Century Aluminum Subsidiary and Steelworkers Announce Contract Extension

[jeremy]

You know people have been working there for more than 40 years. There the ones that have kept the plant going for all those years. The plant run very well and was profitable. These people worked all the kinks out of the place. It run better then than it does since century has taken over. You know I beleive in cutting cost. I dont think it should have to come out of people who made the place last this long. Century owes the people a fair contract one that does not take away anything. It is hard enough to make it now why make it harder. you can start saving money century if you would listen to some of the older people who work there. You could cut alot of cost by doing that. These people are for the whole plant not just for one or two. I believe that is the fair and just way to handle this. Give them a fair contract, you can afford it.

[mee]

Dick wrote:

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ashamed unique choice of words. Now where is that casket ? Oh yeah in the road causing unsafe driving! Nice!

it's making a point Dick. only thing unsafe was the driver.

[mee]

Dick wrote:

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that's it keep acting like children and do more stupid things this will help get your "message" out.

I don't feel "Steelworker" is acting like a child, he is stating his opinion. Don't criticize his feelings just because you don't agree w/ them.

[Matt D]

If you all hate Century so much, then quit. Any American company public company that isn't concerned with profits (greed) isn't around for long. I'm so sick and tired of hearing union people babble about greed and poor benefits. Is it any wonder all of America's jobs are being shipped overseas? What would YOU do if you owned a company that was consistently having to pay high taxes, high labor costs compared the the world labor market, more and more health benefits, catering to union thugs like you....just ship operations elsewhere and be done with it. Union workers don't appreciate the work, obviously.

[meea]

Matt D wrote:

If you all hate Century so much, then quit. Any American company public company that isn't concerned with profits (greed) isn't around for long. I'm so sick and tired of hearing union people babble about greed and poor benefits. Is it any wonder all of America's jobs are being shipped overseas? What would YOU do if you owned a company that was consistently having to pay high taxes, high labor costs compared the the world labor market, more and more health benefits, catering to union thugs like you....just ship operations elsewhere and be done with it. Union workers don't appreciate the work, obviously.

Obviously you don't know the whole situation. If things weren't so bad then why did everyone vote to not accept the contract? I mean literally everyone but 2 people out of like 400. So that proves how crappy the contract offered by the company is. It is not greed but fairness. Cowards and fools will work for nothing but if everyone sticks together they can at least get a fair deal. By the way, what the union is asking for is not greedy at all it is just fair, plain and simple.

[Happy in Cloverport]

My father has worked there for 31 years. I think the people at century deserve to keep their pay and keep their insurance. I also think it is sad when people who are not involved in the matter have such harsh things to say.

[dee]

Wow, I love it when people say "you should be glad to have your "well paying" job! Your job could go overseas to cheaper labor. YEAH AND SO COULD YOURS. Can you live on less that $100 a month? They do in China. But We don't live in China, we live in the US. When we were hired the company said they'd give us a certain wage, pay part of our insurance and give us retirement.

Now that a LARGE group is ready to retire and need insurance, the company wants to change the deal for the HOURLY workers.

Those of you that think it's a great paying job, come work for a week. MOST of you won't make it. It's HOT, dirty, you breathe dangerous gases all day.(The company has been fined a few times.) The ground water is poisoned, but hey it's "safe."

Now after holding up their part for 20, 30, 40 years, the company says. "S@$!W Y@O" and wants to take $4 a hour. AND lower insurance benfits and increase insurance cost. AND drop benefits for those who are ready to retire. And wants to "contract" jobs.(Which means hey we'll hire someone untrained and worry about the danger later.)

OH I forgot, if you are willing to come work out in the gym a hour each day either before you 12+ hour shift or after your 12+ hour shift we will lower your insurance costs. After all "we" (the company) is really concerned about employees health after allowing them to breathe and drink all those great chemicals!

AND SURE, we 40+ 50+, 60+ year olds really want to spend 14+ hours going to, coming from, and working. HEY we don't need any sleep!

AND YES we agreed to work there, but we didn't agree to the cut in pay, increase in work load, and increase dangers that we are priviledged to face every day.

Yes, our jobs will be shipped to another country, as will most of yours. Companies ship jobs out of country, yearly. And those of you who think it can't happen to you are STUPID. Whether you make $10 or $20 or $30, an hour. Any job can be shipped or someone can be shipped in to do your job.

My answer to that is SO WHAT IS YOUR POINT? Besides stating the obvious?

As Americans, we should think about where we spend our money. You keep buying those cheap products and soon you will be unemployed too.

Companies can make money in the US, and pay good salaries. They need to listen to their employees and become more efficent.

Happy healthy employees help the company make more money.

It really is an integry issue. Century workers aren't asking for anything other than what was agreed to by the company.

And sadly, only the union seems to hold them to their promise.(I haven't seen many in government caring for us.)(AND by the way, government workers average more than Century workers and get their retirements!)

[Happy in Cloverport]

Well said Dee!!!

[worker 6668]

Betty wrote:

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stop! At the end of the day you have and do make great money!
Where is the unuion when the company us isn't making money?? Oh wait out pickettig while the CEOs try to find a way to work things out with the union. Hhhmmm. Think about it we make great money and yes things aren't gonna be the same but century does care about it's union! Now what again is it you are doing to try to help preserve the union jobs. Think about all the families this effects not just one person. Yes change is hard. But going with out pay is even harder .

No Betty ...not out striking...They shut us down and I have been on unemployment and going to school. Thank You Bill Clinton

[Chris]

I have been laid off from Century Aluminum for over three years, its been tuff but not unmanagable. I would like to go back to work with a fair contract for sure. However, I would love to see Century honor their word and give the retirees what they have already paid for with thier sweat. I mean years ago when they voted yes on them contracts Im pretty sure retirement benefits was part of the deal. Nothing more nothing less is really acceptable if I may say so myself. I have no problem with a man getting what he can get for himself and his faimly its human nature,but even a hyena will leave a bone with a little meat on it once in a while . I worked at Century for twelve years and never could understand why only a few top company employees got rediculous amounts of bonuses and the people working in the elements were left to wonder and worrie if they would keep what they had at contract time or when they retired. I did like my job and was lucky to have it but that bonus money should have been used to insure all Century employees a better future and not just a few.