BY MICHAEL PENNOCK AND JENNY BENTON
ST. PAUL, Minnesota - Members of Oil, Chemical, and Atomic Workers (OCAW) Local 6-418 who work at the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing (3M) plant in Cottage Grove, Minnesota, and members of Local 6-75 at 3M's St. Paul Tape Plant are currently working without a contract.

The Cottage Grove local voted September 5, by a margin of 60 - 40, to reject the proposed pact that covers both locals. This is the first time since the early 1970s that this local has rejected a contract. On September 7 the St. Paul local rejected the contract by a 92 - 8 margin.

Negotiations broke off in April because of the company's demand for mandatory overtime and refusal to discuss pensions. In response, workers at the Tape Plant observed a "Work Smart" week, during which the Tape Coatings and 6- Maker departments refused voluntary overtime. That weekend production was canceled due to a lack of staffing. The success of "Work Smart" boosted workers' morale and solidarity.

Negotiations resumed August 25. A proposed contract was presented to workers in both plants September 4. The company's offer was a raise for most production workers of 54 cents per hour for each of the three years, and 64 cents for most maintenance workers. This is a 3 percent raise for the first year and a decreasing percentage for the following years. Monthly medical and dental premiums were moderately increased.

One of the main reasons given by workers for rejecting the contract was the perception of an inadequate raise in pensions over an already inadequate plan. In addition, medical premiums for retirees would go up to $69 per retiree per month and another $69 per month for their spouse in 2001.

During the presentation of the contract at the ratification meeting at the Cottage Grove local, it was reported by the committee that this was 3M's "last and best offer." The one worker to speak in the discussion asserted that this was what UPS told the Teamsters during their bargaining talks, and look how the Teamsters won a better contract. Loud applause greeted his remarks.

In St. Paul signs were posted around the plant prior to the ratification vote reading "VOTE NO! What an insult!" These were quickly taken down by management. On the door of the high school where the ratification meeting was held, a sign was posted informing workers of Cottage Grove's rejection of the contract.

At 12:01 a.m. on September 8, workers no longer had a contract. St. Paul workers organized another "Work Smart" to last until negotiations resume. Midnight shift workers, generally the youngest and lowest seniority workers, took the lead.

By the second day, 100 percent were honoring the program. One worker explained, "If we don't sacrifice now, we'll never get a decent contract." A worker with more than 20 years seniority said, "I've never seen this kind of solidarity in all the years I've worked here."

Some workers in Cottage Grove have also taken up the "Work Smart" idea. In Building 15, site of a major chemical release in April, 25 of the 26 workers have vowed not to work voluntary overtime until a new contract is approved.

Negotiations have not resumed on October 6.

Jenny Benton is a member of OCAW local 6-75 in St. Paul and Michael Pennock is a member of local 6-418 in Cottage Grove.  
 
 
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