Olin makes strips of metal alloy that are used in coins, faucets, floppy discs, and other items. They also make small caliber sporting ammunition.

Picket lines were set up after members of International Association of Machinists (IAM) Local 660 rejected the company's contract offer by a 2-1 ratio at a December 3 union meeting attended by some 2,000 workers. They then voted better than 3-1 to go on strike. Four other unions representing 450 workers at Olin voted to accept the contract but are refusing to cross the picket lines. Local 660 is part of District 9 of the IAM.

On the picket line on a bitterly cold first night of the strike, a big pile of neatly stacked firewood, as well as hot coffee and food stuffs, and constantly honking horns of passing vehicles, were evidence of local support for the strike. Workers walking the picket line told the Militant that one of the key issues is elimination of the two-tier wage scheme. Olin has hired 500 new workers in the last two years who make 70 percent of the top wage in the first year. It takes two years to make the regular rate. The company proposed increasing this to 80 percent the first year, which was rejected by the union membership.

"Every contract we've been giving back Olin more--cost of living, holidays, two tier. In this proposal Olin gave us back a little more, but not enough," said striker Darrell Belcher who has worked at Olin for 28 years. "They did not raise pensions enough. The last contract was for five years. Before that, we had three-year contracts. We are asking for a three-and-a-half year contract this time."

The unionists are also demanding a 5 percent wage increase each year. The company wants to raise the deductibles and other out-of-pocket expenses on medical insurance. The pensions currently contain four step increments. "If you work for the company 35 years, then you should get the same pension, regardless of your salary," said Robert Soutier, a Machinists union business representative.

Vickey Cannedy, a machinist laborer for 10 years at Olin, told The Telegraph of Alton, "We were offered a $1,000 sign-on bonus, a 4 percent raise the first year and 3.5 percent over the next four. But with the high deductible and the new premium cost, our raises will be disposed of in four years. We need the cost of living back, because prices keep going up."

The company claims that 1,000 management and nonunion personnel are keeping the plant running. Workers said they saw bosses going into the plant with luggage on Sunday night. Olin has begun hiring replacement workers. An ad appearing in The Telegraph on December 3 said, "Temporary people hired now will have first consideration for employment when vacancies occur after normal employment resumes." It offered a pay rate of $17 an hour. The average hourly worker had been making $16.62, not including benefits.

Within hours of the December 3 strike vote recent job applicants reported receiving phone calls asking them to cross the picket line and come to work. Olin set up a "Temporary Hiring Center" in a strip mall in East Alton. Applicants take a drug test, with results reported in 15 minutes, and are given a pair of work boots. The company says it plans to hire 200 scabs a week until they get up to 1,400. A union picket line has been set up outside this center.

One striker, who did not give his name, reported to pickets outside the caster gate that as many as two dozen applicants had been turned away from the hiring office the previous day, and one youth came back from his home to return boots the company had issued. He reportedly told strikers: "I looked at the boots. I thought about what you said, and I decided it just wasn't right." Company officials assert that scabs will be given preference for any new hiring after the strike.

Meanwhile, the union has kicked off a fund and a toy and food drive that in just one day received commitments for thousands of toys and more than $70,000 in cash. "The community response has been overwhelming," unionist Ellen Arbogast told the St. Louis Post Dispatch. Workers from area restaurants "are stopping by the picket lines and bringing soup, coffee, donuts and offering help. It seems to be coming from all over."

The last strike at this plant was in December 1977, when members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and pipe fitters were out for 79 days. Members of the IAM honored the picket lines. The IAM last struck Olin in 1965.

Alyson Kennedy and Martha Ressler are sewing machine operators and members of the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees Local 254-C in St. Louis. Jay Ressler contributed to this article.  
 
 
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