BY CAPPY KIDD
PEORIA, Illinois - Supported by striking coal miners and
members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
who handle the downstream power distribution, 75 power plant
operators picketed the headquarters of the Central Illinois
Lighting Co. (CILCO) here October 16.
Local 8 of the National Conference of Firemen and Oilers called the picket to protest the company's delays in reaching a contract agreement. The union members have been working without a contract since July 1, 1998. "Safety and working conditions are the key unresolved issues," Tom Pinkhan told the Militant. Pinkhan is the recording secretary of Local 8.
"We have had over 50 retirements in the last period, but the company hasn't replaced these workers. Electric power generation is a 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year operation. CILCO is attempting to force the remaining 200 workers to maintain the operations formerly carried out by 250 people," Pinkhan added.
CILCO is demanding that it be able to combine the job classifications that currently consist of welders, electricians, instrument technicians, and boiler operators.
"Moving people into jobs they are not trained for creates a safety hazard," said Pinkhan. "When you are in a place as dangerous and volatile as a coal-fired power plant you don't want to take any unnecessary risks."
One of the most popular chants on the picket line was "No to multitasking."
"I'm here because these people are my union brothers and sisters," striking coal miner Frank Hasquin told the Militant. Hasquin is a member of United Mine Workers of America Local 1969, currently on strike against Freeman United Coal, normally the main supplier of coal to CILCO.
Several members of the Rapid Tactical Response Team of United Auto Workers members from Caterpillar also joined the picket line.
Cappy Kidd is a member of the United Auto Workers.