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California Union Workers Rally Around Locked-Out Employees

POSTED: 10:14 am PST February 25, 2010
UPDATED: 11:18 am PST February 25, 2010

From steel workers to teachers to dock workers, hundreds of union workers from all over the state came to Boron on Wednesday to show their support for the 600 men and women locked out from work, and the supporters didn’t come empty handed.

In a caravan that lasted for miles, the locked-out workers and supporters made their presence known outside the gates of Rio Tinto Borax.

Related
  • Borax Lock-Out Sends Families On Foot
  • Over 500 Employees Locked Out Of Business
  • Milo Powell who is locked out, said, “In the 37 years that I have been here, this is the most support I’ve seen within our union body, our community, all of the locals around, and it doesn’t get any better then this.”

    Leading the caravan were four big rigs filled with more than $30,000 worth of food for the locked-out workers and their families.

    ILWU spokesman Craig Merrilees said the food represents more than just groceries.

    “If they have a bag of groceries available every week it's important because there is food on the table for families, but it’s also important because it’s a reminder that you’re not alone and people care about what you’re doing," said Merrilees.

    And for the families who haven’t had a paycheck since the lockout began on Jan. 31, the groceries are a big help.

    Farrah Uribe's husband was locked out, and she said the last three weeks have been a struggle because unemployment has not kicked in.

    “That’s one less thing right now, but it’s just been really hard because bills, you know, piling up,” said Uribe.

    But even more appreciated is the support, something Mike Mendonca believes is crucial in negotiating a fair contract.

    “There are only 560 of us trying to negotiate, get a decent contract, from a multibillion-dollar company, so without organized labor support, I don’t think we could win,” said Mendonca.

    And union workers across the state are glad to help because while it is Boron today, it could be anyone of them tomorrow.

    Jim Norris with United Steelworkers Local 675 out of Carson, Calif. said, "As a union worker, it is true, an injury to one, is an injury to all. They start locking out workers here, if you don’t think it’s coming to you, be careful. They didn’t think it was coming to them either. Stand up for each other.”

    Currently, Rio Tinto Borax is looking to fill nearly 250 temporary jobs, there is no word when the company and ILWU Local 30 will return to the negotiatiing table. But union workers are hoping with all of the support, Rio Tinto will take notice.
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