Article recapping the strike that has plagued our lives for the past half year.......


D-R workers make headlines in '07
Published: Monday, December 31, 2007 8:38 PM CSTE-mail this story Print this page
Editor's note: This is the final installment in a look back on the top seven news stories for 2007. Today's edition focuses on the strike at the Dresser-Rand Painted Post facility.BY Sarah Grossmansgrossman@the-leader.com

PAINTED POST More than half of the 415 employees who walked out of Dresser-Rand's Painted Post facility are now back to work, but the struggle between the union and the company is far from over.The effects of the 16-week strike and the subsequent process of getting union members back to the factory floor continues. And its effects are far reaching.“A work stoppage of this magnitude has a direct impact on the employee, employer, and community,” said Dan Meisner, director of Human Resources. “Nobody wins in this type of situation.”

Striking members stood outside the facility from Aug. 4 to Nov. 29 while their families stressed over bills, unsure of how long the strike would last.“When (salaries and overtime) get taken away and members are forced to live on unemployment, that will have an effect on families,” said Steve Coates, president of the Electronic, Electrical, Salaried, Machine, and Furniture Local 313 union. “They will pinch pennies and kids won't get everything they want and the community suffers as well because there isn't any money for anything.”As for the company, D-R estimated the work stoppage cost $20 million in the third quarter. Also, D-R pulled its application to the Hornell-Corning Steuben County Empire Zone that detailed plans for a $3 million expansion that may have led to 50 new hires.

But even though the picket signs are no longer visible, many struggles remain.“This experience has destroyed the relationship between the company and the union,” Coates said. “It will take a long time to heal.”Recently, the National Labor Relations Board ruled that eight of the union's 11 claims that D-R committed unfair labor practices were insufficient. As a result, members who have not been called back will have to wait until the company finds positions for them. Union members are given preference.

However, Meisner said some members could wait years before positions reopen. The company is currently operating close to pre-strike employment levels and continues to assess its needs on a daily basis, he said.In the mean time, the union's leadership is still seeking a more suitable contract for its members.“We plan to continue the fight and to maintain what we have and get a fair agreement,” Coates said.

Employees currently working at the plant are subject to the terms of the company's last proposed contract which is similar to one voted down by 93 percent of the union membership on Aug. 3.Negotiations will likely be renewed after the first of the year, Coates said.He also remained positive about the results the strike had on the union's membership.
“If anything, the company has made this union stronger,” he said.He explained that the company's goal was to divide and break the union. However, members did not want to throw other members “under the bus” and stuck together. In the end, only 13 of its 415 members crossed the picket line, he said.“Members who have gone back to work continue to support the others and are willing to continue to try to get a fair contract for everyone for as long as it takes,” said Glenn Painter, chief plant steward. “The Local 313 is recognized by the International as one of the most united unions.”