While we celebrate our general good fortune in Local 853, we can’t forget to think about our sisters and brothers who are still fighting for dignity at their place of work.

Many of our members have never had to spend one day on strike or take any other action to obtain the wages and benefits they enjoy, which is a good thing.

 

But those of us who have been on long strikes, fired for union organizing or who have spent our free time leafletting and boycotting to make our point, feel passionately about these hard-fought gains. That is why we want to help those who are fighting to gain many of the things that we take for granted in our contracts.

Basic Vegetable Strike

Our sisters and brothers at Basic Vegetable in King City are entering their fifth month on strike against their employer. The company announced that they have permanently replaced workers -- many of whom worked at Basic for over 20 years -- because they will not return to what would amount to slave labor.

The company has proposed as much as a $4.00 per hour wage cut, large co-payments for the health plan, and the gutting of protective contract language.

Basic Vegetable is the major employer in the town. Because the strikers have maintained solidarity, the company must go as far as the Central Valley to recruit scabs.

Local 853 has vowed to support the strikers financially and any other way that can help. This struggle may not directly affect our members, but any loss for working people takes away from us all.

Overnite Trucking strike

The International Union began a nationwide strike and boycott of Overnite Trucking. This is the biggest undertaking of our union in many years. This strike is a direct result of the employer’s refusal to bargain in good faith with workers who voted to join the union.

Overnite has already spent more than $20 million to fend off the Union. Their tactics seem to be failing, as more of their employees begin to support the organizing efforts at their respective terminals.

If your company receives freight from Overnite and pickets are following the trucks, treat it like a picket line around the truck. You should refuse to unload the truck.

Tell your supervisor that if this situation occurs, you and your brothers and sisters will refuse to work the truck as long as the pickets are present. Explain that your company would do better to refuse the freight and have it redelivered by another trucking company.

Local 853 shipping and receiving clerks at several companies have already helped in this effort, costing Overnite Trucking many accounts. I am very proud of those of you who have taken a stand.

No contract at Right Away

We successfully organized this large nonunion Ready Mix company in May. Right Away competes against many of our unionized Ready Mix companies. We’ve had numerous negotiating meetings with management but progress in getting a contract has been very slow.

If we cannot reach an acceptable agreement soon, we will begin economic action against this company.

We'll need everyone's help, especially those of you working in the Construction Industry.

Good year, great expectations

1999 has been a good year for the vast majority of our members. Plentiful work, good contract settlements, and growth for our Local.

The New Year holds the promise of more to come. Our unity and strength will guarantee our continued success.

I wish you and your family Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!

Fraternally,
Rome A. Aloise, Secretary-Treasurer

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