Negotiations continuing at steel mill
Apr 3, 2012 | 82 Comments
News-Register Staff
Only online subscribers may access this article. Subscribe online by clicking here . Already a subscriber, please log in
• High speed pursuit ends in McMinnville (4742)
• Did Oregon miss chance to stop a serial killer? (2707)
• Video showing use of excessive force by local officers goes public (2667)
• Dribbling 'free spirit' touches local family before untimely death (1998)
• City and county sued for excessive use of force (1819)
• Doing something for his alma mater (1444)
• Oregon budget talks gain momentum with econ report (1191)
• Welcome aboard (1105)
• What a racket (1015)
• Recent rash of thefts in Mac (867)
• A simple message for the people of 'O' (6)
• City and county sued for excessive use of force (5)
• Need warm couch Saturday night; will contribute game of juggle (3)
• Oregon budget talks gain momentum with econ report (2)
• New agritourism discussion deserves full public hearing (2)
• Citizenship classes planned for Mac (1)
• Thorson throws her support to Grange (1)
• Sheriff's office investigating rock quarry theft (1)
• Dribbling 'free spirit' touches local family before untimely death (1)
Would you like to comment on this article?
Only online subscribers may comment on articles. Click here to see how you can subscribe.
Already a subscriber, please log in
Comments
Troy Prouty*
Well, wake up, this is not only true for the mill workers, it's true for all of us, even without pay cuts many of us are taking home less money because we have to pay more for benefits, and everything else. Companies are scared about the future and need to be conservative, yes, that is unfortunate for the rest of us but it's the truth right now.
I know hundreds of people apply when there are only a hand-full of openings - if the mill workers think they can do better somewhere else, I challenge them to go ahead and try. Unless they are strking because their health and life is at risk, I say go back to work....Geez, right now we need to be thankful we even have a job.
Those are pretty flimsy facts. Exactly what is the decrease in wages being proposed? Exactly what is the decrease in benefits being proposed? Exactly what is the decrease in working conditions being proposed? Until you answer those questions, you are just making a straw man argument that is of no value. No one will be working at Cascade for minimum wage. No one will be working a MANDATORY 16 hour workday. How hard did these people fight for these wages and benefits? Do you call walking off the job as "fighting hard"?
These employees get a "living wage" because the value of their job is at a "living wage" level. Wage levels change if the value of the job decreases for the employer. Sometimes that level decreases.
Steve Bagwell, Managing Editor
You said, "We just have the union word on that".
Good luck with that.
@ Kona, like we can believe anything that comes out of the company's mouth. 13 proposals later, and all of them just to the company's benefit is not bargaining in good faith. Make realistic proposals and maybe we'll get somewhere. Make a stand and fight. Don't just accept a rotten contract because "we're lucky to have a job."
"If for some reason the Union asks you to refuse to come to work, it is your right to choose to come to work. The Union has no legal right to force you to refuse work. We want to assure you that you are free to make your own decision. No reprisals will be taken against you whatever decision you make regarding your membership status."
Really Jeff?????? Afraid you won't get your big bonus at the end of the year????
When you get pushed into a corner it's time to stand and fight!!!!
Judgenot~ I agree with you 100%.. What is that old saying...Until you have walked a mile in their shoes??..We Americans continously are rolling over and taking whatever we are told too.. no matter the price or effect it has on our homes, lives and loved ones. There are men and women that go to that plant every day, for the sole reason of providing for their families and putting food on their table..Families they rarely get to see because of the long hours and rotating shifts. They are standing up for the wages and benefits they have work hard and long to earn. Not to mention the dangerous, hazardous environment they walk into every day to accomplish that goal. I have read some of your statements like " they should be grateful to have job." And I am here to tell you everyone of them are grateful.. and scared to death to lose homes, vehicles, food etc... but at least they have the foresight not to just give up and roll over!! Where would be today if or Forefathers said to England awe..heck guys just give whatever you want too..As a society we have become weak and want to blame everyone else for our short comings and problems..then want to point fingers at one who wants to stand up for their rights and get things fixed. A safe work place, the insurance that if your injured you don't get screwed over. Also, what about all the money that stays in the community from these employees..how many other business are going to be effected.It is a sad pitiful people we have become...breaks my heart!!!
