Lodge struggles with legal fees, other costs
MEMBERS OF LOCAL 726 (Owensboro, Ky.) began returning to work Sept. 30, ending their eight-week strike against Daramic, a manufacturer of battery separators. Union employees agreed to work under the old contract, which expired in April, for a period of 18 months. In the meantime, negotiations for a new contract will resume.
The 165-member lodge struck Aug. 6 after five months of negotiations hung up over vague company proposals to consolidate jobs and alter seniority rights. Local 726 President Jeff Campbell said his members are concerned that the proposals could be harmful to older workers — and could be an attempt to “weed out employees.” Intl. Rep David Lawrence said, “These members have concerns about how cross-training will affect safety. They are concerned also that those who are not eligible for cross-training will be laid off.”
Intl. Pres. Newton B. Jones has authorized Local 726 to request support from other Boilermaker locals to help defray legal fees and other expenses incurred during the strike. Local lodge or individual contributions may be made to the Local 726 Strike Relief Fund, Attn: Larry Sims, L-726 Sec.-Treas., 1115 Mapleleaf Ct., Owensboro, KY 42301.
