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"This has been an epic struggle for our union and the labor and environmental movements in America," said David Foster, District 11 Director of the International United Steelworkers of America (USWA) and ASJE's Honorary Labor Co-chair. "Without the incredible support of the labor movement throughout this country and the inspirational and creative support of environmental organizations and activists, this day would not have come."
After intense final negotiations and binding arbitration, most of the 2,900 Steelworkers locked out of Maxxam-owned Kaiser Aluminum plants for more than twenty-two months returned to work on October 1, 2000, with a new contract. If you have any questions about the new contract, please contact the Steelworkers at (253) 351-0511. While that's a clear victory, during the lockout Maxxam placed "scab" replacement workers in management positions, and Steelworkers active during the dispute are now facing discrimination on the job. ASJE will continue to support them.
This summer the USWA passed a constitutional amendment that in part endorses ASJE by name and opens every local union hall to outreach opportunities.
During the lockout, the Eureka USWA Corporate Campaign office doubled as ASJE space; but the new ASJE office is located in Portland, OR. We hope Portland-area activists will support us with the same spirit of fun and generosity that Humboldt County demonstrated. We also want to introduce to you our Interim Coordinator, Jim Jontz, who will be assisting the Board and Working Groups for the rest of the year.
The Maxxam Working Group holds regular conference calls, and member participation is essential! Currently we're supporting the OTS/FDIC savings and loan case against Maxxam CEO Charles Hurwitz.
Back in the woods, timber worker outreach and education have been integral to saving places like the at-risk ancient Douglas-fir stands growing on steep, fragile hillsides in the Mattole watershed. We strongly encourage active and retired members of the timber community to participate and infuse more diversity into the Maxxam working group (WG). To learn more, contact WG Chairs Jon Youngdahl at (612) 810-8788 (kaiser01@uswa.org) and Karen Pickett at (510) 548-3113 (bach@igc.org). Working groups such as this one empower the members
of ASJE to build labor-environmental solution-crafting teams; they address issues such as global trade, new business initiatives, boycotts, internal communication, public outreach, and Maxxam's activities. Please contact us with any questions.
ASJE, 1125 SE Madison St., Ste. 100,
Portland, OR 97214. Telephone: (503) 736-9777, Fax: (503) 736-9776,
web: www.asje.org and email: info@asje.org