Steelworkers ratify contract

LISTERHILL - A new contract was ratified by the United Steelworkers Local 200 on Thursday, clearing the way for full production to resume at the Wise Alloys aluminum operation in Colbert County.

The five-year deal was approved by a 56-44 margin, based on a telephone recording at the local's office in Muscle Shoals.

The Steelworkers represent 330 employees at the Wise Alloys plant on Second Street. They joined a labor strike at the plant Nov. 2, a day after unions representing security guards and the building and trades workers put up picket lines.

Late Monday, a tentative agreement between the Steelworkers and the company was reached, but union membership did not vote to ratify the contract until Thursday.

The vote came after lengthy discussion between members and their leadership.

"We're happy with the outcome, and we're ready to move forward," said Wayne Travers, a spokesman for Wise. "There are a lot of opportunities out there for our company and it's time that we all partner up again and take advantage of our bright future."

Steelworkers representatives could not be reached for comment Thursday night.

"When contracts expire, it sets up conflict with both sides negotiating vigorously on the behalf of their interests," Travers said. "This has been a stressful time for everyone, but the union and management were able to reach a fair and equitable agreement."

Company officials said about 73 percent of the Steelworkers membership reported to work Thursday even though the vote to ratify the contract was not completed until just after 7:30 p.m.

Travers said all of the Steelworkers union membership, which make up the production force at Wise Alloys, is expected to arrive at work on schedule today. "There's no reason to think otherwise," he said.

The 105 members of the operating engineers local also have a contract in place and have been back on the job at the Wise-owned Alabama Reclamation plant on Ford Road. They went on strike Monday morning and reached a tentative agreement later in the day.

Meanwhile, members of the building and trades unions continue to man picket lines at the plant. Their contracts expired Nov. 1, with Wise announcing it will be outsourcing the 200 jobs to private companies.

Most of the maintenance jobs at Wise are now being run by ABB Inc. workers.

Keith Huntley, vice president of the North Alabama Building and Trades Council, said his group had a productive meeting with David F. D'Addario, the company's owner and chief executive officer Tuesday. Wise management and building and trades representatives have a 10 a.m. meeting scheduled today to continue discussions.

Wise officials stress that they are not negotiating a new deal, just discussing certain issues such as employment opportunities with ABB Inc.

Bernie Delinski can be reached at 740-5739 or bernie.delinski@timesdaily.com.