[Peace-discuss] private army comes home

[Ricky Baldwin]

Folks may be interested to know that SRT, now engaged
in harassing locked out workers in Illinois, bills
itself as a "private army" in its ads -- and not
without reason: they have also had contracts in
Afghanistan and Iraq, and provided security at one of
the G-8 meetings, I believe.  The goons they hire are
all former military or police.

More continuity.
Ricky


> Corporate War in the Heartland
> 
>  
> 
>             On June 5 of this year Celanese
> Emulsions illegally locked out the 150 families of
> Boilermakers local 484 in Meredosia Illinois.  In a
> continuing war on American workers Celanese, a
> German based multinational affiliated with National
> Starch, turned the tranquility of this small
> Illinois river community of 1100 into a war zone,
> changing the lives of local residents forever.
> Instead of negotiating in good faith [the subject of
> an NLRB charge], Celanese brought in the services of
> Special Response Team, a Roanoke Virginia based
> company who specializes in breaking strikes and
> unions.
> 
>             Just days before the lockout, Celanese
> refused to bargain and offered a last and final
> offer, then issued the lockout notice.  On June 28th
> the two sides met and came close to an agreement,
> but Celanese had other plans.  On July 6th when the
> two sides met, Celanese offered a regressive package
> reducing wages by 30%, eliminating the Maintenance
> Department, reducing vacation time and reneging on
> issues already tentatively agreed to; an offer no
> union could accept.
> 
>             During the course of this dispute,
> Special Response Team [SRT] thugs have continued a
> pattern of harassment against the families of local
> 484, living up to their reputation of "anything
> goes".  SRT goons have expanded their campaign of
> terror into the community driving through
> neighborhoods videotaping member's homes and even
> member's children at play in their yards. Though
> this activity is illegal, reaction from the local
> Sheriff's department has been to join forces to with
> Celanese.  A local judge never hesitated in issuing
> an injunction limiting picketers even though there
> has been no violence.  Authorities have been swift
> in citing picketers and harassing labor supporters,
> but have done nothing to stop SRT from disrupting
> the harmony and sense of community in this small,
> midwestern town.  While Celanese has launched the
> usual campaign of terror on the entire community,
> local businesses and Meredosia residents have come
> together in support of the locked out families.
> 
>             With support from the International
> Union strike fund, local 484 is valiantly fighting
> back.  Rank and file members, empowered by savvy
> local leaders, President Kelly Street and the
> Executive Board, have hit the ground running. 
> Member organizers have established a "Road Warrior"
> group to travel the US to raise much-needed funds to
> support the fight and support families through a
> food distribution program.  Road Warriors carry the
> message to local unions and community organizations
> with speakers, literature and a short video. They
> are organizing strategic rallies to force Celanese
> back to the bargaining table.  This dedicated group
> also carries the responsibility of forming ongoing
> support groups in cities throughout North America. 
> 
>             Local 484 has developed an
> Adopt-A-Family program where local unions, community
> organizations and individuals can adopt local 484
> families to help keep the members in the fight. 
> Each adopted family is required to communicate
> directly with the adopting organization or
> individual and must perform union service related to
> the fightback.
> 
>             Here's how you can help.  Ask your local
> to give a treasury donation or adopt a family or
> both!  Ask your local or organization to conduct
> gate collections and job-site donations to support
> this local in a fight that affects us all. Visit the
> picket lines and the local hall in Meredosia. 
> Invite a Road Warrior group to speak and show a
> video at your next meeting. Pass the hat for their
> expenses and call for a vote for support. Help build
> ongoing support groups in your community.  Call your
> representatives and demand justice for these locked
> out workers and their families.
> 
>  
> 
> Send a contribution to: IBB Local 484 Solidarity
> Defense Fund or IBB Local 484 Adopt-A-Family Fund PO
> Box 258 Meredosia IL 626655.
> 
> Contact Local 484: ph 217-584-1916---fax217-584-1856
> or visit their website at: www.boilermakers484.org
> 
>  
> 
> While the WarZone Education Foundation is assisting
> this embattled local, we ask that you send all
> contributions directly to local 484.  You can obtain
> an official letter from the local requesting support
> for local 484 and forms for the Adopt-A-Family
> program.
> 
> Mike Griffin  Decatur IL
> 
> 
>


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