And yes I will always stand by my man with pride!! Because he is one!
No that is not the case. My employment was as physically and mentally demanding as probably any job available. Never came home clean. Never considered walking off the job. Always used the strategy that, "when the going gets tough, the tough get going (as in working harder)".
Are you saying that if I will pay you x amount + benefits to move a pile of bricks from here to there for the length of our contract,Then when that contract expires. I ask you to do the same for the same pay plus pay more for those benefits, All while I have made millions of dollars in profit! You would just suck it up and push forward????
I'm not sure I am clear on this!
The tough do get going and they fight for their what is right as well..They get hurt on the job denied benefits and go back to work without being healed and work their butts off for self pride in their jobs and work, without thanks or appreciation what so ever... it is that self pride that pushes them forward and keeps them going..The thought of "walking off" or "striking" as being weak is an unbelievable statement. This probably the hardest choice these people have to make..They know it is not going to feed their families, walking a picket line or pay their mortgage either. You can bet it rips them apart and they will have to really work their butts off trying to hold on to everything they have worked for, while trying to make a difference and stand up for what is right.
Dont forget to add to the fact that the cost of just living, not living beyond your means, but just living is increasing at the same time so the dollar you earn buys less and less every year, month or even day as is the case with fuel and some food items.
NimbWhitIB,
You asked, "You would just suck it up and push forward???".
It is a personal choice. If I wanted/needed a job, yes I would "suck it up and push forward". There are millions of people who have had to make that choice. Many (perhaps most) have "sucked it up" and were/are thankful they have a job.
I have tried to find information about the "millions in profit" Cascade Rolling Mills has made in the last couple of years. You must have information, could you tell me where I can find it?
But........Can you provide information that they have not profited?
This Cascade Steel plant is 30% of Schnitzer's bottom line. 30%. The annual report will give you that info and you can get a copy of it. They made $6 million in profits - just from this one plant alone. Six. Million. Dollars.
Further, the Union, because they WANTED to HELP Cascade weather this current Great Depression, gave - *GAVE* - Cascade a *VOLUNTARY* 1 year grace period by forgoing their contractually required 3% COLI. These steelworkers have, are, and will continue to help Cascade Steel. Each steelworker job in McMinnville supports *SIX* other jobs in this town. Six. That's a lot of economic good-neighborliness on the part of the Union and the steelworkers.
If I were a betting woman, I'd bet on there being some really diabolical dirty work at the Schnitzer corporate cross-roads for them to be treating this Union this badly. That kind of stuff always comes out eventually and when it does, stock prices tend to suffer. This is what I mean by Capitalists trying to kill the geese who lay our Golden Eggs for us. It's sociopathic behaviour.
In the meantime, Schnitzer stock is at $38 and change as of last Sunday. Maybe it's time for each steelworker and each of their family members and friends, to buy one share - that gets each of them into the annual shareholders meetings.
I think I can come up with that kinda cash. Now, where'd I put that piggy-bank......
In it, I found the following:
Cascade Steel Profit for fiscal 2010 was -2.035 (negative)
Cascade Steel Profit for fiscal 2011 is 1.218 million to date
Also, while Cascade Steel is 1 of the 3 main businesses in Schnitzer, it produces less than 10% of Schnitzer's total revenue and so far less than 5% of Schnitzers profit.
The impact of Cascade Steel is far too important to this community to post unsubstantiated information. Too many lives at the mill and in the community in general are at stake for misinformation.
I went the Schnitzers site. I do see the business improvement quarter over quarter for Cascade Steel. It appears they lost 2 million in the 1st quarter of fiscal 2011 and made a 1 million profit in 1st quarter of 2012.
So to be clear and factual, they did not make profits of 6 or 9 million dollars last year (or any time in the past 4 years).
They are not 30% of Schnitzers profit.
All of these were statements made to support the Unions position, but are not based on fact and make the arguments for the union look dishonest. As I said before, this is about the community...not just the Union workers. If Cascade Steel were to close down, the entire community will be devastated.
and yes this affects the whole community. but if your living expenses were rising and your wages were not, due to your boss raising benifit costs how long do you think it will be before houses go to the banks again, and people go bankrupt and have no money, either way its the same effect.
if you made $100, paid ten for insurance and used the rest to live on, then your insurance doubled and other living expenses went up but your wages stayed the same, who does that affect? everyone. all we are asking for is a fair cola. when the cost to produce something goes up the manufacturer passes that on to consumers. just look at the price per ton on finished products on the same report. and i didnt say they were 30% of their profit.
