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Don't Blame RMI Workers for Lockout, Union Asserts"
By George NelsonNILES, Ohio -- With workers at RMI Titanium Co. now in the 13th month of a plant lockout, union leaders said Wednesday they wanted to clear up confusion "caused by the misleading statements and misinformation" from management and executives with the plant's parent company.At a news conference held at the United Steelworkers of America Local 2155 Union Hall in Niles, Local 2155 President Todd Weddell stood before a caricature of the company's president and refuted the company's claims.Timothy G. Rupert, president of RTI International Metals Inc., has said concessions won't affect the plant's current workers, while Richard Vandegrift vice president of operations, has said RMI and RTI management didn't intend to lock workers out and that union members refuse to accept any concessions, preferring the "status quo."Both claims are demonstrably untrue, the union president countered. Weddell said there are $3.5 million worth on concessions on the table -- approximately $6,500 per worker -- and that the union had agreed to concessions, manpower changes and other items totaling $2.38 million. RMI locked out workers in October 2003 after members of USW Locals 2155 and 2155-7 rejected what the company described as its final offer. "We came prepared to bargain. We're prepared to settle this contract," he said. However, no new talks are scheduled. Weddell said the union had agreed to changes that would expand worker flexibility and eliminate some positions through attrition, as well as modifications in pension contributions and health care for new hires, who would be paid according to a lower wage scale. The union also proposed a three-year wage freeze, but the company is demanding a five-year package, Weddell said. "Look at the price of gas. Inflation is probably about 4 percent a year," he remarked.Dennis Brubaker, USWA international representative, noted that two of the key issues in cost savings -- the trade and craft job combinations and health care -- were agreed to prior to the October 2003 lockout. "But they wanted more," Brubaker said. While RMI claimed it had been losing money, he said the company refused to let the union audit the books. He also contended that the company is top-heavy with management. As to the accusation that the union is only interested in maintaining the status quo Ray Raschilla, chairman of USWA Local 2155-7, said the plant employed 513 workers in 1998 and now is down to 265. "So when they say we want to hold on to the jobs of the past, they're not really telling the truth," he said.At the same time as RMI is demanding the concessions from worker, Weddell said Rupert "hasn't sacrificed one dime of his $950,000-plus salary. In addition, RTI's board of directors voted to increase their pay from $35,000 to $60,000 per year, costing shareholders an additional $200,000 annually, and didn't disclose that it had padded Rupert's pension by as much as $96,000 per year. Weddell said the union has requested an investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission to determine whether RTI broke the law.Weddell also said the lockout has been counterproductive for RTI, which continues to lose money for its shareholders. RTI's competitors, which have posted a $25 million profit so far this year,"have chosen labor peace over union busting and are poised to capitalize on the surging titanium market while RMI is running at less than full capacity because of the lockout," he continued, hurting the community and businesses that depend on the paychecks of RMI workers. "Above all, we defied RTI's expectations of caving in and instead we got stronger," he observed. "This lockout makes no sense to the union or to the community. It is completely unfair. It is meant to starve its members into submission."The locked-out workers are getting both local and international support. Weddell reported that the union is still totaling donations from a rally held recently to benefit RMI workers. The money raised will be used to provide financial assistance to workers during the holidays and to assist people "who are in a bind" with mortgages and car loans. "We're going to do our best to make sure that no one loses any possessions," he said.In addition, the lockout has gotten attention around the world. The International Metalworkers Federation -- the European equivalent of the USWA -- posted a story about the lockout on its Web site yesterday. The story also features links to a sample letter to RMI management and a sample letter of solidarity to RMI workers. Weddell also said unions affiliated with RMI customers have expressed their willingness to contact the company. Contact George Nelson at [email protected]"