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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 10081996 - C75 -Ag... Contra .� TO-- BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ~— Costa . o, FROM: a Supervisor Tom Torlakson x��____ -�� _ County. � moo• -- --rs sTA,coun`�'; DATE: October 8, 1996 SUBJECT: CONSIDER SUPPORT FOR THE EFFORTS OF THE UNITED STEELWORKERS OF AMERICA TO RESOLVE THE LABOR DISPUTE WITH BRI DGESTONE/FIRESTONE SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDED ACTION: Consider action by the Board of Supervisors to support the United Steelworkers of America in their efforts to resolve the labor dispute with Bridgestone/Firestone including: (1) the adoption of a resolution and (2) referring the matter to the Finance Committee and General Services for consideration of a boycott of Bridgestone/Firestone products by the county. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The United Steel Workers of America has been involved in an ongoing labor dispute with Bridgestone/Firestone. The National Labor Board has issued a directive to the company to rehire all of the union members but Firestone has failed to comply. (Please reference the attached correspondence from the United Steelworkers of America.) The Finance Committee should analyze any fiscal impacts of the proposed boycott. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: X YES SIGNATURE: RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S) ACTION OF BOARD ON October 8, 1996 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED: X OTHER: See Resolution No. 96/542 Attached. VOTE OF SUPERVISORS: X UNANIMOUS(ABSENT ---------- ) AYES: NOES: I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF ABSENT: ABSTAIN: THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. ATTESTED 0 tober 8, 1996 AEPUTY HELOR,CLERK OF TH OA OF ORS A COUNTY INI RATOR BY cc: Robert LaVenture, United Steelworkers of America Tony Enea,County Administrator's Office Bart Gilbert,General Services Department THE BOARD OR SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Adopted this Order on _October 8, 7996 by the following vote: AYES: Supervisors Rogers, Bishop, DeSaulnier, Torlakson, Smith NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None Resolution No. SUBJECT: Bridgestone/Firestone Labor Practises 961542 Whereas four thousand Union members at Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. , were devasted in a 1994-95 unfair labor practice strike; and Whereas after the unfair labor practice strike ended, the company retained temporary replacements and refused to let hundreds of union members return to work; and Whereas the National Labor Relations Board has issued a massive complaint against the company seeking reinstatement of the strikers and tens of millions of dollars in backpay for the victims of the company's unfair labor practices which included discharging strikers, refusing to reinstate unfair labor practices strikers, cutting off accident and sickness benefits to sick and injured non-strikers, and refusing to grant full pension credits to unrecalled strikers; and Whereas Bridgestone/Firestone claims to have "permanently replaced" its employees, which has inflicted untold misery on its American workers; and Whereas Bridgestone/Firestone, while insisting that its American workers take wage and benefit cuts, granted wage increases to its Canadian workers at a plant in Quebec; and Whereas it appears that Bridgestone/Firestone has no intention of negotiating an honorable contract with the Union; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors, County of Contra Costa, SUPPORTS the United Steelworkers of America in their efforts to resolve the labor dispute with Bridgestone/Firestone. I hereby ceRity that this is atrueend correct COPY of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervistas nt the date ShoWn. A TCHELOR,Clerk he oard an n Adm Istr cc: County Administrator Finance Committee (via CAO) General Services Director • •GEORGE BECKER LEO W. GERARD RICHARD H. DAVIS LEON LYNCH _ PRESIDENT SECRETARY-TREASURER VICE-PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT (ADMINISTRATION) (HUMAN AFFAIRS) \\\\\\\\II Uniteb �Pelworkrra of America ih��\�QRKEys��,, DISTRICT NO. 12 3i SUB-DISTRICT No. 3 �i%`• a= 1820 GALINDO STREET, SUITE 240 '''I'�11►I������\\\���1 CONCORD, CALIFORNIA 94520 JACK R. GOLDEN (510) 798-7050 DISTRICT DIRECTOR ® '� FAX (510) 798-4945 August 27, 1996 >r RECEIVED AUG 2 8 1996 �. Tom Torlakson Contra Costa Supervisor, District 5 300 East Leland Road, Suite 100 Pitsburg, California 94565 Dear Supervisor Torlakson: A most dramatic and important challenge faced by the Labor Movement in many years is the dispute with Bridgestone/Firestone. Bridgestone/Firestone, a Japanese owned company, decided to break the traditional pattern of bargaining that had marked civilized negotiations in the Rubber Industry for many years. To force its will on loyal employees, it announced that it was permanently replacing them. It then hired scabs. Thousands of our members at Bridgestone/Firestone still do not have their jobs back, although the strike was called off in May of 1995. The National Labor Relations