The walkout by 388 union members won wide support from area unionists and other workers and included several spirited rallies. The 100 warehouse workers at C&H who belong to International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 6 honored the picket line.

During the walkout C&H threatened to end health coverage weeks earlier than agreed in the event of a strike. “The loss of medical benefits isn’t an inconvenience. It threatens peoples’ lives,” said Donald Trigg, a millwright with two artificial heart valves after a triple bypass. Medication alone costs about $2,500 a month, he estimated.

“The company moved off its last final offer because of the strength shown, especially the July 16 rally. That day they delayed and diverted trucks,” said Joe Palacio, Local 1 business agent.

The Sugar Workers Union held a rally of 200 in front of the plant July 16 in response to company efforts to organize cops to escort trucks through the picket lines. “This is the first time they tried to run trucks during a strike,” said Gary Black who has worked at C&H for 30 years and is a refinery operator. There have been four strikes in 29 years.

“The contract includes a 9 percent wage increase over three years, with a cost-of-living increase; credit of up to $100 for those who retire over the next three years; and $20 pretax deduction per payday for health care,” Palacio said. The company had offered an 8 percent wage raise, and up to $30 out of the biweekly paychecks, depending on the health plan, up from $8 in the past.

“Our main concern is the pension and medical benefits,” said Sashwani Harrison while picketing. “One-third of the workforce is about to retire.” Harrison joined with employees of auto dealerships July 12 in a rally called by the Central Labor Council of Contra Costa County. Automotive Machinists and Teamsters on strike are demanding to be paid for an eight-hour day instead of piece rates, permanent work instead of temporary jobs, and health benefits. “The mechanics are paid by the car,” said Janice Kelley, who has worked at C&H for 10 months.

“I was surprised. I didn’t think we’d be so united,” said Robert Lynn who works in packaging and has been at C&H for four years. “It’s a bigger picture than a few dollars. This is not just about our contract but the world. We need to make a change. Corporate America’s attitude toward their workers is completely going in the wrong direction. There was a time in this country when the philosophy was to treat the employee well. Now it’s take, take, take.”

C&H workers include Latinos, Blacks, and immigrants from India. There are a significant number of women. Many unionists noted the role t hey played during the walkout.

“We need more women on the picket line,” said Marion Berry, a machine operator and mechanic at C&H for 36 years. “They’re more intimidating than a man. It makes us stronger. I’ve seen women do things they never did before.”

“The women work alongside men. There’s equal pay,” said Jon Nelson, a maintenance worker with 37 years in the plant. “The old cube station was all women before it went automated. During World War II, when the men went off to war, women ran this place.”

“World War II—that’s when women proved they’re equal, if not better,” said Lynn. “I wouldn’t have known if I hadn’t worked with so many women.”

The company promised there will be no layoffs. A six-week strike in 1995 ended with the layoff of 170 workers. “Everyone out on disability who was on the picket line got amnesty,” said Larry. “There is a lot of overtime and with long hours and shift work you’re going to get hurt, so there are a lot of people on disability.”

“In 1970 we had a good strike. Between 1,200 and 1,300 people worked for C&H then,” said Palacio. “They are running a little more production now than then but with one person doing a job that used to be done by four,” said Berry.

C&H agreed not to pursue disciplinary action against workers on disability or members who staffed picket lines, union officials said. Guards from C&H’s security contractor during the strike, Ohio-based PSS, filmed a rally in what workers said was preparation to fire strikers.

“They wanted to bust this union,” said John King, a union steward. “This isn’t the end of it. We’ll have to face it again in three years. Let’s stay united. We are the union.”  
 
 
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