Columbia Ford moves to replace strikers
Thursday, June 28, 2007 6:43 AM PDT
By Evan Caldwell
Printable version
E-mail this articleColumbia Ford Chrysler Hyundai is seeking replacement workers nine days after members of the Teamsters and Machinists unions went on strike at the Longview car dealership.
Union representatives and Pat Sari, president and general manager of the dealership, said Wednesday no negotiations are planned and little bargaining has taken place since the strike began June 18.
The 31 union workers from parts and lube departments and mechanics went on strike over health benefits after monthlong contract talks ended May 30. Their contract expired May 31.
Sari said the company has received a few phone calls and resumes so far in response to a Wednesday newspaper ad seeking replacement workers.
"We are accepting applications to see who might be available at some point," he said. "We need to start servicing cars again."
"Good luck. Our guys have skills, some are Ford-certified, and they are not just guys to can replace," said Brian King, Teamsters Local 58 business agent. "With the parts technician job, someone just can step in there. But (Sari) has that right."
The unions oppose the dealership's plan to increase their contributions to health care insurance and want some protections against future annual hikes, King said.
Columbia Ford is proposing to pay $650 per month per individual for their family health care coverage, leaving Teamsters workers to pay about $100 each. Currently, the workers pay $34 a month. Machinists' health care costs would increase to $133 a month.
King said Columbia Ford won't go above the $650 cap for future increases.
"What happens in January when the normal (health care cost) increase comes?" King said. "By the end of the three-year contract our members could be paying $300 out of pocket, and that's not normal."
King said they want the dealership to share in the cost of future health care cost increases
"It's time to get a fair contract. We're not out to break the bank. We just want to be moving forward," he said. "Everyone wants to get back to work. The bottom line is people can't go to work and take a loss when the company makes a profit."
While walking the picket line Wednesday, John Silva, the local Teamsters secretary/treasurer, said picketer's spirits remain high.
"We're willing to remain here as long as necessary to get a fair contract," Silva said. "It's a test of the wills. ... It's just unfortunate that the company drew a line in the sand."
Sari said his offer is more generous than the health plans offered by 27 regional car dealerships he has surveyed.
"I hope the group has had time to realize how good their benefits are," Sari said. " ... We will hold at $650. We've got to be competitive going forward in a very competitive industry."
Sari said car sales are down slightly since the strike began, but manufacturers incentives are keeping business steady.
"At some point you have to draw a line to stay competitive," Sari said. "There are lots of places to get a car repaired. There is a lot of competition out there."
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