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6 December, 2005After more than 6 months of illegal lockout, Gerdau Ameristeel has decided to call workers at their Beaumont mill in Texas, USA, back to work.
USA: Gerdau Ameristeel, a U.S. subsidiary company of Brazilian steelmaking giant Gerdau, has decided to terminate its lockout of 300 workers at its mill in Beaumont and call workers back to work, starting December 12.
The lockout began on May 26 when workers refused to agree to the company's concessionary demands. In a statement, the United Steelworkers (USW) says that "the company's decision to terminate the lockout amounts to a confession on the part of the company that the American management and their anti-union lawyers made a mistake originally in forcibly shutting down the plant."
During the lockout, Gerdau workers have received solidarity support from all over the world, including IMF affiliated trade unions in Brazil and dozens of other IMF affiliates.
United Steelworkers and Gerdau Ameristeel are continuing to negotiate at all three company locations -- Beaumont, Texas; Wilton, Iowa; and, St. Paul, Minnesota -- where the previous collective bargaining agreements have expired.
"Unless the American management and lawyers begin to match the union's good faith efforts, there is grave danger that a work stoppage could occur at any or all of these plants early in the New Year," USW says.
"We're pleased to see the end of the lockout, but remain committed to the workers at the Gerdau plants. International solidarity does not end with the dispute," says Rob Johnston, IMF Director for Steel.
The lockout began on May 26 when workers refused to agree to the company's concessionary demands. In a statement, the United Steelworkers (USW) says that "the company's decision to terminate the lockout amounts to a confession on the part of the company that the American management and their anti-union lawyers made a mistake originally in forcibly shutting down the plant."
During the lockout, Gerdau workers have received solidarity support from all over the world, including IMF affiliated trade unions in Brazil and dozens of other IMF affiliates.
United Steelworkers and Gerdau Ameristeel are continuing to negotiate at all three company locations -- Beaumont, Texas; Wilton, Iowa; and, St. Paul, Minnesota -- where the previous collective bargaining agreements have expired.
"Unless the American management and lawyers begin to match the union's good faith efforts, there is grave danger that a work stoppage could occur at any or all of these plants early in the New Year," USW says.
"We're pleased to see the end of the lockout, but remain committed to the workers at the Gerdau plants. International solidarity does not end with the dispute," says Rob Johnston, IMF Director for Steel.