Two hundred twenty members of United Steelworkers local 7-699 in Metropolis, Ill., have been locked out by the Honeywell Corporation, owner of the town’s uranium conversion plant, since late June. The dangerous work is now being done by inexperienced scabs, putting the staunchly pro-union town and surrounding communities in peril.
Attempts to slash pensions and health care benefits—which would be eliminated entirely for retirees—sparked the lockout, which was anticipated by the union. Workers started stockpiling essentials like food and child care supplies and effectively countered anti-union slander.
Not only is Honeywell taking advantage of the economic crisis to attack workers’ benefits, the corporation is willing to endanger thousands of lives by locking out the workers with the experience and skill necessary to safely process uranium. To win and defend a decent standard of living—and ensure the general welfare of society—workers need to organize and fight back like the members of local 7-699.
