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Alcoa employees hold solidarity rally in front of Alcoa West’s main entrance
PUBLISHED: THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2014 AT 2:44 AM
PHOTO BY BENNY FAIRCHILD
Members of United Steelworkers Local 420-A gathered Wednesday afternoon to hold a solidarity rally in front of the main entrance to Alcoa West in Massena. From left, Todd MacDonald, Aaron Gravelle, Rob Chilton, Relani Prudhomme, 450-A member Al LaBaff, Nick Perkins and 420-A Recording Secretary Michael Kormanyos. Ms. Prudhomme, who is not a steelworker, but works with the plant’s employees through her job at Upstate Medical University said she attended the rally as a show of support for the people she works with.
HONK FOR SOLIDARITY - A group of nearly 30 USW members and supporters gathered outside the main entrance to Alcoa West Wednesday afternoon, just more than 24 hours away from the expiration of their current labor deal. From left, Mark Billings, Robin Johnson, John Parmeter, Kirk Aumell, Craig Gorrow and David W. LaClair. (Fairchild Photo)
PHOTO BY BENNY FAIRCHILD
Members of United Steelworkers Local 420-A gathered Wednesday afternoon to hold a solidarity rally in front of the main entrance to Alcoa West in Massena. From left, Todd MacDonald, Aaron Gravelle, Rob Chilton, Relani Prudhomme, 450-A member Al LaBaff, Nick Perkins and 420-A Recording Secretary Michael Kormanyos. Ms. Prudhomme, who is not a steelworker, but works with the plant’s employees through her job at Upstate Medical University said she attended the rally as a show of support for the people she works with.
PHOTO BY BENNY FAIRCHILD
Nick Perkins, who is a member of United Steelworkers Local 420-A and employed at Alcoa West in Massena was joined at Wednesday’s solidarity rally by his wife, Megan, his daughter, Sophia and even his dog, Jack.
ALCOA WEST MAIN ENTRANCE
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MASSENA - Members of United Steelworkers 420-A gathered in front of Alcoa West Wednesday afternoon just one day prior to the expiration of their contract, for what participants were calling a “solidarity rally.”
Holding blue and yellow placards with the words “Solidarity, Unity and Strength for Workers” written on them, a group that began with just eight people at 2 p.m., but grew to nearly 30 by 3 p.m. waved the placards encouraging passing vehicles to honk their horns for support as they drove by.
“This is a rally for solidarity and we’re doing this with the employees from all of the plants in our bargaining unit,” said 420-A Recording Secretary Michael Kormanyos, who noted employees from nine other Alcoa plants across the U.S. were also holding similar rallies on Wednesday.
The contract Alcoa has with those roughly 6,100 employees expires at 1 a.m. Friday morning, midnight Central time, Mr. Kormanyos said. When asked if he was expecting a deal to be reached before then, Mr. Kormanyos said he wasn’t sure.
“We’re not at that table, but I can tell you all we’re looking for is a fair contract with no concessions,” he said. “The International has put together a package that we believe is fair and acceptable.”
In addition to members of Local 420-A, members of several other area unions also attended the rally to show their support.
Craig Garrow said he is a member of the local laborers union.
“I’m here to support the steelworkers,” he said.
Robin Johnson is a member of the local AFGE (American Federation of Government Employees).
I’m with the AFGE, but I have family that’s retired from the plant and I’m from the area,” she said. “I know a lot of people in there.”
In addition to support from other labor groups in the area, one 420-A member brought along his entire family, including his dog Jack.
Nick Perkins was joined at the rally by his wife Megan and his daughter Sophia, as well as the family’s black lab, who was even wearing a USW T-shirt.
“I pulled her out of school a little bit early,” Mrs. Perkins said. “I figured how many peaceful pickets could she ever be a part of.
Massena Mayor James F. Hidy briefly stopped by the rally to lend his support.
“I do support the local unions. They are the backbone of our local economy,” he said. “These are people who have tremendous buying power. They support our local economy and businesses.”
Mr. Hidy said he is hopeful that a deal will be reached prior to any work stoppages.
“I strongly support bargaining in good faith, but I also recognize that with the uncertainty of Alcoa that the health care and competitive wages they offer are critical for our region,” he said.
Town Supervisor Joseph D. Gray echoed those sentiments.
“I am hopeful for a quick and positive resolution to the negotiations,” he said.
Former USW Local 450-A President David W. LaClair now works at Alcoa West and is a 420-A member. When asked what he was expecting to see happen, he said at this point, it’s hard to tell.
