Workers to continue strike

LISTERHILL - Maintenance workers who are protesting the outsourcing of their jobs at Wise Alloys will continue to walk the picket line today instead of celebrating Thanksgiving with family.

Meanwhile, ABB, the company that now handles maintenance at the plant on Second Street, continues to hire workers.

The company's maintenance employees were asked by Wise to apply for positions with ABB.

Maintenance workers, most of whom are represented by the building and trades union, consist of about 200 people. They were among the first to man picket lines at the plant Nov. 1 when their contract with Wise expired.

Charles Lamon, assistant business manager for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers local 558, said the building and trades workers and machinists plan to continue their picket line for an indefinite period of time.

He said the locals affected by the outsourcing of jobs haven't seen any movement from the company in more than a week.

"We have kept asking them throughout this process to work with us and get us back in there so we can do what we do best, which is providing maintenance on their machines," Lamon said. "The company appears committed to working with ABB. By their actions, they're saying they are not going to deal with us."

Wise Alloys representatives were unavailable for comment.

"We have heard overtures that there could be a few positions that might be available with ABB, but as far as I know, none of the building and trades or machinists have gone to work with them."

Dave Biros, director of business development for ABB, said the company plans to have 126 people for the maintenance positions.

"We're very excited about our workforce. We've been able to attract some of the best talent in the Shoals area," Biros said. "They're qualified, ready to work and are already making a difference. We're really proud of how they've stepped up to the plate during this transition, and we're all working hard to help make Wise successful."

There are 13 former Wise employees who have been hired at the plant under ABB, Biros said.

"We set out to recruit the best possible people from the Shoals, and that's exactly what we've done and are continuing to do. We're glad to be working with such talented, driven people. We have every expectation that we'll achieve the improvement goals we've set with Wise," he said.

Lamon said he and other members of the building and trades unions are receiving reports that production inside the plant is lagging because of delays generated by the lack of maintenance expertise. He stressed that information has not been confirmed, "but we're hearing it a lot."

Lamon said the short-term strategy for the maintenance workers is to continue the picket line.

"They remain fully committed," he said. "Even those who have had to accept jobs elsewhere remain committed. They're still coming in and manning the picket line as they can.

"These are good people with good families, and they have worked hard all their lives. That's all they're asking for now, a chance to continue to do good work."

Kenda Williams can be reached at 740-5720 or kenda.williams@timesdaily.com.

Managing Editor Mike Goens contributed to this report.