Here we sit today, looking at the struggles of negotiations between United Steelworkers and ASARCO LLC Copper Group (Grupo Mexico). District 12 Director Robert LaVenture and Sub-District Director Manny Armenta have led negotiations for the Copper Group.
The Copper Group include District 13’s Local 5613, five USW locals in Arizona, and various trade unions, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Jointers of America, the Plumbers-Pipefitters-Service Technicians-Sprinklefitters-Steamfitters Union, the International Union of Operating Engineers, the International Brotherhood of Boiler Makers, Iron Shipbuilders, Blacksmith, Forgers and Helpers, and the International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers.
All these Unions work hard to keep the production of copper flowing through the veins of ASARCO LLC (Grupo Mexico) that in turn, reported a net income of $1.7 billion in 2013! Union employees take pride in making some of the best copper in the world today.
The Union Bargaining Committee is comprised of bargaining leaders from each International union. The Unions all sit as one at the Bargaining table. It shows strength and solidarity and that We Are One, We Are Strong with our union brothers and leaders.
The struggles of a union leader are enormous from day one. We have to know how to communicate with bargaining unit employees and company personnel. Now the struggle begins as a challenge in how to resolve the matters. I can tell you that reaching a new contract with ASARCO is one of the biggest challenges the Copper Group has faced lately.
The struggles in our bargaining for a Fair Contract with the ASARCO LLC (Grupo Mexico) Company started with long weeks on end. First, we had an initial Sound Off meeting in June of last year. Later in June, we started with the local union contracts to resolve the needs of each Local contract Language.
The Struggle went forward with the Basic labor agreement, which covers all ASARCO locations. The Company’s proposal can only be characterized as an attempt to gut our current agreement. Needless to say, progress has been slow and spotty. Some days there would be significant movement, and some days we were frustrated because we knew more could be done if the Company wasn’t being so stubborn about its proposals. You have to remember that this is not a normal type negotiation.
Our Local 5613, just like the other union locals, made countless trips to the bargaining table. Our Local is located in Amarillo, TX, which is a long 11 to 13 hour drive to Tucson, AZ, where bargaining normally occurs. These long trips away from home were starting to chip away at the local’s funds. We mentioned the stress on our funds to our Staff Representative Freddie Sanchez and District Director Ruben Garza about our financial status. Director Garza suggested for us to come down and talk to the District 13 Council on our struggles with ASARCO/Grupo Mexico and to seek financial assistant. The trip was very successful thanks to District 13 and the generosity of our locals.
When I, Local 5613 President Randy Flowers, had the opportunity to speak to my USW brothers and sisters at the District 13 Council meeting on May 1, 2014, I started out by saying that being a United Steelworker leader from day one is all based on struggle. There is right and there is wrong. It’s our leadership’s duty to keep what is right, right and what to resolve and correct what is wrong for our members. Even the trip down to Gonzales, Louisiana, was a struggle. Adversity in the trip started when I-10 was closed to go across the bridge to get to Gonzales and it seemed like there would be no chance for me to speak on Saturday. But I reminded myself that as a Steelworker Leader I would resolve and find a way there. I found an alternate route made it to the hotel by 3 a.m. and woke up to attend the District 13 council at 7 a.m. I made the speech and there was resounding amount of applause. The Local Unions there were supportive and the financial support they have given my Local has been overwhelming. This financial support was very helpful in our endeavors to “Fight Back.” The response from my USW Brothers and Sisters at the District 13 Council Meeting, as well as the support we’ve received since reminds me of the saying we have on our ASARCO Copper Group Unity Shirt —which we all wear every Tuesday: on the front, SOLIDARITY , and on the back, WE ARE ONE- WE ARE STRONG. This is a Steelworker.
The fight is not over, we are still in negotiations, even though bargaining began over a year ago. We are not on strike, and our contract is still in effect. We are on a contract extension but either party may terminate the contract with 15 days’ notice.
Still, we won’t relent. Grupo Mexico is demanding major concessions from its 2,000 hourly production and maintenance workers. The struggle to even get through our basic-basic bargaining language in the BLA (Basic Labor Agreement) is a challenge.
And, as if Grupo Mexico’s treatment of its US workers wasn’t bad enough, this global mining conglomerate (based in Mexico) has a reputation for treating worker poorly. For example, at the Pasta de Conchos mine not far from Nueva Rosita, Coahuila, Mexico, workers of the Mexican Mineworkers Union went on strike 14 times over health and safety issues before a methane explosion killed 65 miners in 2006. After an investigation, only 2 miner bodies were recovered and the mine was sealed.
In 2011, at the copper mine in Cananea, Sonora, Mexico (just two hours away from the U.S.-Mexico border), Grupo Mexico enlisted the help of the Mexican government to bring in state police and local police to break a three-year strike. Local workers and their unions have been replaced. The community is feeling the effects.
I was told by Staff Representative Freddie Sanchez that you are a Steelworker in the morning when you wake up and you are Steelworker in the evening when you go to bed. Be Proud of who you are for representing the “United Steelworkers.”
On behalf of Local 5613, I again want to thank each and every Local that gave us financial support. We’re still in negotiations and still need to send bargaining committee members to Arizona for bargaining, so any additional donations are still welcome. Donations can be sent to:
USW Local 5613
4230 State HWY 136
Amarillo, TX 79108-7623
Randy Flowers, Local Union 5613 President