Ohio: Kongsberg Automotive Holding locks out USWA workers, hires temp. workers and the fear of global environment
Ohio: Kongsberg Automotive Holding locks out USWA workers, hires temp. workers and the fear of global environment
Workers at the Kongsberg Automotive Holding facility, formerly known
as Teleflex, have been locked out by the company after failing to
approve a contract which asked for deep pay cuts and increased health
care costs, not much more information is known aside from the fact that
the company has been bringing in replacement workers. Contract negotiations between Kongsberg Automotive Holding, formerly known as Teleflex, and the 328 United Steel Workers employed at the Van Wert facility took on a more ominous tone on Tuesday.Apparently the members did not ratify the contract, heres more info from From TimesBulletin.com (4/04/08) : VAN WERT - The first full day of the lockout at Kongsberg Automotive saw no changes in either labor or management positions. Workers who voted down the auto parts manufacturer's contract offer stood just off company property with picket signs. Meanwhile private security remained on site at the facility to make sure the locked out workers stayed out.Which leaves us with the latest news from TimesBulletin.com (4/05/08) : Meeting Held with Kongsberg Automotive Lock out continues despite effortWheres the story about the workers? How many are involved? It seems evident that this company is trying to break the union. The line "stay competitive in a global environment" about sums it up as far as what Free Trade has done to the workers in the United States, while the Clinton administration sold us the first of which, NAFTA, under the promise of it bringing up the workers in Mexico, and with the continuance of such "Free Trade" agreements in the Bush Administration creating this "Global economy", has done exactly the opposite, they have pitted the 3rd. world workforce against us as a bargaining chip. Over 470 textile mills have relocated to places where workers make about $60 a month. While the corporate media urged consumerism amongst the citizens, and banks with the encouragement of the Fed gave out mortgages to those who couldn't afford it and Big Boxes such as Wal-Mart through Lobbyists and anti-union campaigns sold you the idea of lower prices. We are now entering this brave new third world. This is not a recession, this is an adjustment into the global economy, and when you need to place the blame, you should only get as far as the mirror, for your allowance to be mislead and letting big business know matter of factly by your purchasing foreign products, that you didn't give one shit about American jobs. So now lie in your beds, you helped to make them. Now the administration is jamming the Colombian Free Trade Agreement, which Hillary's campaign chief strategist Mark Penn has an involvement through his law firm and has been in meetings with ambassadors of that country, is being jammed down our throats. It's not too late to sway this, you have to get involved. Say no to the Colombian Free trade Agreement Act Now! Click Below!!  Thanks to Omaha Steve at Democratic Undergrounds' Labor section for the initial story  and to Jason Lefkowitz at the Change to Win WebBlog for the Hillary campaign info  Sphere: Related Content Related Posts by CategoriesBush
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The Union's Side of the LOCK OUT By KONGSBERG Of Norway
Thank you Tom for adding
KONGSBERG LOCK OUT of its u.s. workers, Van Wert, Ohio
I am on the front lines of this battle.
I will inform you of what happens when a Foreign National Company, buys a U.S. Company. How that Company comes in and tries to destroy the will of the u.s. workers, to break their Spirit And Determination. How it reeks havoc upon those u.s. workers by the Company Locking Them Out of the plant so they cannot perform their work.
The picket line in Van Wert, Ohio tonight is wet and windy but brave men and women walk those lines. Standing up against all obstacles, having the Courage to know what is right. These workers are members of the community of Van Wert and the surrounding area. They are honest and respectful people. They are U.S. Veterans, leaders in the community, neighbors, friends and patrons, the list could go on forever, they are community.
Kongsberg Automotive Of Norway is intent on breaking the will of these Made In The U.S.A. Workers - Kongsberg Automotive Of Norway will "Preach a Company Code Of Ethics but they do not practice it in The United States.
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KONGSBERG Of Norway - Lock Out Of U.S. WORKERS - Van Wert, OH
Kongsberg Automotive Of Norway - LOCKED OUT U.S. Workers- Van Wert, Ohio
This Company now has stooped as low as contacting former workers of the Company, that the Company claimed to "Terminate For Just Cause," asking them if they would come back to work. What a "Code Of Co. Ethics." Even their own salary group that they just let go are being asked to come back to work.[All have said "No"] All in their attempt to run this plant with temporary workers and put not only themselves in jeopardy but that of the customers and the general public. If certain components for Ford, Chrysler or General Motors are not made to specifications then they are prone to failure and potential recall after the components have been installed on the car makers vehicles.
Kongsberg Automotive Of Norway is wanting to impose upon these U.S. Workers their philosophy on competitiveness in a global economy by bringing them down to Chinas' living standards rather then bringing China's up to the United States. In other words lets pay our U.S. Workers less. I do know that Kongsberg Automotive V.P Of Operations N A Operations Driveline Systems Kevin McMahon was present one day at these negotiations and pretty much was raising the flag of China all across the table.
It's Cold on the picket line today, the wind in much stronger and the temperature is dropping. It will be a cold night.
Tomorrow will be Sunday and the Community will be in prayer, Kongsberg will keep busing in temporary workers and the guards will meet them at the gate. These proud U.S. Workers Of Van Wert will man their post. May all the prayers be heard to bring this Company to their senses, for this senseless act. Amen .
continued -
Thanks Tom, I'm writing a
Thanks Tom, I'm writing a new story about this, how are things? Is there any negotiations going on? Do you have a link to any more info? Hang tough brother.
