A recent solidarity event showed that members of the United Steelworkers Local 11-205 supported the Union Bargaining Committee’s decision to reject a contract proposal from Continental Cement, reported The Courier Post.
Ron Wilkey, sub-director for District 11 United Steelworkers, said contract negotiation meetings began March 17, and the original contract expired May 1. About 120 employees represented by the union have been working without a contract since October, when the last of several contract extensions expired.
At the event, the message “Continental Cement, Fair Contract Now, United Steel Workers” was shone on the side of Continental Cement’s Hannibal, Mo., cement plant. The union said it sought to highlight that the call for a different contract proposal was not coming solely from the negotiating committee but also from its membership.
“Continental Cement Company values our employees, and we remain committed to negotiating in good faith and look forward to completing negotiations with United Steelworkers Local 11-205 on a new, mutually agreeable three-year contract,” Continental Cement representatives said.
With the holiday season approaching, USW plans to schedule future meetings with Continental Cement officials after the start of the new year.