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Vol. 71/No. 16      April 23, 2007

 
On the Picket Line
 
Metal workers in Illinois strike
for better wages and conditions
AURORA, Illinois—Some 50 metal workers here have been on strike since March 5 at Fox Valley Forge. The workers are demanding their first union contract, a dollar-an-hour wage increase, an end to piecework wages, and better treatment on the job. Most of the strikers have worked for years at Fox Valley and saw their real wages fall steadily as the bosses cut piecework rates. Many workers are from Morelios, Mexico. They organized themselves as the Movimiento Obrero 15 de Septiembre (September 15 Workers Movement), and in 2005 won recognition of their union, Boilermakers Local 1600. Residents from nearby neighborhoods and other workers frequently come to the picket line to show their support.

The bosses are threatening to replace strikers, who say they won’t return without a contract and better wages.

—Harvey McArthur

Toronto auto workers occupy plant
to demand severance pay
TORONTO—Workers from Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) Local 303 shut down production at the Collins & Aikman auto plant here March 30-April 2, demanding the bosses guarantee them previously committed severance pay. The plant is scheduled to close in July. About 100 workers occupied the plant with another 100 rallying outside. The shutdown ended after company officials told union negotiators that laid-off workers would get some severance payments.

The company, which manufactures automotive floor and acoustic systems, has laid off hundreds of workers since November. Out of a full production workforce of about 450 workers, 112 with the highest seniority are still employed to fulfill a contract with Chrysler. The company filed for bankruptcy in the United States in May 2005.

—Sandra Mitchell
 
 
Related articles:
Hundreds rally in Indiana in solidarity with miners’ strike
Report faults British Petroleum for 2005 Texas refinery explosion  
 
 
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