In Solidarity,
Joe
KONGSBERG AUTOMOTIVE Of Norway - LOCK OUT - Of U.S. Workers
The picket line, in Van Wert, Ohio - today, Sunday, is very cold and wet, rain/snow/wind mixture but the women I meet today have tried to dress for this weather. They are truly bound by their commitment to this cause at this time. The weather is really brutal and it shows upon their uncovered face, they endure. The members District Director and the Sub-District Director came to the picket line today - at the Union Hall it felt of family today members of the community dropping off items for our need and use. Young children with looks of innocence running about playing.
The Company ran the plant today shipping in and shipping out workers. Some we know have "bad" records of conviction, some we know have "leg bands," this Company will stoop to any means to try and run this plant. They are doing to these U.S. Workers what they cannot do to their own Norwegian Workers that is Lock Them Out. It is illegal in Norway.
Leaving the picket line today I looked back and noticed our Made In The USA American Flag - it Stands Tall, right next to the Made in the USA Norway Flag we fly with all respects. My thoughts turned to one of the Locked Out U.S. Workers, his name was Gene. Gene is the Commander of the local V.F.W. Post, he is coming off sick leave and is now ready to man his post. Gene is just one example of this of this talented U. S. Workforce, there-are many. I think to myself what a shame to think that in America a Veteran has to fight to keep his job - and that fight is with A Foreign National Company.
No negotiations scheduled for the parties to get back together at this time. I know the USW Staff Representative was at the picket line last week and asked the question to the Company's attorney Todd Dawson, the attorney rode the bus into the plant. The Company's position was that there was nothing to talk about.
Tonight men and women will continue their picket line, " Proud U. S. Workers." They Pledge To Last One Day Longer than any obstacle that may be placed in their way." My God show them the way."
continued -
Kongsberg Lockout
My husband and 300+ others are locked out from this billion dollar company that supposedly understands their social and moral obligation to our community. I say they haven't a clue. These workers have yet to see nor meet anyone from Norway who made this purchase which should sum it all up....they don't give a damn about these people. To offer them the kind of package and tell them to take it or leave it is absolute insanity. They knew full well that these UNION members would not accept this. Now they have denied unemployment benefits to these locked out workers. People talk about all the atrocities that happen in foreign countries, what about what is happening here? There are many married couples who work at this plant who now find themselves with no income. We are working class people, living paycheck to paycheck, trying to keep ourselves afloat during these economic hard times. I honestly believe that this was their intent from the inception of the purchase....offer these people crap and they'll reject it. I wonder how long the scab workers will work 12+ hour days seven days a week and just what kind of quality parts they'll be producing. I wonder how long it'll be before Ford, GM, and Chrysler walk away....boy, this is sure a great introduction to them by Kongsberg...I don't see this coming to a story book ending...keep praying for us and thanks for understanding that standing up for what is right is priceless...we'll hold our heads high even during the weakest times...
Thank you Michelle and Tom
Thank you Michelle and Tom for keeping us up to date, I did write a story about this at Joe's Union Review "From the picket lines: American Axle and Kongsberg Automotive workers speak out on the internet", and one of our friends, UnionGal, has posted around the net "It Just Keeps Getting Worse"
Stay strong,
Joe
Kongsberg Lock Out
As I sit here tonite, almost two weeks into this, reading an email my 14 year old daughter wrote to Olav Volldal, the CEO of Kongsberg, the reality of this situation is becoming clear. My husband, who is a 29 year employee of Kongsberg (fka Teleflex) and has always put in an honest days work for them, missing a handful of days in that 29 years, I'm finally seeing that loyalty to these people means nothing. What did that loyalty get us? A feeling of betrayal, a feeling that at the mid stage of our lives, when we thought we could just kind of coast into our 50's, everything has been turned upside down with one swift move by this company. It is difficult to tell your teenage daughter that she can't go out for cheerleading for her Freshman year in high school because you're not sure you'll have the money for her to go to camp this summer...how do you tell this child, who is caught in the middle of this calculated manipulation, that she can't do something she loves. These people are robbing me of the security I've felt for so long. I don't know how long this will last or how long people can hold out. Of course, there will be a hearing on April 28 to determine whether this is a true labor dispute, but from what I gather, the company can appeal the decision that is made 3 times. It could be awhile before any unemployment benefits are rec'd. There are many families who have both a mother and father employed at Kongsberg, thank God that isn't our situation but my heart goes out to them. Then, I think about the people who have medical conditions, expensive medicines, etc...what will happen on May 1 when they no longer have insurance and will not have any income to afford supplemental health insurance? The what if's are enough to make a person crumble. The sad part of this situation is that if the words "current employees" had not been included in the wage portion of the agreement that was presented to the union...this would have passed with a strong vote. I understand the two tier wage scale but when my husband's wage would go from $16.96 to $9.45 per hour how could he in good conscience vote for that, knowing it would crumble us financially. Well, I guess the company felt that by locking us out they would crumble us. We have the support of local people, they understand our fight and that means alot. I think everyone understands the economic impact of this...the tax base our city will lose, our new middle school-high school complex will feel a direct blow by this, everyone in this small community of about 12,000 people will be impacted by this. There are many opinions to be read about this on our local online newspapers www.vwindependent.com and www.timesbulletin.com. We will stand tall and walk with our heads high even through the toughest of times, we are family and we will stand beside one another.....
Pray for a resolution to this matter, sooner rather than later
In Solidarity and Thanks
I just wanted to chime in to tell you guys that I have been quiet on this thread, I have really appreciated all the updates. I am with you guys in total solidarity and Joe, I cannot thank you enough for bringing this to the site. I have been reading it all and just didn't chime in ... I am truly learning about this from you guys. it is great to be informed on my own site ...
In total Solidarity,
-Richard