It’s day 6 of the ongoing strike at the Magellan Aerospace plant in Haleys and spirits on the picket line remain high, says the union president.
Jennifer McMaster, president of Local 4820 United Steelworkers, said there has so far been no response from the company, which she expected.
“We’re on the line and we’re digging in, we’re getting set up out there and spirits are pretty high,” she said.
About 330 people make up the work force at the plant. Workers are stationed on the picket line 24/7 , said McMaster.
She hasn’t been privy to very much public reaction at this point but there has been some support for their position.
“We do have some former members and some retirees that have been by the line to support us, dropping off coffee and cookies for our members, giving them all a pep talk so that’s nice,” said McMaster.
At issue are wages, and a lack of improvements to benefit and pension plans. The company indicated it was offering 12.5 per cent over the three-year contract. However, said McMaster, because the work force operates on a wage scale and the proposed increase was calculated on the base wage, the 12.5 per cent figure is not accurate. And workers lost ground keeping up with inflation and increasing costs of living following the last strike in 2021, she noted.
What is the message from Local 4820?
“I want the public to know this definitely isn’t our first choice to be out on strike. We’ve been fighting this company for many, many years in order to make sure that our buying power keeps up with inflation. And it’s unfortunate that two contracts in a row, we’re out on the line, fighting this company for what we feel is fair wage increases,” said McMaster. “And I would just hope to have their support because we spend a lot of money in this community and we’re part of this community and we’d like to maintain the lifestyle that we’ve all become accustomed to, especially in the wake of unprecedented inflation.”
She noted the union had pretty solid support from its members (81 per cent) to reject the company’s offer.
Magellan Aerospace provides complex assemblies and systems solutions to aircraft and engine manufacturers, and defense and space agencies worldwide. The strike began at midnight on March 21.
(Written by Sherry Haaima)