Members of UAW Local 180 at CASE in Racine are entering their fourth week on strike. Frank Emspak has the story.
On May 2nd, workers at the CASE agricultural implement plant in Racine walked out. They knew it would be a tough strike. The last strike ended after three weeks and then the company imposed a 3 month lockout. Labor Radio spoke with Yasin Mahdi, President of the local . We asked him to describe the attitude of the workers.
TAPE: 7 seconds … – standing strong”
The company cut off payments for health insurance but the UAW is now paying the premiums. No negotiations are scheduled with the company. While parties did meet last week President Mahdi said the negotiations produced nothing and characterized the negotiations this way:
TAPE: 19 seconds .. motive was””
We asked Mahdi to describe the issues which motivated the strike.
TAPE ; 33 seconds… another big piece.
Aside from competitive wages, forced overtime and time off similar to other companies in the area. As regards wages the union is seeking parity with wages at the non-unionized CASE plants. Wages at CASE RACINE are five dollars and fifty cents lower than at the non union plants. Although this seems like a big step President Mahdi has a different view.
TAPE:14 seconds … it’s a no brainer”
At this point according to the union the company has not addressed any of the issues the union has raised. Mahdi summed things up this way:
TAPE 24 seconds … fair at all”
Local 180 asks that listeners use social media and contact CASE and indicate their support for the union. Just to put this strike in context. CNH Industrial reports solid first quarter performance with consolidated revenues of $4.6 billion, (up 13.4% compared to Q1 2021 for continuing operations) with net income of $336 million
Thanks to Yasin Mahdi for this interview.
Reporting Courtesy of Frank Emspak for Labor Radio
Image Courtesy of Clyde Robinson on Flickr