The stock price is up a point, their leverage ratio is only 23%, and the PE Ratio of 44.78, shows strong investor confidence.
Their annual report for 2011 shows total revenues $3.4 billion, net income was $118 million, and 1 yr growth 2010 - 2011 of almost 100% in terms of income. Schnitzer acknowledged in April 2011 that they believe in Climate Change and expect it to affect operations.
The Q1 2012 levels also indicate payments for taxes and year-end bonuses. What did the they spend on Cascade Exec level bonuses? They expected operating income per ferrous ton to almost double 1Q12.
Schnitzer/Cascade are sitting very prettily.
They may decide what is best for business - behaving properly and renumerating their Union employees with a generous contract, or, they may attempt union busting/undermining and screw the local economy and many non-steel jobs in McMinnville. Actions speak louder than words.
Cascade Steel is a relatively very small part (less than 10 percent) of Schnitzer Steel.
http://www.schnitzersteel.com/news_releases.aspx?ReleaseID=1680520&Category=NA&ArchiveStatus=Current
Would that work for you, Kathleen Blair?
He has often mentioned wanting to work at the steel mill, but the layoffs that we have heard about over the years terrifies us. He just wants to go to work, put his time in, do a good job, and come home at the end of the day- no worries about layoffs, no worries about unannounced schedules, be able to take a vacation day when requested without being told to come in for at least a few hours, have an actual 15 minute break after two hours, and provide for his family. Is that so much to ask?
No doubt that in this economy there would be a great many that would seek employment, anywhere they can find it. I my self once took a job breaking rocks with a 12 lb sledgehammer until I could find something that paid better. But I don't believe that having a high employee turnover would serve/benefit Cascade Rolling Mill very well at all.
Right off the top of the head (no pun intended) the 'workmen comp' carrier rate alone (I would imagine) be raised substantially. Would you agree?
The Schnitzer's aren't going to close the mill anytime soon. Nobody else is going to pay the premium price Cascade Steel does for the garbage scrap Schnitzer is able to unload on us (benefits of owning a steel mill).
If they really wanted to cut costs how about slashing the CEO's of Cascade and Schnitzers wages. Which are about $10,000.00 and $25,000.00 a day! That would certainly cover the supposed last quarter losses.
This is corporate greed at its best, plain and simple.
The FED has created the largest debt in world history. They were created in 1913, 1933-1935 Gold Bullion was confiscated and made illegal.
The FED Creates money out of thin air creating inflation. The more printed, The lower our dollar is worth, meaning more Dollars required to purchase items sold in our everyday lives. Gas, Food, Clothing, prescription drugs, energy and much more.
Planned Inflation is now draining our bank accounts, and our fridge!
Ron Paul, Is the ONLY candidate running for office that will return America to constitutional government that made us the greatest nation in human history.
Other candidates propose we continue to drift afar from our founding principles. This "drift" put us in our current crisis. Ron Paul predicted this many years ago, And has the Solution.
Ron Paul is also a physician delivered over 4000 babies, repeal Obamacare, cut 1$ TRILLION in year 1, balance budget by year 3.
Others suggest we cut Trillions in proposed spending.
Too much to mention about this great man. His message is for every person who wants freedom and liberty, without the expense of taking our rights away!
"There are only two ways to conquer and enslave a nation. One is by sword, the other is by debt"
-John Adams
DailyPaul.com Ron Paul 2012
I know about half of the residents of this area would love to have that bring home wage. Yes I think most of the union workers are being selfish and ridiculous.
Do you know that there are quite of few employees out there that have been stock piling there vacation time for when they retire? Upon retirement the company will have to cut them a check for upwards of $30,000. Seriously? Just asking for what they deserve? Sleeping on the job, coming to work high/drunk...You deserve to not have a job.
You should be grateful for every single thing you have. If you can't survive on $50,000 a year, you should ask someone that does it on $20,000 a year and see how they do it. They are people that make it work. What are you willing to sacrifice? Do you NEED it or want it?
