IBEW Local 97 (Syracuse NY) Fights for Workers in Interface Solutions Lock-Out

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Interface lockout
Updated: 8/18/2005 10:45:19 PM
By: Al Nall, News 10 Now Web Staff

If you're a member of a union, the parking lot at the Liverpool Holiday Inn was the place to be. After hearing news of the Interface Solutions lockout, supporting unions showed up in force.

"One group doesn't have a job and they don't have the means to buy the products another group is making, it hurts all of us. That the economics of it, but the human side of it is we care about our brother and sisters in labor," said Kate McKenna, President, C.N.Y. Labor Council.

"It's the working people that do the work to produce wealth. And I think America's forgotten about that and I think it happens everyday when we get into negotiations. Companies ratchet down on us harder and harder in the name of profit and it's becoming very unfair," said David Falletta, Local 97 President, I.B.E.W.

The union says the company wants to cut their compensation and benefits. Interface says business costs, taxes and competition are forcing it to become more efficient. But the company hardened the union's resolve after bringing replacement employees to do their jobs.

"It's not a fight against 109 workers. It's a fight against the whole labor movement. So Mr. Fox took on all of us, not just 109 workers. I want him to make no mistake, we're not alone in this fight," said Ed Jofre, U.N.I.T.E. AFL-CIO.

The talks didn't result in a deal, but negotiators say the two sides are closer. Management experts say in a global marketplace companies have an advantage over unions, but add both sides must be flexible to survive.

"Management has to be more willing to share the gains of the operation with the employees who make it possible and the employees have to realize the international competition that we're dealing with and be realistic about their demands. Both sides have to give a little bit and I think at the moment both sides are stuck on the extremes," said Patrick Cihon, Whitman School of Management.

The company and the union return to the bargaining table September 6th.

Interface says many of the concessions it is asking of the union, have already been taken away from salaried employees.

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