'Solidarity Ride' departs Metropolis, IL, Nov. 17 for NJ corporate hdqs.
METROPOLIS, Ill., Nov. 15, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Locked out USW Local 7-669 members at the Honeywell International Inc. nuclear processing plant will be holding a send-off rally on Wed., Nov. 17, when they depart on two buses for the 17-hour "Solidarity Ride" to their employer's corporate headquarters in Morristown, NJ.
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The send-off rally begins 4:00 pm (CT) at the USW Local 7-669 union hall (North U.S. Rte. 45) across from the Honeywell uranium processing plant. The Solidarity Ride will end the next day with a demonstration outside the company's headquarters at 12:00 Noon (ET). Leaders of the event have asked for a meeting in Morristown with Honeywell President and CEO David Cote.
USW Local 7-669 President Darrell Lillie declared: "We're going to raise our voices with Honeywell's CEO to advocate for a contract offer that doesn't cut healthcare and retiree benefits for active and retired members." The next scheduled negotiating session is Nov. 22 in Metropolis.
WHO: More than 100 USW Local 7-669 locked-out workers boarding two buses with families and union leaders holding banners.
WHAT: Send-off rally for departing buses to Honeywell International Headquarters, 101 Columbia Rd., Morristown, NJ
WHERE: USW Local 7-669 Union Hall; North U.S. Rte. 45; Metropolis, IL
WHEN: Nov. 17, 2010, 4:00 pm (CT). Buses depart at 5:00 pm.
WHY: "Solidarity Ride" by departing buses of locked-out workers traveling to Honeywell headquarters for Nov. 18 demonstration at 12:00 Noon (ET).
The USW says 230 nuclear workers have been locked out from their jobs for 20 weeks since Jun. 28. Leaders of the Solidarity Ride have asked for a face-to-face meeting with Honeywell CEO Dave Cote upon arrival in Morristown. The locked out workers are the only ones in the U.S. who produce first stage commercial fuel for nuclear power plants operating in most of North America.
"We feel that it is time for the top Honeywell management to sit down with us at the bargaining table and do some serious negotiating," Lillie said.
The USW represents about 1,200 workers employed at seven units of Honeywell. Union leaders of some of these locations in other states are joining the demonstration in Morristown. For more information and Solidarity Ride updates: www.usw7-669.com/.
SOURCE United Steelworkers (USW)
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