Kaiser Aluminum Confirms Its Understanding That All NLRB Charges to be Dismissed
HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 15, 1999--Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation, the operating subsidiary of Kaiser Aluminum Corporation (NYSE:KLU), indicated today that it understands the Region 32 office of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) intends to recommend dismissal of all charges of unfair labor practices brought against the company by the United Steelworkers of America (USWA). In connection with a labor dispute, the USWA had alleged that the company had not bargained in good faith and that the company's lockout of USWA members in January 1999 was illegal.
Jeremy Sherman, Kaiser's chief negotiator, said "From the outset of bargaining, Kaiser's aim has been to negotiate a new labor agreement with the USWA that provided for increased wages and benefits in exchange for productivity improvements that Kaiser views as essential to its future. Unfortunately, the union has responded to Kaiser's proposals with a strike followed by a series of actions designed to shift attention from these proposals. These tactics on the part of the union have included baseless allegations that the company bargained in bad faith and have involved a corporate campaign designed to undermine the company's reputation with its customers and other audiences. Regrettably but predictably, these union tactics have resulted in little progress at the bargaining table. It was this lack of progress that prompted Kaiser to respond with a lockout in January 1999 when the union sought to return to work under terms and conditions of the expired labor contract.
"The NLRB's proposed dismissal of these charges really puts a spotlight on the union's reliance on diversionary tactics as an attempted subsitute for meaningful progress in the negotiations. As we have said all along, the union's charges were groundless, and we are gratified that the NLRB apparently agrees," said Sherman. "We have also said all along that the only way the dispute will be resolved is at the bargaining table. The ball has been in the union's court for some time to let us know when it wishes to resume bargaining. We hope this development will encourage the union to work with us at the bargaining table to reach a new labor agreement as soon as possible.
"Although we have yet to see the board's decision, it is expected to mean that the union's attempt to obtain back pay dating to the time of the lockout has been rejected by the Region 32 office," said Sherman. "We place no credence in the union's claim that these charges will be found to have merit in a subsequent appeal."
Approximately 3,000 members of the USWA at five of Kaiser's U.S. plants went on strike on Sept. 30, 1998. The company imposed a lockout on Jan. 14, 1999 after the union offered to return to work without a contract. Kaiser has continued to operate the plants since Sept. 30 with salaried employees and other workers. |
