HUNTINTON, W.Va. (WCHS) — Local union members from across the Tri-State joined the 450 workers on strike at Special Metals on Saturday to rally and show support. The Special Metals workers are now on day 114 of their strike.þþAlthough temperatures were in the frigid lows, workers like Jason Black, a member of the United Steelworkers Local 40, said having extra support on Saturday had spirits high.þþ“It means everything to have our brothers from the railroad with us rallying,” Black said. “Any support we can get, we will take. We need it right now.”þþThe Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters has a local union representing railroad workers.þþMatt Weaver, the director of internal organizing with BMWED, said union representatives came out to help the workers at Special Metals in their fight for a fair contract. He said they are negotiating now, and their company is also owned by Warren Buffet like Special Metals.þþ“When I heard that Warren Buffet owns this company, he said he didn’t want to get involved in this issue,” Weaver said. “Warren Buffet owns BNSF railroad, so he’s playing Monopoly with all of our lives, with our families. ÿþþAs union participation goes down nationwide, Weaver said now more than ever unions have to stand up for one another.þþ“The union membership used to be as high as a third of all Americans. A third of America was organized, and now we’re down to in the private sector like 6%. I think that as you see union numbers coming down, the rich people are getting richer, and the working class is just standing still or getting worse for us,ÿ Weaver said.þþThe United Steelworkers Local 40 and Special Metals have gone to the negotiating table several times.þþRecently, Special Metals presented the union a contract that was turned down by the negotiating committee as they still can’t come to agreements on things such as health care costs. There have been no new dates set for further sessions.þþ“We’re ready. We’re ready to go back to work,ÿ Black said. ÿJust meet with us, and let’s get this over with and end this thing.ÿþþA spokesperson for Special Metals has not returned a request for comment.
Source: wchstv.com
