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About Northwest labor press. (Portland , Ore.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (May 4, 2012)
Steelworkers end strike at Cascade Steel; talks continue Union election results in new leadership at Local 8378 McMINNVILLE — United Steel- workers (USW) ended its strike at Cas- cade Steel Rolling Mills April 20, but there’s still no agreement on a new union contract. About 300 members of USW Local 8378 took part in the strike, which lasted 12 days. The mill was shut down when workers walked of the job, and re- mained out of operation during the strike. Cascade, located in McMin- nville, Oregon, is a subsidiary of Port- ...UO faculty (Turn to Page 1) not oppose the organization effort nor did we support it. We simply recog- nized the rights of those who chose this route.” Berdahl continued that “within that process, we wanted to insure the pro- posed bargaining unit was appropriate. That is why we worked with the union leadership to make certain that the bar- gaining unit is defined early on. We now have certainty and we can move forward.” land-based Schnitzer Steel Industries. USW national spokesperson Tony Montana said returning to work was a strategic decision based on the potential consequences to members of remaining on strike. After talking with lawyers for the na- tional union, the bargaining committee made an unconditional offer to return to work at 11:30 a.m. Friday, April 20. But Cascade told most employees not to come back to work until the following Monday, and the company waited until then to restart the mill. As a result, 20 to 50 workers may lose their family health insurance coverage for the month of May, because they will not have worked the required minimum 84 hours in April. The two sides’ most recent labor agreement expired April 1. Officially, the strike was in protest of alleged labor law violations, including a refusal by the company to bargain in good faith. The National Labor Relations Board is still investigating the violations. In the meantime, USW says some progress has been made in contract talks. The two sides met April 25, and will next meet on May 7 at the Portland of- fices of the Federal Mediation and Con- ciliation Service. The strike’s end came three days af- ter Local 8378’s internal union officer election, in which two-term incumbent president Joe Munger lost to challenger Ed Rush; the tally was 108 to 130. Munger’s term ends May 15, at which point he plans to return to his job as a crane operator at the mill. Munger said he expects to remain active in the union, as well as the Marion, Polk, Yamhill Central Labor Council and the Oregon AFL-CIO. In other results, Robert Smith outpolled incumbent Monte Hansen to win election as vice presi- dent; Joe Ybarguen was elected record- ing secretary; Jim Blue, financial secre- tary; and Scott Henning, treasurer. The five top officers make up the local’s Ex- Teamsters Dental Center 1890 NE 162nd Ave. Portland, OR ecutive Board. All terms of office are three years. Of the local’s elected of- fices, president is the only full-time paid position. USW is planning a rally at the com- pany’s Portland headquarters on May 11 at 10 a.m. You don’t have to be a Teamster to enjoy the benefits of our dentists 503-257-9836 WE OFFER A COMPLETE RANGE OF QUALITY SERVICES WITH LITTLE OR NO OUT OF POCKET COSTS TO YOU *: PHOTOSTOCK • Comprehensive Exam and Diagnosis • Tooth-Colored Fillings • Porcelain Veneers • Crown & Bridge • Dentures & Partials • Root Canal Therapy • Invisialign • Implants • Oral Surgery, IV & Oral Sedation • Cosmetic Dentistry • Complimentary Second Opinion * Depending on your insurance plan $100 credit towards any dental procedure (Limit one per person) MAY 4, 2012 Expires 5/31/2012 11103 SE Main St., Suite B, Milwaukie 503-654-0613 9 Monroe Parkway, Suite C Lake Oswego 503-635-3431 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS serving you at four additional locations 8070 SW Hall Blvd. Beaverton 503-644-1110 570 SE Baseline Rd. Hillsboro 503-844-0777 PAGE 3