Do you have heat and a roof in the winter? Do you have health coverage if your family falls ill? So you have hot water for showers?
Count your blessings for you have many.
you are probably not hearing about the smaller companies that are eliminating jobs compltely, reducing wages, increasing benefits contributions, etc. etc. just because the employees aren't on strike but it's just something that so many people are dealing with that for those of us who are seeing what is going on beyond the steel mill are thinking "ok....what makes you so different?" why is it that it is ok for other employers to do this and other workers to have to put up with it because times are hard, but you think you are beyond that? i wish things were better for EVERYONE not just the steel mill workers, but unfortunatley it's just that, a wish.
you talk like you believe you have first hand knowledge of how the mill operates. But your suppositions are dead wrong. the mill has a standard drug and alcohol screening policy and a random screening policy to back that up.
Also the lowest wage is not $18.00 an hour, if you get hurt and have to do a lite duty job ie janitor for the rest of your time then your wage can go down to $11.00 and change. That is not to say that the normal wages are not good. That is one thing we would like to see remain. Also the company does not just cut you a check at the end of your working time for vacation, they will make you take it and then you can retire once its used up. Know your facts before you spout rhetoric. The truth is all we need to discuss.
"A striking worker at Cascade Steel Rolling Mills was treated at Providence Newberg Medical Center today after a car driven by a security guard bumped him on the picket line. The incident occurred about 5 a.m. this morning at the west entrance to the employee parking lot outside Cascade Steel Rolling Mills in McMinnville. "�He put his bumper right up against my leg and then he hit the gas,� mill shop worker Lee Frakes said. Picketers called police, who took statements from witnesses, and cited the driver for failure to yield to a pedestrian � a traffic infraction. After the incident, Frakes said he tried to continue walking the picket line, but started to experience pain and numbness in his lower right leg. �It�s just really bad timing,� Frakes said. Frakes, 36, says his wife is due to give birth any day to their third child, and he can�t drive with his leg immobilized. Frakes says he�s disturbed by the incident, and says managers and non-union employees at the mill have been getting more aggressive in recent days. �I watched a guy almost get hit [by a manager�s car] the other day. He came in super fast, and if the guy did not jump out of the way, he would have been hit.�
The same kind of an incident happened years back when the teachers were striking and one of the teachers jumped in front of a school bus and got hit. You would think these people would picket off from the roadway where the cars are driving. Wouldn't be the first time that union picketers tried to stop people from getting to their job by blocking a roadway.
do you know what a picket line is and the purpose behind it?
I have talked to the police and as long as we obey the law we retain our rights as pedestrians. It is an unfortunate thing that happened but if you will put aside your apathy toward our plight and research the facts of what is truly happening here I am sure that you will see that we are not villains but ordinary people just like you trying our best to make a living and support our community. regardless of how you view us, I thank you for showing genuine interest on this and may God bless you.
1. Do not interfere with access to the picketed facility or with use of sidewalks or roadways.
2. Do not threaten or engage in violence or use abusive language.
3. Under no circumstances should any of the following be allowed on the line or in the vicinity of
the line:
a. Firearms or any other type weapon
b. Alcoholic beverages, drugs, or persons noticeably under the influence
4. OBEY POLICY INSTRUCTIONS AND ALL COURT ORDERS.
Picket captains should ask police officers to identify themselves.
Call the Union to report incidents involving police and collect names and written statements
from witnesses.
5. If someone asks or orders you to leave a location:
a. Take their name and the name of their employer.
b. Ask their source of authority.
c. Contact the Union immediately so that unfair labor practice charges may be filed.
d. Get names, addresses, phone numbers and written statements from witnesses.
Do not engage in violence or resist arrest.
We all want to be self supporting,but most of us depend ona company to employ us. Once employed, we all complain that the head hauncho makes more than we do- duh, he is the head hauncho! We all complain that we actually have to pay for some of our insurance... Try living with no insurance for the last 7 years, than we can talk. We all complain about our retirement plans, yet many can't even afford the small weekly contribution because they need every last cent to make ends meet.
It is the grass is greener on the other side syndrome, we all have it, just remember for every job that someone turns down, walks away from,or pickets, there is someone else praying to be able to feed their children tomorrow, regardless of how difficult a job may be.