HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WCHS) — The Special Metals strike is now closing in on day 150. On Friday, the United Steelworkers Local 40 Union held a meeting that lasted two hours.þþThe meeting was not open to the public, but members told Eyewitness News that the focus of the meeting was staying unified while union representatives wait to return to the table with Special Metals.þþIn their first meeting in three months, United Steelworkers Local 40 member Fran Barker said the group talked at length about the strike, getting updates on where things stand and hearing members' concerns.þþBarker said at this point there is no deal on the table to vote on. She said many workers have turned to other part time and full time jobs, but the main thing they wanted to stress on Friday night was showing unity by helping at union hall and on the picket lines.þþ“It will help if we can get the company to sit down with us and actually sit, not walk out,ÿ Barker said. ÿNot throw a piece of paper down and say 'this is all we’re doing,' and leave. Literally stay and fight. Both sides fight. Don’t leave the room until it’s settled.”þþThe 450-member union went on strike in October over contract negotiations and remain at odds with the company over matters such as health care.þþBarker said the mediator will reach out to the company to schedule a return to the table, but at this time, no new negotiating dates have been set.
Source: wchstv.com
