A strike by Graniterock cement-mix drivers has broadened as two
more divisions of the company joined the dispute on the
critical
”
15th day.
”
Workers from the Graniterock Aromas Quarry and at the company’s
location in San Jose walked out on Friday, signaling increasing
frustration that now goes beyond members of Teamsters Local 287,
Local 890 and Local 912.
A strike by Graniterock cement-mix drivers has broadened as two more divisions of the company joined the dispute on the critical “15th day.”
Workers from the Graniterock Aromas Quarry and at the company’s location in San Jose walked out on Friday, signaling increasing frustration that now goes beyond members of Teamsters Local 287, Local 890 and Local 912.
The three unions that initially went on strike include drivers from locations in Gilroy, Watsonville, Salinas, Santa Cruz and Seaside. The Gilroy branch’s concrete division most immediately affects San Benito County, said Graniterock President Bruce Woolpert.
The previous five-year deal between the cement-mix truck drivers and Graniterock expired on May 31, Woolpert said.
According to the company’s agreement with the three unions, the Aromas and San Jose divisions – which have contracts independent of the striking concrete drivers – were allowed to join the picket line on the 15th day.
“This is my first day out here, but the 16th day of the strike,” said Albert Camarillo, an employee of the Aromas Quarry. “I’ve been with the company five years. They (the quarry) are operating with a minimum amount of manpower.”
The additions at the outset of the weekend brought the number of employees taking part in the strike – which began July 15 – to more than 150.
About 25 employees on Friday were picketing along Quarry Road, where workers such as operation engineers and oil drivers honored the picket line by joining other striking workers.
“They’re anxious to settle a contract and ready to go back to work as soon as a contract that’s fair and reasonable (has been worked out),” said Local 912 President Joe Fahey.
The primary debate causing dissension is Graniterock’s plan to hire non-union, temporary employees to work when full-time drivers take vacation, both sides have said.
One cement mix driver, who requested anonymity for fear of losing his job, said the construction company’s primary motivation for hiring the temporary employees was to dissuade the union’s existence.
“He (Woolpert) wants to fill empty trucks for one reason and one reason only – to union bust,” the man said.
Woolpert denied the claims. He said Graniterock intends to hire five or six people to form a “fill-in pool,” needed mostly during the summer months.
Other differences in negotiations include wages and healthcare coverage.
“Just give us a cost-of-living raise and leave the rest alone,” said a picketing striker at the Aromas Quarry on Friday. He also requested anonymity.
Woolpert said he has been working to solve the discrepancies during the past two weeks.
“I’m always optimistic people can work things out,” he said.
For now, Fahey – the Local 912 union president – said the offer from Graniterock is not fair.
Woolpert could not estimate losses caused by the strike.
“This is the construction season,” Woolpert said. “This is when people that are building things want to get things done. It (the strike) is not helpful to their businesses at all.”
