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Mittal Steel's Burns Harbor, Ind., Steelworkers Can't Cross Union Picket Line

Posted on: Wednesday, 21 September 2005, 00:00 CDT

Sep. 20--BURNS HARBOR -- Mittal Steel USA Inc.'s Burns Harbor steelworkers can honk their car horns, donate food and give verbal support to their union brothers who are on strike and picketing two contractors working at their plant.

But they can't honor the Operating Engineers' picket line at the plant's West Gate at the Port of Indiana, or the Teamsters' picket line at the plant's main gate.

Steelworkers are unhappy and uneasy about the situation, but the United Steelworkers' labor agreement has a "no-strike clause" that prohibits them from refusing to cross other unions' picket lines, according to union officials.

"We typically support other unions with information and other forms of aid, but under the steel contract we have a no-strike agreement and can't honor picket lines," Jim Robinson, USW District 7 director, said when Operating Engineers Local 150 went on strike against the Levy Co. in mid-August.

On Monday, Robinson said a lot of steelworkers are frustrated by current circumstances.

"We do everything to support our fellow union brothers, but the basic steel contracts -- for as long as I'm aware of -- contained a no-strike agreement, which is interpreted to mean we can't honor picket lines," Robinson said. "None of us has a choice. I join in the frustration."

Local 150 members are on strike against Levy, a contractor that performs slag processing and metal reclaiming at the Burns Harbor plant, claiming the company has engaged in unfair labor practices. Levy, which denies the allegations, employs about 115 workers at the plant. The majority are union members who have been replaced with nonunion temporary workers.

On Sept. 9, about 100 members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 142 employed by Houston-based Phillip Service Corp. went on strike to protest the pension and salary package in the company's final offer for a new three-year agreement. PSC Metals supplies scrap metal to the plant.

After that strike began, USW Local 6787 grievance chairman Frank Ripley issued a statement to his members.

"We've had a lot of complaints from our members because they have to cross Local 142's picket line," he stated. "We have a no-strike clause in our contract. But there is nothing that prevents us from supporting the strikers by stopping in to visit, make donations, or whatever else comes to mind. We can't participate in the strike, though."

Discussing the strike against PSC, Local 6787 President Paul Gipson has said it is the union's position is to adhere to any and all federal or state laws regarding the strike.

"We have informed Mittal Steel's upper management to not assign any Local 6787 members to perform any jobs performed prior to the strike by Local 142 Teamster members," he states in correspondence to his members. "We will continue to support the strike effort until an acceptable agreement is reached by both parties."

He has asked his members to honk their horns when driving in and out of the plant.

"Show your support by voicing your opinion within and out of the workplace," he advised. "We will continue to work behind the scenes, endeavoring to find an acceptable conclusion."

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To see more of The Times, Munster, Ind., or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.nwitimes.com.

Copyright (c) 2005, The Times, Munster, Ind.

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MT, PSCX,

Source: The Times

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