Strike lines down: Unions go back to work; Asarco responds
After nine months on strike, officials with the United Steelworkers announced that they made an unconditional offer to return to work to ASARCO. This news came after the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued a complaint against ASARCO alleging numerous violations of federal labor laws. In a letter to union members, the USW explained that NLRB allegations include failure to bargain in good faith, illegally declaring an impasse in negotiations and unilaterally implementing changes to the working conditions.
The strike lines at Ray and Hayden were removed on Monday morning at 6 a.m. as workers left the picket lines to await word if they would allowed to return to their pre-strike positions.
The Union’s decision to end the current Unfair Labor Practices (ULP) strike and by making the unconditional offer to return to work will mean that ASARCO should return the union members to their pre-strike jobs and avoid any further financial penalties for the company. ASARCO has made claims that is has permanently filled the empty positions at all of their locations.
