Vol. 74/No. 24 June 21, 2010
On May 23, 100 strikers and their supporters set off from the gate of the distribution center on a five-day march to the state Capitol in Boston, 60 miles away.
The warehouse distributes meat, dairy, and produce to the 176 Shaw's Supermarkets and Star Markets in New England. The grocery chain's parent company, Supervalu of St. Paul, Minnesota, is one of the largest grocery companies in the country.
“We cannot allow another union to go down,” Thomas Colon, a striking worker, told the Militant. “Their objective is to squeeze every last drop out of you. We’re not representing only ourselves. This is for my kids’ kids’ future.” Colon marched all five days.
Along the march expanded picket lines were set up in front of local Shaw’s grocery stores, with rallies in the evening. Churches and a synagogue put up strikers at night.
On May 26, Centro Presente!, an immigrant rights organization in Somerville, Massachusetts, welcomed the marchers, serving dinner to the 75 strikers and their supporters.
—Ted Leonard
Steelworkers in Mississippi
strike Omnova plant
HOUSTON—Workers at the Omnova Solutions Inc. plant in Columbus, Mississippi, walked out May 21 in their first strike in four decades. The workers, members of United Steelworkers Local 748-L, had voted 168 to 2 on May 15 to reject the company’s “final proposal.”
“They’re just asking for so many draconian steps backward in our contract,” Ronald Crowe, who has worked in the plant for 38 years, told the Columbus Commercial Dispatch. “I already make less now than I did when I was hired,” added striker Jerry Aldridge, an Omnova employee for 22 years.
Derek Sherrod, who has worked at the plant for more than two decades, said that the company is seeking job consolidation and massive job cuts.
The company is attempting to maintain production with managers, other salaried personnel, and some temporary workers.
Omnova produces commercial wall coverings, upholstery, and other products at nine plants in the United States, Europe, and Asia. Four of these plants are unionized.
According to the company Web site, Omnova employs about 2,300 people.
—Jacquie Henderson