Impasse leads to lock out at Kongsberg Automotive in Ohio

[Omaha Steve]

http://timesbulletin.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=146349&TM=4495.211

4/3/2008 1:11:00 AM

BY KIRK DOUGAL

Times Bulletin Editor

[e-mail] & ED GEBERT  Times Bulletin News Writer [e-mail]

An expectant hush fell over the crowd as the United Steel Workers representatives conferred at the front table, most people in the standing room only crowd craning their necks to see what happened. The announcement was made and a huge round of applause erupted.


United Steel Workers union members from Kongsberg Automotive mill around after voting down the offered labor contract and awaiting word on a possible lock out by the company.


By a vote of 303-9, the union employees of Kongsberg Automotive Holding refused to ratify the company's labor contract. After several weeks of negotiations, the contract had been offered to the union representatives last Friday. Yesterday Aaron Collins, the president of the local United Steel Workers chapter, was told by company officials that if the contract was not ratified by 10 p.m. Wednesday, the workers would be locked out of the facility.

After the final tally of votes, union representatives let Kongsberg management know the decision of the employees. Within 20 minutes, a telephone call had been received saying that the lockout would take place when the third shift employees attempted to report to work on Wednesday.


A homemade sign made an appearance on the picket line Wednesday.


"It was something that needed to be done," said Pat Hoersten, an employee who had started with Teleflex before its recent purchase by Kongsberg.

Hoersten's sentiments were echoed throughout the crowd of employees. Most told stories of cleaning out their lockers before leaving work on Tuesday. Some wore big smiles while others continually flashed thumbs-up as a sign of solidarity.

"We were willing to continue under the old contract while we kept on (with) negotiations," said Collins. "But they (Kongsberg) decided to go ahead with what they said they'd do."


FULL story at link.