencore has faced allegations of firings, anti-union intimidation and tax evasion at work sites all over the world, from the United States to Australia, South Africa and South America.

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