“They have a deadline and they will work until the deadline comes. Sometimes you’ll see the deadline extended or you might see a strike or lockout. Until that time comes we don’t know,” he said.
Regardless of the outcome, Mr. LaClair said it’s nice to know the workers have support from the Massena community.
Speaking as dozens of vehicles drove by honking their horns and waving, Mr. LaClair said, “It’s great to see the support from Massena and the surrounding communities.”
He said Massena has a long history of supporting its unions.
“Massena and the surrounding communities have always been supportive of labor with GM, Alcoa, the Seaway, the former Reynolds plant and other local labor groups,” he said.
According to an update posted on Alcoa’s website Wednesday evening, a deal has yet to be reached, but negotiations remain ongoing.
“Talks continue toward a fair and competitive labor agreement before the contract expires tomorrow at 11:59 p.m. CDT. Today, Alcoa and the USW reviewed proposals and counterproposals in economics, benefits and language,” the update read.
Steelworkers hold rally in front of Alcoa West plant in Massena
PUBLISHED: THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2014 AT 12:30 AM
BENNY FAIRCHILD • JOHNSON NEWSPAPERS
From left, Todd MacDonald, Aaron Gravelle, Rob Chilton, Relani Prudhomme, Al LaBaff, Nick Perkins and Michael Kormanyos picket outside the Alcoa West plant in Massena on Wednesday afternoon.
BENNY FAIRCHILD • JOHNSON NEWSPAPERS
From left, Todd MacDonald, Aaron Gravelle, Rob Chilton, Relani Prudhomme, Al LaBaff, Nick Perkins and Michael Kormanyos picket outside the Alcoa West plant in Massena on Wednesday afternoon.
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MASSENA — Members of United Steelworkers Local 420-A gathered in front of the Alcoa West plant for a solidarity rally Wednesday afternoon while contract negotiations continued as the deadline loomed.
About 30 workers had turned out by 3 p.m. for the peaceful picket, holding blue and yellow placards reading “Solidarity, Unity and Strength for Workers.”
“This is a rally for solidarity, and we’re doing this with the employees from all of the plants in our bargaining unit,” said 420-A recording secretary Michael Kormanyos, adding that employees from nine other Alcoa plants across the country were holding similar rallies.
The contract Alcoa has with those roughly 6,100 Steelworkers expires at 12:59 a.m. Friday, and Mr. Kormanyos said he did not know whether to expect a deal by then. Health care benefits were among the issues the parties were discussing this week during contract negotiations in Pittsburgh.
“We’re not at that table, but I can tell you all we’re looking for is a fair contract with no concessions,” he said. “The International has put together a package that we believe is fair and acceptable.”
Members of several other unions also attended the rally to show their support. Craig Garrow said he is a member of the local laborers union. “I’m here to support the Steelworkers,” he said.
Robin Johnson is a member of the local American Federation of Government Employees.
“I have family that’s retired from the plant and I’m from the area,” she said. “I know a lot of people in there.”
One 420-A member brought his family. Nick Perkins was joined by his wife, Megan, and his daughter, Sophia.
“I pulled her out of school a little bit early,” Mrs. Perkins said. “I figured how many peaceful pickets could she ever be a part of?”
Massena Mayor James F. Hidy stopped by to lend his support.
“I do support the local unions. They are the backbone of our local economy,” he said. “These are people who have tremendous buying power. They support our local economy and businesses.”
Mr. Hidy said he is hopeful that a deal will be reached prior to any work stoppage.
“I strongly support bargaining in good faith, but I also recognize that with the uncertainty of Alcoa that the health care and competitive wages they offer are critical for our region.”
Town Supervisor Joseph D. Gray echoed those sentiments.
“I am hopeful for a quick and positive resolution to the negotiations,” he said.
Former Local 450-A president David W. LaClair, who now works at Alcoa West and is a 420-A member, said it’s hard to tell what will happen in the final hours of contract talks.
“They have a deadline, and they will work until the deadline comes,” he said. “Sometimes you’ll see the deadline extended, or you might see a strike or lockout. Until that time comes we don’t know.”
Speaking as dozens of drivers passed by honking and waving, Mr. LaClair said, “It’s great to see the support from Massena and the surrounding communities.”
According to an update posted on Alcoa’s website on Wednesday evening, a deal had yet to be reached but negotiations were ongoing.
“Talks continue toward a fair and competitive labor agreement before the contract expires tomorrow at 11:59 p.m. CDT. Today, Alcoa and the USW reviewed proposals and counterproposals in economics, benefits and language,” the update read.
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