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December 21, 2009

TruSeal talks pushed back to Jan. 5

Picketers to remain outside plant through holidays

By Samantha Swindler / Managing Editor

Strike negotiations won’t pick up until next year between Union steelworkers and officials with TruSeal Technologies in Barbourville.

Earl Farris, member of United Steelworkers Local 8411 and the negotiating committee, said TruSeal representatives called off negotiations until Jan. 5-7, saying they had matters to attend to at the plant. 

“We’re still on strike and our membership is still strong and motivated and determined,” Farris said. “...We met Saturday until about 2:30 p.m. and the company, they requested that we meet on the 5th, 6th, and 7th of January.” 

A federal mediator was also brought in Saturday to help facilitate talks between union and company officials. 

Farris said neither party has “left the table” and that workers weren’t particularly surprised to learn that the soonest they might be back to work would be after the new year.

“Realistically, our plant was going to be shut down for the holidays anyway,” Farris said. 

The strike began at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday after members of United Steelworkers Local 8411 voted down the new three-year contract proposed by company officials and the two parties failed to negotiate a compromise.

Points of contention in the contract included changes proposed by the company to increase insurance premiums, eliminate attendance bonuses, change employee 401K and overtime policies, and allow for weekly changes in employee schedules.

Richard Mack, director of human resources for TruSeal, said a down economy and a particularly slowed housing market have affected production and caused layoffs throughout the year. Economic conditions were a factor in the company’s contract negotiations, he said.

TruSeal Technologies, Inc. is a manufacturer of warm-edge, insulating glass sealant spacer systems for windows, doors and solar panels. TruSeal’s Barbourville location currently has 132 active hourly employees. 

Farris said picketers will remain outside the plant through the holidays.

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