<html> <head> <meta HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=windows-1252"> <meta NAME="GENERATOR" CONTENT="Microsoft FrontPage 3.0"> <title>MSI Workers in Marietta Gain Tentative Labor Agreement</title> <meta NAME="Template" CONTENT="C:\PROGRAM FILES\MICROSOFT OFFICE\OFFICE\html.dot"> </head> <body LINK="#0000ff" VLINK="#800080" BGCOLOR="#ffffff"> <img src="../images/pressmast.gif" alt="pressmast.gif (5512 bytes)" WIDTH="580" HEIGHT="110"> <table CELLSPACING="0" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" WIDTH="600"> <tr> <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP">January 7, 1999</td> <td WIDTH="22%" VALIGN="TOP"></td> <td WIDTH="41%" VALIGN="TOP">For more information, contact:</td> </tr> <tr> <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP"></td> <td WIDTH="22%" VALIGN="TOP"></td> <td WIDTH="41%" VALIGN="TOP">USWA Communications Dept. 412-562-2442</td> </tr> <tr> <td WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</td> <td WIDTH="22%" VALIGN="TOP"></td> <td WIDTH="41%" VALIGN="TOP">Gary Cochran, USWA representative 740-865-3631</td> </tr> </table> MSI WORKERS IN MARIETTA GAIN TENTATIVE LABOR AGREEMENT, ENDING FOUR-YEAR ORGANIZING FIGHT; STEELWORKERS TERM MSI STRUGGLE A RALLYING CRY FOR LABOR LAW REFORM MARIETTA, OHIO - The United Steelworkers of America announced today that the negotiating committee for workers at Magnetic Specialty Inc. (MSI) will recommend approval of a first labor agreement with management. Pending ratification by MSI workers, the settlement will end a 22-month strike and four-year struggle for union recognition that has been a major rallying point for union workers in their fight to strengthen laws upholding the right to organize. Bessie Hager, an 11-year MSI employee, said, "We organized to let management know that we can't be pushed around anymore. Now we have our union, and we have our pride." The proposed three-year union contract will now be reviewed and voted upon by MSI's union members. It includes: wage increases of $1.30 per hour for all employees over the term of the contract, with some job classifications receiving more; improved benefits including family health care coverage, improved vacations, holidays, sick days; better pension compensation, a grievance procedure and other improvements in working conditions. The agreement provides for a union shop, and the reinstatement of 16 workers who were discharged during the strike. "Our people at MSI showed great courage and endurance in fighting to win union representation," said USWA Secretary Treasurer Leo Gerard, who is leading a major new organizing initiative by the Steelworkers. "It is a happy day for the working men and women who struggled so long for this victory." Gerard added, "The MSI campaign is a perfect example of why labor laws for organizing must be reformed. People who choose to exercise their right to organize a union should not have to face this kind of prolonged disruption of their lives." Workers at MSI began their campaign for Steelworkers representation when they met with organizers in the spring in 1995, formed an organizing committee and won an National Labor Relations Board-supervised election August 17, 1995 by a margin of almost two to one. MSI management was ordered three times by the NLRB to recognize and negotiate with the union, but little progress was made. When several union supporters were fired, workers at the plant voted to strike in order to obtain recognition of their union by management and defend co-workers. The strike began March 2, 1997. The company hired replacement workers and guards, and MSI workers faced many tense confrontations on the picket line. Workers throughout the region rallied to the cause of the MSI Steelworkers. On repeated occasions, thousands of union members and supporters from Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Michigan participated in rallies, marches and demonstrations in Marietta, a normally quiet college town on the banks of the Ohio River in southeast Ohio. More than $200,000 was raised for the MSI strikers through contributions by working people, local unions and other supporters. These donations supplemented the strike and defense fund established by United Steelworkers. The state and national AFL-CIO lent valuable assistance to the MSI Steelworkers, as did the national Jobs with Justice campaign. USWA representative Gary Cochran said supporters of the MSI workers donated food, clothing and even Christmas gifts for children. "It's unreal how people have rallied to support the MSI strikers," he said. MSI strikers kept up a vigorous pace of activities in Marietta, and across the region. Union billboard, radio and TV advertisements urged MSI managers to negotiate with the workers. Employees passed out handbills explaining their struggle at industry trade shows, public events and at the plants of MSI's major customers. The Steelworkers also successfully lobbied the Marietta city council to pass a resolution calling for a just end to the labor dispute. "Our union made it clear to management that we'll challenge union-busting no matter how long it takes," said Cochran. Katherine Ward, an MSI worker and co-chair of the strike committee, said "It's been a long fight, but it's made us appreciate our union even more." ### <hr> <a href="msi_main.html">Return to MSI Index Page</a> <a href="../index.htm" target="_top">HOME</a> | <a target="_top" href="../frameset_organize.html">ORGANIZE</a> | <a href="../frameset_news.html" target="_top">NEWS</a> | <a href="../frameset_Services.html" target="_top">SERVICES</a> | <a href="../frameset_map.html" target="_top">MAP</a> | <a href="../frameset_rapid.html" target="_top">RAPID RESPONSE</a> | <a href="../frameset_help.html">HELP</a> | <a href="../frameset_feedback.html" target="_top">FEEDBACK</a> </body> </html>