CONTACT: Wesley Thompson, (205) 631-0137, wthompson@usw.org
The United Steelworkers (USW) union released the following statement from USW District 9 Director Daniel Flippo today in response to the decision by Bull Moose Tube in Trenton to lock out 56 USW members at the specialty piping factory, a subsidiary of London’s Caparo PLC.
“The USW condemns the reckless decision today by Bull Moose Tube to lock out the members of USW Local 13679 at the company’s factory in Trenton, Ga.
“All workers deserve family-supporting wages, affordable health care and respect on the job. That is what these workers are seeking at the bargaining table. The company, sadly, would rather force their own hard-working employees out on the street than negotiate a fair contract that meets those fundamental needs.
“We have held more than a dozen bargaining sessions with the company, and we had every intention of continuing to bargain in good faith. Then the company made this destructive and disappointing choice to lock the doors on its own workers.
“Putting 56 people out of work doesn’t simply harm those individuals – it creates a ripple effect that causes economic hardship for families and businesses throughout the community.
“The USW has been and remains willing to continue bargaining an agreement that is fair to both sides. Unfortunately, the company has other ideas.
“We call on Bull Moose Tube to immediately reverse this ill-advised decision, put these hard-working people back on the job, and return to the bargaining table to negotiate a new agreement that treats these workers with the respect they deserve.”
The USW represents 850,000 workers in North America employed in many industries that include metals, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining and the service and public sectors.