Board has issued at least two complaints which it alleges the company fired workers illegally. The complaints also allege that the company engaged in a variety of unlawful conduct that prolonged the strike and converted it into an unfair labor practices strike. Some takeaway proposals put forth by the Bridgestone/Firestone negotiators are, as follows: - (1) Company proposes to eliminate daily overtime payment and double time payment for work on Sunday. (2) Company proposes to eliminate traditional American holidays like the 4th of July and Memorial Day. (3) Company proposes mandatory 12-hour workdays. (4) Company proposes the elimination of Joint Labor=Management Committees and Employee Assistance Programs. (5) Company proposes major takeaways in health care coverage. Tom Torlakson Contra Costa Supervisor, District 5 August 27, 1996 The above items do not represent a list inclusive of the company's proposed takeaways. There are many more, however, these represent some more major concessions. Bridgestone/Firestone has repeatedly dragged its corporate feet at every attempt by the' Union to resolve this matter and declined to respond to Union proposals, maintaining its "take it or leave it" posture. This company's use of strikebreakers is possibly the worst in American Labor since the firing of the Air Traffic Controllers in the early 1980s. Bridgestone/Firestone has clearly demonstrated its blatant disregard for the dignity and security of its American employees. have enclosed a resolution that I am requesting be read before the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors, and further requesting that the governing body take action to refuse purchase of Bridgestone or Firestone tires by the Contra Costa County. We must send out a message.loud and clear, "We won't tolerate any foreign-owned company running over American working families and breaking U.S. Labor Laws." appreciate any cooperation and help you can provide. Sincerely yours, Robert LaVenture Legislative-Education Coordinator RL:js Enclosure cc: Jack R. Golden, Director, USWA, District 12 Rudy Garza, Staff Representative, District 12 'TY _ USWA DI !S7 1 :Z SUB — DIE; 7 3 SEP — — 9Es RESOLUTION on Union-Buster Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. Whereas four thousand union members at Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. were devastated In a 1994-95 unfair labor practice strike; and Whereas after the unfair labor practice strike ended, the company retained temporary replacements and refused to let hundreds of union members return to work; and, Whemas the National Labor Relations Board has issued a massive complaint against the company seeking reinstatement of the strikers and tens of millions of dollars in backpay for the victims of the company's unfair labor practices which included discharging strikers, refusing to reinstate unfair labor practices strikers, cutting off Accident & Sickness benefits to sick and injured non-strikers, and refusing to grant full pension credits to unrecalled strikers,; and Whereas Bridgestone/Firestone claims to have "permanently replaced" its employees, a tactic to which it would never resort in Japan and which has inflicted untold misery on its American workers; and, Whereas Bridgestone/Firestone-while insisting that its American workers take wage and benefit cuts, granted wage increases to its Canadian workers at a plant in Quebec-, and Whereas Bridgestone/Firestone-made Firestone tires claim to be "America's tire" but Bridgestone/Firestone continues to import tires from overseas; and, Whereas when Iowa's Governor declared a snow emergency this past Winter, Bridgestone/Firestone insisted that workers at its Des M Oines plant come to work in blizzard conditions; and, Whereas Bridgestone/Firestone has no' intention of negotiating an honorable contract with the Union and that when the parties were close to an agreement in January 1996, made an insulting offer which was worse in many ways than any previously made and which was designed to torpedo a contract; and, Whereas in response to Bridgestone/Firestone's unfair labor practices and anti-worker and anti-union policies, workers, consumers and governmental bodies are pledging not to buy Bridgestbne/Firestone products until Bridgestone/Firestone returns all unfair labor practices strikers to work and settles a contract with the Union; Therefor,? be it resolved that this body refuse to purchase Bridgestone or Firestone tires until all 4,000 union members are returned to work under a contract that provides dignity, equity and security. Be it further resolved that this body will advise neighboring bodies and associates not to purchase Bridgestone or Firestone tires until this conflict is resolved. x.`75 Request to Speak Form ( THREE (3) MINUTE LIMIT) Complete this form and place it in the box near the speakers' rostrum before addressing the Board Named 1)K s ✓/ Loa-r4 1 am speaking for myself_or orgintzatim- Oww of orsanizOn n) CHECK ONE: I wish to speak on Agenda Item #.,E - � Date: ) © /e � F My Winmenta will be: general _.�or._saair�st _ 1 wish to speak on the subjed of - I do not wish to speak but leave these comments for the Board to consider: