(The International Brotherhood of Teamsters issued the following news release on October 3.)
PHILADELPHIA — Teamsters forced to strike against the chemical manufacturer Arkema Inc. rallied today outside the company’s U.S. headquarters in Philadelphia to protest attempts to gut the workers’ health insurance, slash their wages and institute other contract cuts.
Joined by over 200 family members, community supporters, civic leaders, and other union members, the workers, who walked off their jobs at the Birdsboro plant eight weeks ago, derided Arkema’s corporate greed and disrespect for Pennsylvania families and communities. Arkema, which posted $1.6 billion in U.S. sales last year, is based in France.
“It’s not right that this French company is treating its U.S. workers like dirt,” said Martin Strunk, a 30-year employee of Arkema and a member of Local 429 in Reading, Pennsylvania. “We’ve offered to come to the table to bargain fairly, but the company just doesn’t care about its American workers.”
The Teamsters and more than 150 supporters held signs in English and French that said: “Don’t Take Away Our Health Care” and “Our Community Needs Good Jobs.” Arkema executives want to cut workers’ pay by 20 percent and relegate new workers to a lower wage scale. They also are trying to institute an inferior health care plan.
“Most of us have worked for 20 to 30 years at this plant,” said Kim Lorah, a 33-year employee. “What we want in a new contract are wage increases that are commensurate with our experience and dedication. Our work week is a tough one — seven days straight and two days off. If the company gets exactly what it wants, our pay will be cut by about 20 percent, and we will still have to work long hours with no compensation. It’s not right.”
“We will not stand for unfair treatment,” said Juan Ramos, a member of the Philadelphia City Council. “I support the striking workers at Arkema and their fight to win fair wages and to protect their health benefits. Tomorrow, I will introduce legislation that protects these workers.”
At the rally in downtown Philadelphia members of the Service Employees International Union, Graphic Communications Conference, Seafarers, United Food and Commercial Workers, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes joined the Arkema strikers to voice their support.
The Arkema strikers have also garnered international support from trade unionists in France, Spain and Brazil. Among the supporters is France’s Conferederation Generale du Travail which represents unions throughout France, including the union for employees at French Arkema facilities.
The Birdsboro plants runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week on four shifts. Arkema is a worldwide manufacturer of thermoplastic resins, some of which are used by Nike and Goodyear tire company.