Libbey Bankruptcy – August 17, 2020

Shortly after midnight on August 17, Libbey filed with the Bankruptcy Court in Delaware its motion under Sections 1113 and 1114 of the Bankruptcy Code to reject our collective bargaining agreements, freeze our pension plans and eliminate retiree healthcare. Below is a summary of what the company will attempt to impose, which is based upon the Company’s 4th proposal to the unions, which it presented on August 7:

• An extension of all contracts until 2024.
• The permanent closure of most of the Shreveport facility, with only the warehouse remaining and a transfer of the product we make in Shreveport to be made in China and Mexico with some equipment being moved to Toledo and most equipment going to Mexico.
• A ten percent (10%) reduction in all wage rates in Toledo effective October 1st of this year.  A ten percent (10%) reduction in all remaining wages rates in the Shreveport warehouse effective January 1st of next year (a two-month lag).
• A so-called “snapback” of wage increases conditioned upon the company reaching what it calls “free cash flow” triggers that the company admits likely would not provide any wage increase until the first quarter of 2024.
• Cost increases to the health benefits of active employees effective January 1, 2021, with management maintaining a right without any further bargaining to change plan terms in 2022 and afterwards to match the benefits paid to non-represented employees anytime.
• A permanent freeze of the current pension plan that would prevent the accrual of any additional service credit.
• The permanent elimination of current and future retiree healthcare, effective January 1, 2021.
• Elimination of all tool allowances.
• Elimination of all multi-assignment allowances.
• Elimination of all overtime premiums except as required by law that are hours worked in excess of 40 hours in a week.
• Elimination of all double time premiums and all holiday premiums.
• Increase the use of temporary employees even when union employees are laid off.
• Reduce vacation amounts and vacation pay.
• Elimination of December 26th – 29th as holidays.
• Eliminate all skill adjustment premiums.

Libbey management continues to tell us that hourly workers and retirees must accept these sacrifices, and that if we don't, the federal court will to impose them.  We have assigned knowledgeable and experienced staff including Attorneys and Technicians, and we have engaged outside bankruptcy legal firms and financial advisors to assist in the process and we will continue to demand equity of sacrifice and a process to allow the company to exit bankruptcy, but if management continues to insist upon these draconian cuts to our contracts they will be met with legal actions that will exhibit our commitment to fair and equitable...

We are the United Steelworkers, North America’s largest industrial union. We’re 1.2 million members and retirees strong in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. We proudly represent men and women who work in nearly every industry there is. Our members are leaders in your communities, in your work places, in our governments and more. We have a presence in the United Kingdom, Ireland, England, Scotland, Mexico and many other places around the world.

We believe in better!

We stand up and fight back for better!

We work for working families around the world!

Local Union 1899

Representing workers at GCS Credit Union, Stein Steel Services, TMS International, West Rock Services Inc., Suncoke Energy Inc., Kinder Morgan Inc.  and United States Steel - Granite City Works. 

United Steelworkers Local 1899 is proud to represent over 100 years of unbroken unionism at Granite City Steel.  United States Steel - Granite City Works is a producer of high-quality steel for automotive, construction, and OCTG/Hot Rolled steel, which is used to be made into pipe and tube for oil and natural gas drilling. 

Local 1899 was established in May of 2003 when the three major local unions at Granite City Works and the locals representing the Guard and Office & Technical units, along with the represented employees of GCS Credit Union, Robinson and Stein Steel Services amalgamated. 

“1899” was chosen as our new local number as it was the first year that reference to a Union at Granite City Steel was recorded.  Our membership in the main plant numbers approximately 1400 and includes production, maintenance, and office and technical workers, as well as fire and security members. 

The United Steelworkers have a proud heritage at Granite City Works, and Local 1899 is known as a leader and activist Union in District 7 and throughout the International Union. 

It is the goal of this local to represent every member to its fullest; to protect their rights and insure their safety on the job, and to further the principles of the United...

A project critical to protecting the environment and the longterm viability of Enbridge Line 5, a crude oil pipeline that supplies refineries throughout the midwest, is in jeopardy.

The Enbridge Straits Line 5 Replacement Segment Project would allow for the current pipeline that runs through the Straits of Mackinac to be rerouted through a tunnel in the bedrock beneath the Straits, protecting the waterway and the Great Lakes.

Members and Retirees of Local 5328

Good evening all. 

We will be resuming the monthly membership meetings on September 10, 5:00pm.  Social distancing measures will be in place as well as sanitizer and masks will be provided and must be worn. 

 Grievances are at an all time high with the changes present management are doing as well as the absurd suspensions!! I have contacted our staff rep to proceed with multiple arbitration’s as the Grievance committee are exhausted with company’s lack of respect for the workers rights!   Don’t give into them! If you have an issue, be straight to the point and cordial and if you feel the need, have a Union Steward present!! 

 Unfortunately, there are a couple more lay offs for next week. We have asked the company to start training and cross training so to minimize the lay offs, but it’s a no go. 

 Have a great and safe weekend! 

In solidarity, 

Anthony Ciaramella 
President
USW Local 5328