Posted by REPORTER on 3/3/2006, 6:01 am The 33 production workers voted last week to end the strike, which started Aug. 12. Financial concerns prompted many of the workers to make the move, especially since unemployment insurance was about to run out for many of them, the union said. "We've been out there for the worst months of the year in Rochester, and the people of my membership had decisions to make on how this would impact their families," said Jeff Siddons, chief steward for IUE-CWA Local 81331. "But they're firm in their belief that the company will have to answer for labor charges they've already been found guilty of." The workers were protesting the Ogden company's appeal of a National Labor Relations Board ruling that the company was engaging in certain unfair labor practices over contract negotiations. Caldwell had hired 45 temporary workers to maintain productivity during the strike, said John Brown, Caldwell's vice president of human resources. About 10 of those workers will remain at the plant. Since the strike began, four workers crossed the picket line. Two other strikers will retire, and another striker has since found another job. Bill Carson, a striking worker from Penfield, said his unemployment check and the financial help he got from the union almost made up for his lost paycheck. But with his jobless benefits running out, Carson had begun to think about a part-time job. "We've done as much as we could at this point," he said. According to the NLRB ruling in June, Caldwell officials didn't give the union information needed in the contract negotiations. And they offered a final contract when the union said it wasn't finished negotiating. Caldwell officials are appealing a part of the ruling that said the company should pay wages and benefits from the expired contract until a new one is agreed upon, believing they had provided a solid offer. "We remain willing to resume negotiations at any time," Brown said.
172.147.250.93
Caldwell production workers to end strike
Money concerns cited as factor in decision
Joy Davia
Staff writer
(March 3, 2006) — Caldwell Manufacturing union employees will return to work Monday, ending a strike that has lasted almost seven months.
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