Woodland Pulp workers on strike due to employer contract proposal

Business Representative for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District Lodge 4, Dan Loudermilk, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the strike at the Woodland Pulp facility in Baileyville, Maine. Loudermilk discussed the workers involved with the strike and issues with negotiations.

Mechanics, boiler operators, welders, millwrights, and other employees make up the facility's workforce. These skilled craftsmen are represented by three unions working together in the facility: the Service Employees International Union, IAM and the Millwrights — who won’t be joining the strike until the week of Oct. 20 due to the wording in their constitution. There is wording in the contracts with the union and employer that states the employer can’t hire scab workers to replace the striking workers, Loudermilk said. However, until the employer follows their promise to negotiate in good faith, they will file as many National Labor Relations Board complaints as necessary.

Recently, there was a new proposal for the status and classification of workers. The proposal would have made every worker a general mechanic. This would remove the idea of a craftsman from the facility, which is home to some of the highest-trained craftsmen in the state, Loudermilk said. There would also be a potential pay raise for some of the workers. However, the employer has not announced which groups would receive the pay raises, and some groups may not receive a raise at all.

The employer is seeking an extension on the negotiations. The IAM refuses to postpone negotiations as they’ve been fighting for a new contract for too long. Throughout discussions, the employer did offer to meet earlier than the Nov. 9 date they gave for the next available negotiation session, but only if the union members would extend their current contract. Despite the games being played by the employer, Loudermilk said the skilled craftsmen are ready and willing to negotiate as soon as the employer says they’re ready. 

To hear more on the strike, listen to the show above.