"We have been getting a lot of support from the community for this strike. A lot of unions are marching with us," said Craig Kelly, a 23-year-old mill slitter from Olin's brass plant.

Among them were IAM members who work at Boeing in St. Louis, and members of the auto workers, Teamsters, electrical workers, and other unions. "I've worked at Olin two years and this is my first strike. Olin was hoping that the newer workers would vote for the contract. That's why they offered a signing bonus. But this didn't happen. Sixty percent of Olin's work force will be retiring soon. I started as a table packer making 70 percent of regular wage, or $10 an hour. Now they are hiring scabs making $17.00 an hour."

During the march many people came out of stores and houses to show their support as strikers chanted, "Brass and bullets is what we make, why won't Olin negotiate." Following the rally, hundreds gathered at the strike headquarters for food and solidarity.

Union officials announced the local region of the United Auto Workers (UAW) donated $13,000 to the strike fund in addition to contributions from unions and local businesses. At the rally, several representatives from the IAM and the UAW spoke. The local NAACP chapter was visible in its support at the march, as were area politicians, including the mayor of East Alton.

Barbara Baird, a cap operator in the Winchester Division, said "Olin has been walking all over us. I've been here 27 years. When I started, the daily product quota for plates in the primer department in the Winchester Division was 540 and now it is up to 1,500 a day. The biggest issue for me is the medical insurance. They would only guarantee the premium for one year of medical insurance, the rest was at their discretion."

In a visit to the strike headquarters December 30, Militant reporters spoke to Carole Frederick and Kathy Harvey, members of the Olin Strike Supporters. "A lot of family members, teenagers off from school, and other workers come by and say, 'I just want to show support for the union. Where do you need me?'" Frederick said. "We check our picket roster and find a spot for them to take a shift. Someone just came in yesterday and donated $20. A local restaurant, the Golden Corral, took hot food to the picket lines last night. Several restaurants have, including Kentucky Fried Chicken."

Frederick showed a list of eight places the pickets cover. Half of one of the long walls of the strike headquarters is covered with picket schedules and rosters. There is also a "Wall of Shame," which has photos and names of the few workers who have crossed the picket line, including union members who are working inside as "temporary foremen."

Striker Elvis Wiseman and his wife Ginny looked over the donated food on a table in the hall. "This table was completely full of loaves of bread donated by Bunny Bread yesterday," Elvis remarked. Ginny added, "I work as a teacher, so we aren't as bad off as some strikers--although I've lost pay from snow days, being sick, and the holidays. We still can't get over the company canceling the children's Christmas party two weeks ago, after the workers had donated money to the Westerner Club to hold it. The company canceled health insurance at the beginning of December even though we paid for the whole month."

The strikers proudly pointed out their new web site for their strike: http://olin-strike.com. The first negotiations since the beginning of the strike have been set for January 9.

Alyson Kennedy and Martha Ressler are sewing machine operators and members of UNITE in St. Louis.  
 
 
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