BY DIANE GROTH
MILWAUKEE - More than 300 members and retirees of United
Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE) Local
1111 turned out for a June 2 lunchtime picket at the
headquarters of Rockwell Automation/Allen-Bradley. Workers
carrying signs demanding a decent contract, no cut in health
care, and better pensions chanted, "No cutbacks - No way."
The informational picket line was called to protest the company's plans to drastically cut the work force and to press the union's demands in contract negotiations.
On March 15 the company announced its intention to relocate and outsource more than 300 jobs. This is part of restructuring announced last July that will cut 3,000 jobs internationally. According to a flyer distributed by the union, the move could have a ripple effect at the plant leading to between 500 and 600 layoffs out of the 1,400 union jobs.
Rockwell Automation employs about 5,000 workers in the Milwaukee area, including those at its main plant and at a nonunion plant in nearby Mequon.
Much of the work will be sent to other Rockwell automation plants that are nonunion, such as those in Eau Claire, Ladysmith, Rhinelander, and Richland Center, Wisconsin.
On Oct. 5, 1998, the company laid off 105 people. In violation of the contract the company retained 58 electricians, machine repair people, and punch-press operators out of seniority order. After the union and the company reached an impasse in the grievance procedure the union members voted to take the issue to arbitration.
Last February, union members voted 288-208 to continue to arbitrate, despite the company's threats to immediately lay off the 58 workers unless the union accepted the bosses' terms. The employers then threatened in March to eliminate 330 jobs, unless the union agreed to major concessions. In April the company proposed and the union accepted the early opening of upcoming contract negotiations.
Workers plan to wear union T-shirts and buttons June 9 to show their determination. A contract vote is scheduled for June 13.
Dianne Groth is a member of UE Local 1111. Cappy Kidd from Chicago contributed to this article.