Local 1968 workers stay strong during lockout

Members of UAW Local 1968 say they don’t mind working overtime, but they do mind mandatory overtime that keeps them on the job for 16 hours a day and away from their families.

“And if the company wants to change overtime, we have the right to sit down at the table to hear what the company has to say and decide as a union,” said Local 1968 President Bob Kahlbaugh.

‘Not one of our members has crossed the picket line.’

– Local 1968 President Bob Kahlbaugh

Instead, ESAB Welding and Cutting Products in Hanover, Pa., refused to negotiate, locked union members out and hired nonunion replacement workers.

The UAW filed unfair labor charges with the National Labor Relations Board and is awaiting a ruling.

The 260 members of Local 1968 began contract negotiations last fall, but talks stalled even with a federal mediator involved.

“The company just wouldn’t budge and wouldn’t explain their positions,” Kahlbaugh said.

“It looks like what we had was regressive negotiations. We believe the company just wanted to get the union out.”

Union members, Kahlbaugh said, “are doing everything we can to end this. We’re on the picket line 24 hours a day and doing our part to keep communications open with the company,” he added.

Kahlbaugh said though it’s been rough being away from their jobs, there is one word that sums up what holds this group together: solidarity.

“When we took a strike vote, we voted 100 percent to stand together. We came out together as a group and we’ll go back together as a group” he said.

“Not one of our members has crossed the picket line. We know the power of solidarity.”

Sandra Davis