North Coast Area Labor Federation President Pat Gallagher and United Steelworkers Local 14919 President Terrell Williams joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss a strike by Local 14919 members at the Sherwin-Williams plant in Bedford Heights, Ohio.
Negotiations began on Oct. 26, 2021 and when the CBA expired on Nov. 20, 2021, union members worked without a contract. After more than two months without a contract, the 55 members of Local 14919 went on strike Feb. 5, Williams explained.
He said union members are asking for a fair contract, including a 4 percent raise, which management claims it cannot afford. The increase in wages would merely keep up with inflation, Williams added.
He expects both sides to go back to the bargaining table next week.
Gallagher also talked about efforts to organize workers at the AM/NS plant in Calvert, Ala. Organizers are gathering union cards and soon hope to have enough to hold an election under the National Labor Relations Board.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about these topics.