Contact: Ben Lilienfeld: 832-556-0370, blilienfeld@usw.org
GREGORY, Texas (September 18) – The United Steelworkers (USW) released the following statement from USW District 13 Sub-District Director Ben Lilienfeld on the union’s continuing efforts to reach a new contract agreement with Sherwin Alumina in Gregory, Texas:
“The 450 workers at Sherwin Alumina, members of USW Local 235A, are committed to making sure that this plant continues to provide good, family-supporting, middle-class jobs. Ultimately, a strong contract is good news not only for these hard-working men and women and their families, but for the larger community and the businesses that it supports.
“These negotiations have not been easy. The employer wants to freeze workers’ pensions, eliminate health care coverage for retirees, and significantly increase health care costs for active employees, among other regressive proposals. Taken as a whole, these changes would have a tremendously negative impact on the quality of life for the workers, their families and the Gregory and surrounding communities.
“Our goal throughout this process has been – and will continue to be – a fair and equitable contract that allows the company, its workers and their families all to thrive. With that goal in mind, we intend to keep working diligently to reach an agreement that is acceptable to all 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.
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