Tony Rosaci, General Organizer for Ironworkers International and Tim Dunlap, Recording Secretary and Chief Shop Steward for Ironworkers Local 807, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the recent contract negotiations with Cives Steel at the Augusta, Maine plant. Dunlap shared the stalling tactics the company used during negotiations and the solidarity shown from other labor organizations.
This wasn’t the first time Cives Steel was difficult during contract negotiations with Ironworkers Local 807, but Rosaci believes this time was the most unique. The company stalled negotiations by working to find loopholes, and in general did not want to participate in negotiations, but this might have been the best contract Local 807 has ever received. Previously, Cives tried to schedule production projects around the ending of contracts, so workers couldn’t use the threat of interrupting production with a strike at the bargaining table. However, due to a busy schedule, other plants being too busy to take extra work and a worker shortage, Local 807 was able to gain leverage this time.
The new contract provides workers with major increases in multiple areas. The first was an average 6.5 percent increase in wages in the first year. Dunlap was excited to announce that the biggest win came in the form of company contributions to retirement, with a 25 percent increase. Some of the other wins included more safety equipment on the work floor and having the phrase, “Produced by Ironworkers Local 807” stamped on every load of steel leaving the warehouse.
This wasn’t an easy process, Dunlap said. Local 807’s negotiations were buoyed by the solidarity shown from the Virginia and Upstate New York Cives plants along with the Maine AFL-CIO and it’s member unions. During a rally prior to negotiations, nearly 100 people from the Maine AFL-CIO and its member unions along with multiple other labor organizations joined Local 807 to show their support. The support was not lost, as Local 807 immediately agreed to affiliate with the Maine AFL-CIO following the successful contract negotiations.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more.