Old-School Labor Brawl Erupts at Ohio Tire Plant

[alp227]

Source: WSJ (Google title for full article)

Dozens of workers at Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. huddled around fire barrels outside the company's manufacturing plant here and jeered as temporary workers were bused in to do their jobs.

The scene this week has taken on the trappings of a 1960s battle: failed mediation, a lockout, sign-waving picketers, replacement workers and accusations flying on both sides. It is unusual at a time of high unemployment and labor peace in the auto industry.

The clash between Cooper and its 1,050 union workers may signal a return to a more combative tone in the America's industrial heartland as manufacturers look to lock in the wage cuts negotiated during the last recession and workers seek to recoup what they ceded.

Three years ago, as the company tried to dig out of a financial hole, Cooper workers represented by the United Steelworkers union agreed to forgo raises and accepted a two-tiered wage system that started new hires at lower wages. Now, with Cooper profitable again, the union has pushed for a return to a single wage rate for all workers and lower health-care costs.

Read more: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204319004577084441182793280.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

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Cooper Tire workers picket outside the Findlay, Ohio, tire plant. (Jeff Bennett/WSJ)

[Arctic Dave]

1. Solidarity my brothers and sisters.

[Citizen Worker]

2. I know what it feels like to be locked out and see scabs cross the picket lines. Despicable class

traitors.

[plumbob]

3. Solidarity indeed. Someone needs to be taking plenty of pictures of

scabs for later identification and blacklisting.

No reason on earth why people who would drink your blood should ever have the privilege of working again.

[No Elephants]

4. Recommended because I hate both new school labor brawls and the WSJ.

[sarcasmo]

5. I am buying Coopers in the spring for our car. Where can I find a list of the

tire sizes this plant makes? Thanks.

[alp227]

12. start here

http://us.coopertire.com/Tire-Safety/Replacement-Tire-Guide/Tire-Size.aspx

[Kingofalldems]

6. K and R for the Union

[jdadd]

7. Solidarity With my Union Bros and sisters....

Retired URW USW Here.....:thumbsup: :fistbump:

[Bozita]

8. Every scab is a contributor to the downward spiral of the ranks of the middle class

[guitar man]

9. "temporary workers" my ass

Call em what they are...fucking SCABS!!!! :grr:

[cap]

10. Ummm....like where is the brawl?

Maybe it's me ... But workers standing around a fire, holding signs, and catcalling scabs is hardly a brawl.

I mean, isnt there supposed to be a bit of pushing and shoving and man handling before you can call it a brawl?

Just wsj twisting the facts

[cap]

11. Ummm....like where is the brawl?

Maybe it's me ... But workers standing around a fire, holding signs, and catcalling scabs is hardly a brawl.

I mean, isnt there supposed to be a bit of pushing and shoving and man handling before you can call it a brawl?

Just wsj twisting the facts

[Hotler]

13. Fucking scabs. eom.

[Brigid]

14. Dear WSJ. writer:

Where the hell did you go to school? You call this a "labor brawl?" Try the Pullman strike, or the 1937 Flint sit-down strike, or the granddaddy of them all, the 1921 Battle of Blair Mountain. Check out wikipedia's "organized labor" portal for further details.