More information, contact: Ron Wilkey (636) 524-1239, rwilkey@usw.org or Tony Montana (412) 562-2592, tmontana@usw.org
Hannibal, Mo. – The United Steelworkers (USW) today said that roughly 100 members of USW Local 11-205 on Wednesday ratified a new, five-year contract with Continental Cement after an eight-day strike over unfair labor practices.
USW District 11 Director Emil Ramirez said that community support, along with the unity of the membership, were key to the union’s success in resolving the issues at the bargaining table.
“Our solidarity was the determining factor that enabled us to fight off the company’s demands at the table for workers to give up their rights and voices over scheduling and other issues,” said USW District 11 Director Emil Ramirez. “We owe gratitude to the community for supporting our members and their families during the labor dispute.”
“With a fair contract now in place, USW members look forward to returning to work with the knowledge that we can accomplish great things together in Hannibal,” Ramirez said. “Continental Cement is lucky to have a dedicated, loyal workforce, and as production resumes, we expect management to treat them with the respect that they have clearly earned and deserve.”
The USW represents 850,000 workers in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number in public sector, higher education, tech and service occupations.