PITTSBURGH — After fruitless attempts to negotiate with bosses at the Heidelberg Materials plant here and harassment of union supporters, the 11 concrete ready-mix drivers, members of Teamsters Local 249, went on strike July 7.
The ink was barely dry on the picket signs when the company filed for an injunction against the union, claiming that the peaceful picketing in front of the plant amounted to a “seizure of property,” Local 249 Vice President Keith Frank told the Militant. This would allow the courts to limit picketing. The company has also posted openings for 13 driver jobs, describing them as nonunion positions.
Frank told the Militant that there are several issues involved in the strike. First, drivers’ pay here is significantly lower than comparable jobs in the industry, while the bosses are making record profits. Heidelberg is a multinational manufacturer of cement, aggregates and ready-mix concrete, one of the five largest in the North American market. Its North American division made a record $3.9 billion profit last year.
Frank, and several drivers with him, said the company’s proposed contract — in addition to its low-ball wage offer — aims to weaken seniority provisions, weaken workers’ protection against disciplinary action, and allow bosses to install inward facing cameras to film drivers, looking for disciplinary infractions.
Unionists from other Teamsters locals and other unions are joining the drivers’ picket line. When the Allegheny/Fayette Central Labor Council called for unions to come out July 13, an enthusiastic crowd assembled.
John Galuska, president of the council, pointed to the breadth of the unions on the picket line saying, “We have the Amalgamated Transit Union, IBEW electrical workers, teachers, ironworkers, UNITE HERE, firefighters, letter carriers and other postal workers.”
This Militant correspondent also met Teamsters UPS drivers, grocery store drivers in the United Food and Commercial Workers union and a Teamster driver who moves equipment for film crews shooting in the area.
“What this company is doing is a travesty,” Galuska said, “There are about 100,000 union members in Allegheny County. We can’t let company actions like this continue.”
Driver Matthew Cooper said, “This is part of the battle by the bosses against all the unions.”