Locked out Griffin Pipe employees to receive benefits

[Omaha Steve]

I'm just a few miles away from ground zero. Anyone that would like to donate to the fund can contact me off list. Several people from this plant donated time to the Iowa caucus. I was among them.

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19300063&BRD=2703&PAG=461&dept_id=555106&rfi=6

Sunshine Dalton, Staff writer
02/15/2008

The 270 United Steelworker Local 3141 Union members who have been locked out of Griffin Pipe, 2601 Ninth Ave., since Jan. 27, hope to begin receiving benefits from the international organization next week.

The lockout was the result of failed contract negotiations, according to representatives of Griffin Pipe. The work agreement expired in November 2007, and the union rejected three proposals prior to the lockout.

Union President Scott Puteney said they have tried to arrange meetings to renegotiate, but they have not heard anything yet.

"There have been no calls from the company to set a date," Puteney said.

Griffin Pipe representatives did not return phone calls requesting information concerning negotiations.

Meanwhile, union members are posted outside the gates of the plant in protest, and the ousted workers are accepting contributions from the general public.

FULL story at link.