Locked-out Steelworkers return to work

By Martha Grevatt
Findlay, Ohio

On Nov. 28, Cooper Tire & Rubber Company locked out 1,051 members of United Steelworkers Local 207L, who were working at the company’s plant in Findlay, Ohio. Workers found themselves out in the cold that day, less than a month after their previous contract expired and the union refused to agree to management’s final offer.

This week the workers are beginning to return to work after ratifying a five-year contract on Feb. 28 that turns back some of Cooper’s most egregious demands. However, the company did win some concessions from the workers. One-third of the 948 Steelworkers who voted on the contract voted “no.”

Cooper forced to back down on five-tier pay scale

One of the key issues that led to the impasse between the union and management was a two-tier pay scale. Under the previous agreement, workers hired in 2009 and after could only make 80 percent of the hourly rate of higher seniority workers. Compared to recently ratified contracts between the United Auto Workers and Detroit auto companies that have second-tier pay capped at roughly two-thirds of the “traditional” rate, 80 percent is relatively high. In lower-paying departments, however, the lower rate is not much more than $11 an hour.

The Steelworkers wanted to eliminate two-tier pay altogether, while Cooper bosses wanted a five-tier pay structure. The result is that lower-paid workers will now get raises bringing them up to 85 percent of the higher rate. However, following the regressive pattern set by UAW contracts, second-tier workers will not receive a defined benefit pension plan, but will instead have 401(k) accounts.

A company demand to reevaluate classifications and “adjust” — meaning lower — overall pay rates was defeated, but workers will pay more for health insurance. Cost-of-living bonuses will be paid each year of the five-year contract.

No one, not even Local 207L President Rodney Nelson, is cheering the agreement. “We did the very best we could,” he said. (Toledo Blade, Feb. 28) Linda Jones was one of the workers who voted “no.” Jones, with 34 years at Cooper, explained, “It hurts the young people. You gotta stand up for what’s right for everybody; it’s just not about you.” (In These Times, Feb. 29)

Jones was participating in the Journey for Justice tour, along with workers locked out by Crystal Sugar in North Dakota, when she heard about the settlement. The tour, which began in Fargo, N.D., was originally scheduled to arrive in Findlay for a “hands around the plant” solidarity action Feb. 27.

Journey for Justice is the latest example of a movement that was growing in support of the locked-out Steelworkers. A December rally in Findlay drew thousands from around Ohio and neighboring states. Support actions were held outside 125 Cooper dealerships around the U.S. on Jan. 14, and thousands of union members signed e-petitions demanding Cooper end the lockout.

Cooper Tire workers in Serbia and other countries sent solidarity messages in the first weeks of the dispute. Local 207L members traveled to Serbia to meet with their counterparts.

All this pressure helped to force the company to improve its earlier “final” offer and give up on the outrageous proposal for five tiers of pay.