Alcoa Strike? No
June 1, 2010 by Jerry Reth · Leave a Comment
Alcoa Strike? No – Alcoa has been able to narrowly avert a strike. According to recent reports, Alcoa and the Steelworkers Union were able to reach an agreement following an extension on the original deadline. Many of the employees who were affected by the agreement were left waiting to hear about the outcome until a few minutes before the deadline came. There are nearly 5,500 workers that will be affected by the agreement, across 10 different plants. Had an agreement not been reached, the workers would have gone on strike, and production at the plants would have virtually shut down. It would have been a lose-lose situation for both parties.
The agreement still will be subject to a vote by Alcoa workers. A number of workers in different states have not yet had a chance to look over the agreement, leaving officials waiting for an answer. The original deadline for the agreement was Sunday night, but as the parties came closer to an agreement, but could not reach one, they decided to extend the deadline in hopes that they would be able to work it out. They were, in the end, able to work it out just moments before the extended deadline was upon them.
The negotiations have been ongoing since the middle of April. The primary issues that were addressed include health care for Alcoa workers, wages, and the ability to have a greater determination of their own schedule. In 1986, the steel workers went on strike for similar issues.
Thankfully for both parties, an agreement was reached and is currently waiting for approval from Alcoa members.
