United Steelworkers Local 9176 members out of Toronto, Canada have been on strike for 19 months at Crown, Cork & Seal. These Steelworkers from local 9176 have been traveling from Toronto to Philadelphia to picket in front of Crown Headquarters located in Northeast Philly for well over a year.
Over the 19 months steelworkers from all over District 10 have embraced and supported our brothers & sisters including District 10 leadership. District 10 Director Bobby "Mac" McAuliffe along with District 10 Assistant Director Lew “Spike” Dopson attended many rallies on behalf of these brave men and women, they also encouraged locals in District 10 to show solidarity.
On Thursday April 9, 2015 USW Local 9176 members Rob DePippo, Cheryle Dollimore, Bob Lapcuk & Dave Elines accompanied USW Local 404 President Lindsay Patterson to Philadelphia City Council where they unanimously passed a resolution on behalf of the United Steelworkers International Union condemning Crown Holdings aka Crown, Cork & Seal for their unfair union busting tactics. Philadelphia city council passed this resolution urging the company to negotiate a fair contract and return all employees back to work. This was a really big day in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia City Council President Darrell Clarke also informed local 404 President Lindsay Patterson that a resolution against fast tract has been passed in council, another outstanding display of leadership in Philly.
The fight’s not over until our brothers & sisters are returned back to work and can provide for their families, these men & women have dedicated their lives to making Crown a world leader in the canning industry. This is just another example of corporate greed around the world, we are thankful that our elected officials in Philadelphia have taken a stand and we encourage other elected officials to stand with working families not just in Philadelphia and District 10 but all over the world.
