The gloom of continuous heavy rains hanging over the city could not deter nearly 100 spirited Meadowcraft strikers and their supporters who came to the 4:30 a.m. picket line September 4 in a show of strength. The action began week 10 of the strike. Meadowcraft is a producer of lawn furniture.

Workers walked out June 30 after rejecting a concessionary contract that would cut the hourly wage of welding department workers. Under the bosses' proposed "incentive" plan, welders would have to average 104 percent production in a workweek for an 88 cent raise. If they fall short, their hourly wage would drop from between $10–$12 hour to only $7–$8.

Members of United Steelworkers of America (USWA) Local 8285 called the mobilization after Meadowcraft bosses issued a letter to the strikers threatening to hire replacement workers.

According to strikers, the letter also encouraged any worker "harassed" by other unionists to call police or contact the company. Meadowcraft bosses ran a sizable employment ad in the Sunday issue of the Birmingham News, four days before the mass picket.

The ad says workers can make up to $13 an hour. Local 8285 members pointed out that the ad does not mention that a labor dispute is taking place, nor does it mention that to get $13 an hour a worker has to make the rate.

Workers held signs reading, "Don't be a scab!" and "No incentive." One Spanish sign read, "Please don't cross the line. What they want to pay us is very low. It's not fair. Support the people of Local 8285."

About two dozen workers have crossed the line. Their names are posted on a handmade billboard that sits on the picket line at the plant entrance.

Larry Hayes, grievance officer for Local 8285, told this reporter, "Today is particularly important because of the company letter and because production picks up after Labor Day."

July and August have usually been a slow period for the company. A layer of workers often get laid off and then called back after Labor Day. He continued, "Some people felt threatened by the letter and felt their jobs could be eliminated if they did not return to work. So we had to organize a big turn out."

A striker who asked that his name not be printed told the Militant, "The way the company is doing us, I'd rather see them go out of business than go back in there."  
 
 
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