By a vote of 19 to 6 the members of (Hartford Compressor) Local 354 District 26 walked off the job Monday after weeks of negotiations that failed to produce an acceptable agreement.
  The Company claimed to have no money during negotiations and insists it has taken a loss over the last two and a half years. The Membership believes that the parent corporation is siphoning off money and sending it overseas.

Main issues are:

·       No sick or personal days – salary has 15.

·       Asked for option of a 6:00 AM or 7:00 AM start time.

·       No severance pay

·       Wages – company offered $.00 in 1^st year, $.20 in 2^nd year, $.30 in 3^rd year. Union demand was $.51 in 1^st year, $.52 in 2^nd year, $.53 in 3^rd year.

 The contract ratification was held on 9/30/05 and the company’s last offer was rejected unanimously by all members present and they also authorized strike action. We notified the federal mediator and he suggested that we go for a one day extension and try to work things out.
 After speaking to all concerned, including the membership, it was agreed that the old contract would be extended to Monday, October 3, 2005 to attempt to work something out. After a taffy pulling session all day, the offer was exactly the same as on Friday. The strike officially began at 12:01 AM on Tuesday, October 4, 2005. There is only a 1^st shift operation so we are manning the picket line from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Special thanks to DBR Everett Corey and BR Steve Merrick for their assistance and support.