Unhappy with strike, workers cross line

The workers say they are enjoying their jobs more now that everyone has pulled together.
By DON SHILLING
VINDICATOR BUSINESS EDITOR
STRUTHERS -- Workers crossing the picket line at Astro Shapes say they don't understand why their union is striking the aluminum extruder.
"It's a tremendous company to work for," said Kathy Hollis of Austintown, one of 15 workers who met Monday with The Vindicator at the plant.
She pointed out the company has offered fully paid health care premiums and annual raises of 40 cents an hour. It also provides smaller benefits, such as having a psychologist available for workers and being flexible when workers need emergency time off, she said.
Malessa Dack, a painter at the plant, said about 30 workers have crossed the picket line of United Steelworkers of America Local 9401 and she expects more this week. They just don't see a reason for the strike, which began Nov. 5.
"Why they are doing this, I have no clue," she said.
Contract language
The reason for the strike is simple, said Tony Sevi, Local 9401 president, who thinks no more than 21 people have crossed the picket line.
Union officials don't think language in the contract is strong enough to protect jobs from being reduced by sending work to contractors, he said. During the last contract, the truck driving department was outsourced, which led to 10 drivers being reassigned to other jobs.
The workers said they aren't worried about losing their jobs.
"The company has never treated us that way. If your position is not needed anymore, you are given another job," Dorothy Hubbard of Struthers said.
She and others still on the job said the union is proposing subcontracting language that is too restrictive and that the company needs the ability to use contractors for plant expansions and other projects. The workers said they don't expect the company to eliminate other departments.
The best way to keep jobs at the plant is to keep working, so the company can maintain its supplies to customers, the workers said.
They said 155 people, including management, are working inside the plant. The union has 320 members, although those inside the plant say they have resigned.
They are working 12-hour shifts, although sometimes they put in 24 hours straight.
Workers said they are enjoying their jobs more now because everyone is working together.
"I look forward to coming to work every day," Hollis said.
Abuse
They said they aren't enjoying the abuse they are taking for crossing the line, however. They said they are shouted at, have had nails and tacks thrown in their driveways and have been threatened.
Sunday, two workers who are crossing the picket line filed reports with Struthers police that said nails had been placed in their driveways, and one said a ball bearing also had crashed through the window of her house.
Sevi said reports of violence aren't credible.
"We're not about violence. We're out there putting out the truth," he said.
He said support for the strike among union members is strong. At the request of the company, union officials put the latest contract proposal to a vote Nov. 19 and 79 percent of members rejected it.
Bob Cene, company vice president, said he's pleased the company has been able to satisfy its customers. The next negotiations are scheduled for Dec. 10, he said.
shilling@vindy.com