When the contract expired a year ago the union agreed to extend it for 12 months. But on November 18, workers walked out under threats that the company would close the factory, said Hector Lopez, a striker. The 48 strikers are fighting for a wage increase and to defend their health care benefits. The company is demanding workers go another three years without a pay raise.

Roberto Rodriguez, a shop steward, said he also objected to the treatment by management of the majority Latino work force. USWA member John Murillo added that the company has not yet paid the yearly Christmas bonus workers are due.

Murillo said strikers have taken initiatives to win support for the struggle, such as organizing to get all the strikers to sign a letter explaining their fight to a local Spanish-language TV channel.

On December 30, six strikers joined the nearby picket line set up by Teamsters fighting for union recognition and a contract at Overnite trucking. Some 60 members of the Teamsters union turned out for an expanded picket line event featuring William Bradley, a Democratic party candidate for U.S. president.

After Bradley departed, 15 Teamsters, some of them on strike against Overnite in Long Island, New York, decided to car caravan to the steelworkers picket line to return the show of solidarity. Several members of the Union of Needletrades, Industrial, and Textile Employees from area garment shops and textile mills joined the picket line as well.

Jorge Ledesma is a member of the Union of Needletrades, Industrial, and Textile Employees.  
 
 
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