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IBEW Rallies Support for Machinists’ Wisconsin Strike

December 29, 2011

While thousands of workers and their allies rallied in Wisconsin in February to support public workers challenging legislation that would restrict their rights to collectively bargain, a long line of speakers climbed the podium to warn that it was just a matter of time before similar confrontations would occur in the private sector.

In November, Manitowoc Cranes, a well-established and profitable company located 80 miles from Milwaukee on Lake Michigan that employs members of Green Bay Local 158, confirmed those warnings in a big way.

As its contract with Machinists Lodge 516 expired, the company, which manufactures some of the world’s most massive cranes, demanded a “freedom of choice” clause in a successor agreement that would allow workers to be exempt from paying union dues, but still benefit from a negotiated settlement.

The Machinists held that the clause was “plain and simple union busting” and would not contribute to the company’s financial health. The Machinists went out on strike.

Mike Valenta, a Local 158 steward who has worked as a journeyman wiremen at Manitowoc for 23 years, is one of many trades and clerical workers who are supporting the strikers while continuing to work in the plant. Nine IBEW members are working in the facility, but some of Valenta’s fellow trade workers, including five IBEW members, have been denied unemployment benefits under state law because they are off the job due to a strike.

The IBEW’s contract with Manitowoc Cranes expires in February and Valenta is concerned that, if negotiations aren’t resolved between the company and the Machinists, Brotherhood members could be facing a difficult negotiation.

So Valenta and his co-workers have been financially supporting those on layoff while attending rallies and helping the strikers. Says Valenta:

What is happening to the Machinists is the same thing that happened to teachers and county and city workers.  I have brothers-in-law and family members who are teachers and municipal workers. Governor Walker took away some of their benefits without negotiations by spreading the misconception that they don’t contribute to their pensions and medical coverage. If we keep letting [the attacks on collective bargaining] happen, the rich will get richer and the poor will get poorer.

In a show of solidarity, more than half of the trade workers still in the plant who were given a holiday ham by the company donated the gift to strikers.

On Dec. 10, a strike support rally was held outside the Manitowoc plant, attended by hundreds of workers from dozens of unions.  They included members of Local 158 and four other IBEW locals: Madison Local 159, Milwaukee Local 494, Appleton Local 577 and Milwaukee Local 715. Says Valenta:

I visited the Machinists’ strike headquarters after the rally and they had lots of food and money. But it won’t last long if they stay out. I am speaking with others in the plant about another food drive.

International President Edwin D. Hill says:

The Machinists’ strike at  Manitowoc Cranes and the current campaign to recall Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker are part of the same struggle to defend collective bargaining and stop the slide of our nation into an economy without a strong middle class.