—ON THE PICKET LINE—

Maggie Trowe, Editor

 

‘Make our wages super-sized,’ say Florida McDonald’s workers

TAMPA, Fla. — Chanting and holding placards reading “Not lovin’ getting burned by McDonald’s,” some 80 people rallied here March 18 at a McDonald’s restaurant across the street from Busch Gardens, a popular amusement park, as part of the Fight for $15.

Participants included McDonald’s and other fast-food workers, many of them members of Florida Fight for $15; members of OUR Walmart, a group of current and former Walmart workers fighting for a union at the retail giant; health care workers; adjunct professors; and members of the United Steelworkers, and United Food and Commercial Workers, and other unionists.

Some people attended a class before the event and a forum afterwards hosted by Florida Fight for $15.

Following the event, in which one chant was “Make our wages super-sized,” a lively discussion ensued among several participants on the march. One worker pointed out that $15 an hour should not be considered ‘super-sized’ wages, but rather the minimum that workers’ time, risk and effort were worth.

The Florida Fight for $15 movement is building participation in the April 15 nationwide day of actions.

—Daniel Alvarado

Striking Mauritanian miners face government repression

Thousands of striking iron ore miners in the West African country of Mauritania face increased repression and threats from the government and mining bosses as their strike enters its third month.

The country’s six largest union confederations have called for a two-hour strike April 9 in support of the embattled miners by workers in three regions of the country.

On March 26 President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz demanded the strikers return to work, saying last year’s agreement between the unions and the National Industrial and Mining Company (SNIM) guaranteeing substantial wage increases can no longer be honored because of the sharp drop in iron ore prices. “If the workers’ demands are satisfied,” he said, “then SNIM would have to close down.”

Respecting last year’s agreement is the principal demand of the strikers.

Iron ore is Mauritania’s largest export. SNIM, which also runs the country’s only railroad, is 70 percent government-owned.

No iron ore has been transported since the rail workers joined the striking miners.

The miners in Zouérate went on strike Jan. 30. They were joined by other miners, rail workers and dockworkers in the port town of Nouadhibou one month later. The General Confederation of Mauritanian Workers (CGTM), the principal union in the mines, reported March 25 that 3,786 miners out of 4,500 were on strike in Zouérate, as well as 1,356 out of 1,600 in Nouadhibou.

SNIM management has announced it will hire 150 strikebreakers to start up production.

The deputy military commander of the Zouérate region has told strikers to get off the streets and stop demonstrating “or I will fire on you, as I have been authorized to use live ammunition on demonstrators.”

—Nat London

Locked-out British Columbia rail workers win support

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — “Morale is still quite high,” locomotive engineer Craig Graham told the Militant March 26 while picketing Southern Railway of British Columbia. “We get visited frequently by members of our union, airline attendants, teachers, municipal workers and others.” The 126 members of Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 7000 were locked out Jan. 5.

Southern Railway, which operates short-haul service over 60 miles of track, is operating with management personnel, but picketing continues to have an impact. Many unionized workers refuse to cross the picket lines. “One rail car equals four tractor trailers,” Graham said. “The additional costs are having a big effect” on Southern’s customers.

Safety remains a key issue. Conductor Aaron Cruikshank told the Militant that the company’s goal is to reduce train crews from three to two by taking away the union-won “two-man crew premium” that forces the company to pay more if they reduce crew size.

“Two-man crews have to do the work of three,” the picket captain said. “It adds to fatigue, especially on long shifts. Accidents are most likely to happen when guys are tired. And we carry toxic materials through residential neighborhoods.” The drive of rail bosses towards smaller crews across North America is “extremely dangerous,” he said.

Southern Railway’s office workers, members of Canadian Office and Professional Employees, are out in support. “This is our fight too. We’re all part of the picketing,” office worker Barb Ingram told the Militant.

—Mike Barker and Steve Penner

Bay Area forge workers push back takeaway demands

BERKELEY, Calif. — Workers at the big Pacific Steel Casting forge here pushed back company takeaway demands with a one-week strike March 23-29.

One of the key issues for members of Glass, Molders, Pottery, Plastics and Allied Workers Local 164B was a company demand to institute four 10-hour days, which would wipe out overtime pay after eight hours.

“This is a safety issue,” said Juan Lozana, 49, who has worked at this forge for 29 years. “The 10-hour shifts are too long, especially if you are a grinder, welder or operate heavy machinery.”

Working with molten metal at high temperatures, the workers produce parts for trucks, bridges and oil refineries. The job involves heavy lifting and repetitive motion, leading to a high rate of carpal tunnel and other injuries.

Pedro Velasquez, a worker on the union negotiating committee, told the Militant about his concerns with the attendance program. “They don’t respect a doctor’s note,” he said. “If you are sick, or have a sick child, they still give you a point. After seven points you are fired.”

On March 29, workers voted 145 to 100 to accept a new contract that officials reported keeps the eight-hour day work schedule and includes company acceptance of at least two doctors’ notes a year. It also includes a $1.50 raise over four years.

“I’m unhappy with what we got in wages,” said Alfonso Padilla, who has worked in the plant for 15 years. “But it was worth going on strike. To stay out longer would have been difficult.”

No one crossed the picket line despite company moves to hire strikebreakers.

When the company tried to ship products from the plant and nearby warehouses, workers picketed the entrances.

At one point when a truck appeared at the plant, Padilla said, “We called workers who lived nearby to reinforce us. A lot of people showed up and blocked the road. So the truck turned around.” In the case of a second warehouse, the company called in cops, who allowed the truck to go in.

—Betsey Stone