Striking workers Go 4th with pickets
Tuesday, July 3, 2007 6:58 AM PDT
By Evan Caldwell
Printable version
E-mail this articleStriking Columbia Ford workers set up pickets at the dealership's Go 4th booth at Lake Sacajawea as the walkout began its third week Monday with no apparent end in site
U.S. Rep. Brian Baird planned to meet with members of the Machinists and Teamsters Union on the picket lines at the Seventh Avenue dealership from 1 to 1:20 p.m. today.
Dave Campbell, assistant Longview City Manager, said city staff met with city attorney Marilyn Nitteberg-Hann to discuss the rights of the picketers at Go 4th.
"As long as (the strikers) are not infringing on other people's rights --- such as blocking vehicles or people --- they can be there," Campbell said.
Brian King, Teamsters Local 58 business agent, said no negotiations are planned and little bargaining has taken place since the strike began June 18.
"We've contacted the (federal) mediator and said we are willing to sit down a bargain," King said. Columbia Ford "has not agreed to meet."
Phone messages left for Pat Sari, president and general manager of the dealership, were not immediately returned Monday.
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.
Columbia Ford began seeking replacement workers last week.
The unions oppose the dealership's plan to increase employee contributions to health-care insurance and want the dealership to share in the cost of future health-care cost increases.
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.
Columbia Ford is declining to pay more than the $650 cap for future increases, which would mean workers would have to increase their share of health coverage costs.
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