Police vehicles can be seen above the sign (AWA photo)
To many people, the fundamental right of bargaining in good faith is taken as the absolute minimum that employees are entitled to. For the union workers at glass manufacturer EuropeTec’s plant in Clarksburg, West Virginia, this isn’t quite the case. Rather, this is day 24 of an illegal lockout that came about as a result of the manufacturer’s unwillingness to meet this fundamental right in good faith. As of February, the company unilaterally and illegally implemented its version of a final contract offer.
After numerous complaints of violations and work hazards on the job, and a push by the company to further pass health insurance costs onto their employees, workers are rightfully fed up. After approaching the company with their grievances concerning the overly hot working conditions because of the nonfunctional exhaust systems, the workers were completely ignored. Many workers are furious with the company’s intent to remove one of their scheduled breaks during the workday. Indeed, it seemed that workers were stuck in near sweatshop conditions according to the stories that they told. Rather than address these concerns in a professional manner with respect to the law, the employer instead chose to lock out the employees and hire scabs from a temporary work agency in Morgantown.
One of the more interesting things observed by this reporter was the presence of police on the manufacturer’s property. It appeared that two Clarksburg city police SUVs were stationed there to guard the facility. When questioned, locked-out workers explained that the city had allowed off-duty police to be employed by EuropeTec and utilize their work vehicles as a sort of private security force, with the only stipulation being that they replace any fuel used. It seems that this is a completely inappropriate use of city property for private gain in an attempt to delegitimize the grievances of the locked-out workers.
Throughout the entire fiasco, workers remain adamant in their conviction that they are simply fighting to hang on to what they have, rather than asking for increased compensation or benefits. In one of the worker’s own words, “We aren’t asking for much, just a fair contract and the ability to get back to work.” Overall, morale is high among the union ranks and that doesn’t look to change anytime soon as this event is set to only continue indefinitely.
Folks are encouraged to show their support and solidarity by contributing to the Strike Relief fund of United Steel Workers Local 567, and any other way they can. Together, the Union and the community behind it serve as the front line defense against greed and injustice in the workplace.
After numerous complaints of violations and work hazards on the job, and a push by the company to further pass health insurance costs onto their employees, workers are rightfully fed up. After approaching the company with their grievances concerning the overly hot working conditions because of the nonfunctional exhaust systems, the workers were completely ignored. Many workers are furious with the company’s intent to remove one of their scheduled breaks during the workday. Indeed, it seemed that workers were stuck in near sweatshop conditions according to the stories that they told. Rather than address these concerns in a professional manner with respect to the law, the employer instead chose to lock out the employees and hire scabs from a temporary work agency in Morgantown.
One of the more interesting things observed by this reporter was the presence of police on the manufacturer’s property. It appeared that two Clarksburg city police SUVs were stationed there to guard the facility. When questioned, locked-out workers explained that the city had allowed off-duty police to be employed by EuropeTec and utilize their work vehicles as a sort of private security force, with the only stipulation being that they replace any fuel used. It seems that this is a completely inappropriate use of city property for private gain in an attempt to delegitimize the grievances of the locked-out workers.
Throughout the entire fiasco, workers remain adamant in their conviction that they are simply fighting to hang on to what they have, rather than asking for increased compensation or benefits. In one of the worker’s own words, “We aren’t asking for much, just a fair contract and the ability to get back to work.” Overall, morale is high among the union ranks and that doesn’t look to change anytime soon as this event is set to only continue indefinitely.
Folks are encouraged to show their support and solidarity by contributing to the Strike Relief fund of United Steel Workers Local 567, and any other way they can. Together, the Union and the community behind it serve as the front line defense against greed and injustice in the workplace.
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