Concrete mixer drivers on strike in Pocatello, Blackfoot over proposed benefit changes – East Idaho News

POCATELLO — Mixer drivers at two jap Idaho concrete vegetation, in Pocatello and Blackfoot, have gone on strike.

The strikes at Pocatello Prepared Combine, in Pocatello, and Horrocks Prepared Combine, in Blackfoot, are the results of failed contract negotiations between the drivers’ union and the proprietor of the businesses, based on Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Native 983 Jessica Prather.

“The corporate is proposing to do away with their teamster insurance coverage and pension, that they’ve had for nearly 50 years,” Prather instructed EastIdahoNews.com.

The Pocatello plant alone delivers between 500 and 1,000 cubic yards of concrete every day, which means drivers recurrently work 12-plus-hour shifts. In the meanwhile, nonetheless, the onus of these deliveries has fallen on the administration of the businesses.

EastIdahoNews.com known as Pocatello Prepared Combine for remark, however as a result of administration has been compelled to drive mixers, the corporate was not ready to offer remark.

As Prather defined, the union and firm negotiate a brand new collective bargaining settlement every year, since establishing a contract in 1974. However this January, the corporate’s supply drastically elevated insurance coverage prices and included the lack of union worker pension.

“We’re actually simply preventing to maintain what we’ve, they’re actually simply attempting to remove what we’ve,” mixer driver Patrick Francois mentioned. “They’re saying, ‘neglect your cash, it’s gone.’”

The thought was tabled as soon as earlier than, about 10 years in the past the drivers mentioned. Nevertheless it was shortly denied and faraway from negotiations. Now, it’s again. And firm homeowners are refusing to budge and, as Prather mentioned, attempting to “drive (the brand new deal) by.”

Union membership is non-obligatory at each vegetation, with some staff deciding towards membership.

Prather and the opposite hanging drivers in Pocatello consider that these stiff negotiations are an try by possession to dismantle the union on the two amenities.

“We consider that they’re attempting to do away with something connected to the union and the union’s presence,” Prather mentioned.

That opinion is backed up by a proposal not too long ago employed drivers are receiving.

In response to Tony Crombie, who’s a part of the strike regardless of being employed simply two weeks in the past, new hires are being supplied a $10,000 bonus in the event that they deny union membership. Staff that take the supply although, are then discovering out that they won’t obtain their bonus till a brand new deal is reached with the unionized staff.

Prather is hopeful that the proprietor can be keen to return to the negotiation desk shortly. However, she added, the drivers, who voted unanimously towards the supply then unanimously in favor of the strike, are keen to stay on strike till a brand new deal is reached.

“It is a great spot to work, they simply don’t wish to negotiate with the union,” driver Asya Acosta Vigil. “We had no selection however to face up.”

“They’re not asking for a bunch more cash, they simply wish to maintain the advantages that they’ve,” Prather added. “On the finish of the day, these guys love this firm, and love driving mixer vans. They wish to return to work.”

Requested how non-employees may help their trigger, Acosta Vigil mentioned that some folks have dropped off meals and drinks at Pocatello Prepared Combine.

“They will come be part of us if they need, anyone who needs to, we’ll be right here,” she mentioned.