We’re just trying to get a fair shake with their insurance. These guys are standing really strong, and they’re sticking together. They’re not even asking for back pay. They just want to get back to work.
IVP-GL Dan Sulivan (far right) joins locked out L-1600 members on the picket line in Lockton, Illinois.
Boilermakers from Local 1600 (St. Charles, Illinois) have been on the picket line since just before Christmas after being locked out by Toyal America Inc. The 32 members were locked out after the company attempted to make drastic changes to health insurance premiums—without giving notice—just before negotiations. When the Boilermakers declined to accept the changes, the company locked them out.
Toyal America Inc., which makes aluminum paste for the federal government for Starlight and other projects, has two health insurance plans: a PPO plan grandfathered in as an option for those who have been employed prior to 2017, and a high-deductible plan for everyone else. The changes proposed would have raised the PPO premiums by 59% and raised the high-deductible premiums by 500%. Changes also would have reduced insurance coverage from a 90/10 split to 80/20 and doubled out-of-pocket expenses.
“We’re just trying to get a fair shake with their insurance,” says International Rep Miguel Fonseca.
IVP-Great Lakes Dan Sulivan says that with the lockout happening just before the holidays, it has been especially tough on the members and their families. They are currently receiving victimization benefits from the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers.
Since the lockout began, members have been on a picket line daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and plan to continue through January 15, when the company has finally agreed to meet with them.
“These guys are standing really strong, and they’re sticking together,” Fonseca says. “They’re not even asking for back pay. They just want to get back to work.”
He adds that local electricians, pipefitters and UPS drivers (Teamsters) are all supporting the locked-out workers, honoring the picket line.
Those who are in the area and want to join the picketing Boilermakers may do so from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 17401 Broadway St., Lockport, Illinois.
