Union Members Vote Themselves Out Of A Job

**Granite** · 3rd November 2010 04:50 PM

It's official: Olin ammo production to Mississippi

The Olin Corp. announced Wednesday that it will suspend production of centerfire ammunition at its plant in East Alton and re-locate the manufacturing operation to Oxford, Miss.

The move comes less than 24 hours after members of the union representing over Olin 800 workers rejected concessions that would have allowed them to keep their jobs.

"Our focus always has been on ensuring that we continue producing high-quality products for our customers in an increasingly competitive market," president and CEO Joseph D. Rupp said in a prepared statement.

"While I am disappointed that employees represented by the International Association of Machinists chose to reject a proposal that would have allowed us to remain competitive in East Alton, we look forward to expanding our existing operations in Mississippi."

East Alton's second-largest employer, Olin manufactures the centerfire ammunition line for firearms sold under the Winchester brand.
It's official: Olin ammo production to Mississippi

Hmmm...

I wonder if East Alton has jobs to spare so they can absorb eight hundred unemployed people. Probably not, I guess. Oh well, there's always unemployment compensation...I hope.

**Sgt Schultz** · 3rd November 2010 05:05 PM

Originally Posted by JoJoGunne

Hmmm...

I wonder if East Alton has jobs to spare so they can absorb eight hundred unemployed people. Probably not, I guess. Oh well, there's always unemployment compensation...I hope.

East Alton is only a few miles up the road from where I live. I don't know of anyone, regardless of their political leanings who can understand what these workers were thinking. The company has been making it quite clear what was going to happen. The Alton area has enough economic problems and with Olin leaving it is going to be a big blow.

**Macduff** · 3rd November 2010 05:09 PM

Originally Posted by Sgt Schultz

East Alton is only a few miles up the road from where I live. I don't know of anyone, regardless of their political leanings who can understand what these workers were thinking. The company has been making it quite clear what was going to happen. The Alton area has enough economic problems and with Olin leaving it is going to be a big blow.

Too bad the plant wasn't too big to fail.

**Divine Wind** · 3rd November 2010 05:12 PM

I would like to know what concessions they rejected and what the company was offering before jumping to conclusions. I know the anti-unionists here find that hard to swallow, but it is a reasonable request.

**Macduff** · 3rd November 2010 05:13 PM

Originally Posted by Divine Wind

I would like to know what concessions they rejected and what the company was offering before jumping to conclusions. I know the anti-unionists here find that hard to swallow, but it is a reasonable request.

That's a fair point. Asking for more info is rarely unreasonable.

**Sgt Schultz** · 3rd November 2010 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by Divine Wind

I would like to know what concessions they rejected and what the company was offering before jumping to conclusions. I know the anti-unionists here find that hard to swallow, but it is a reasonable request.

The threat of this happening has been going on for a while. Here is an article that talks about it:

Union workers: Olin offer was confusing | company, union, barham - Local News - The Telegraph

Some of the concessions employees were asked to make included wage freezes for seven years, elimination of vacation bonuses and a fifth week of vacation, reduction of shift premiums and no matching contributions from the company to employees' 401(k) plans.

**Macduff** · 3rd November 2010 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by Sgt Schultz

The threat of this happening has been going on for a while. Here is an article that talks about it:

Union workers: Olin offer was confusing | company, union, barham - Local News - The Telegraph

Some of the concessions employees were asked to make included wage freezes for seven years, elimination of vacation bonuses and a fifth week of vacation, reduction of shift premiums and no matching contributions from the company to employees' 401(k) plans.

A fifth week of vacation?

**Sgt Schultz** · 3rd November 2010 05:27 PM

Originally Posted by Macduff

A fifth week of vacation?

Not sure if everyone gets that but both sides really didn't seem to want to come to an agreement on anything. It was pretty much all or nothing from both sides.

**Granite** · 3rd November 2010 05:54 PM

I did a little research on this event. There is quite a lot of information out there. As Sgt. Schultz said, this has been going on for quite some time. In fact, in 2000 there were problems with negotiations and the workers went on strike. From what I've read, though, the union leaders are not at fault here. They tried very hard to come to an agreement with Olin. Ultimately, though, the employees declined the latest agreement.

**NiteGuy** · 3rd November 2010 07:45 PM

Originally Posted by Macduff

A fifth week of vacation?

To which I'm sure the employees responded with "Seven years without a raise?? Elimination of the 401(K) match?? No more shift differential??"

Plus, as one of the union reps said, it looked as if Olin was determined to make the move sooner or later anyway, and this just gives them the excuse to do it sooner. And the union did try to come to an agreement, to keep the jobs there a couple of years longer, but the workers weren't having any of it.