CONTACT: R.J. Hufnagel, 412-562-2450, rhufnagel@usw.org
PITTSBURGH (December 12) – The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued a complaint against Resco Products Inc. of Tarentum, Pa., alleging that the company committed unfair labor practices by bargaining in bad faith with the USW and illegally implementing unilateral changes in terms and conditions of employment for union members.
The complaint comes in response to a series of charges the USW filed against Resco beginning in May.
The USW entered bargaining with Resco in February 2016 to replace the contract that expired in March. The two sides agreed to an extension of that agreement through April 5, after which the company illegally implemented the new conditions. The NLRB has scheduled a hearing on the complaint for March 1, 2017.
“Resco engaged in bargaining with no intention of ever reaching an agreement,” said USW Staff Representative Jim Woodward, who is leading negotiations for the union. “Instead, their plan has been to delay and stonewall the process. We’re glad that the NLRB has seen through the company’s tactics.”
USW Local 9445-03 represents about 60 workers at the plant, which produces heat-resistant bricks used to line ladles and furnaces at steel-making facilities.
Among the changes the company imposed was the elimination of the union-negotiated pension plan, a high deductible healthcare plan, major job combinations, deletion of overtime paid after 8 hours and a random drug-testing program.
“Our goal all along has been to bargain in good faith and reach a fair agreement,” said USW District 10 Director Bobby “Mac” McAuliffe.
“Unfortunately, the company had a different plan, which was to squeeze even more out of a hard-working group of employees. We’re hopeful that Resco will abandon this failed approach, return to the bargaining table and reach a deal that is fair to both sides.”
The USW is the largest industrial union in North America, representing workers in a range of industries including metals, mining, rubber, paper and forestry, oil refining, health care, security, hotels, and municipal governments and agencies.