Local 761 Members in Solidarity with USW in First Contract Strike

Louisville, Ky.

Local 761 members at General Electric's Appliance Park raised $4,000 for steel workers on strike at Ohio Valley Aluminum Co. in Shelbyville, Ky.

The 90 OVACO workers went on strike in June 2007, nearly a year after voting to join the USW.

The workers are struggling to gain a first contract, a problem that would be rectified under the Employee Free Choice Act. EFCA calls for mandatory mediation and arbitration in first contract disputes.

EFCA passed the U.S. House of Representatives and received majority support in the Senate, where a filibuster by Republicans blocked a vote.

In mid-August, the National Labor Relations Board ruled in favor of the workers, upholding unfair labor practice charges the USW had filed. Workers were scheduled to return to work under an NRLB settlement accepted by the company.

"A special thanks to all Local 761 members for your generosity. Once again you have made your union proud," said Local 761 President Tommy Spires.