Winning Economic Security...
In the 1960’s the company and union stabilized its relationship. There were still issues over health andsafety, seniority, promotions, and Welder Repair and Automation Department issues. At least the company stopped challenging the right for the union to exist. There were still bitter conflicts that led to many problems. There were still unresolved issues with unrecognized trades. The 1958 agreement that merged Welder Repair and Automation with Tool and Die and Maintenance classifications led to the members suing Local 897 before the NLRB.
While this was still in process of being resolved, the Local prepared for 1961 negotiations. There was an attempt to resolve the Welder Repair and Automation disputes. Job descriptions seemed to be the best way to resolve these issues. They wanted the establishment of a demarcation committee. The Local also wanted full time union representation to enforce safety and production standards. Outsourcing was already becoming an issue at this time. With no agreement the union went on strike. It lasted two weeks.Thecontract was settled with fully paid health insurance, improved pension, increased wages and improved wages. The membership ratified the contract. This also was the first time that the local had representation at the national negotiating table. There still were many problems within the union with grievances, especially with the Welder Repair members. There were also problems within the union with the leaders looking out for their caucus allies. This led to a large number of trails for dereliction of duty.
With Welder Repairmen not happy with the union involvement with their situation, they stayed uninvolved until Bill Adams as a committeeman started to become involved with their issues and started to help them receive their merit raises. This started to mend the relationship between the two. This led to a political base for Bill Adams and was important to the union’s future.
The plant was still expanding and the membership was growing. The local purchased a new unionhallatthis time. With the increase in size there was also an increase in health and safety issues. Ventilation was quite a problem. Many workers were sick from the weld smoke. The local threatened to strike over this issue. When Chicago walked out over this issue, Buffalo decided it was time for them to move on this issue. There was a lot of disruption again within the local union leadership and the members were again looking to strike.
On November 7th 1964, Local 897 went on strike again. There were a total of 9 local unions on strike causing such a production slow down throughout the system that it led to layoffs at other plants. The cost of unemployment and SUB benefits pushed the parties to resolve their issues.
In 1961 the Fair Employment Practices clause had the union pushing the company to hire more minorities , but the company resisted. The company would only do the minimum of what they had to.The1964 Civil Rights Act would prove that change had to come. Bill Adams was president at this time and he pushed the issue.
In 1967 it was time to negotiate a contract again . The UAW wanted wage increases and benefit improvements. The union especially wanted the SUB benefit to be close to the guaranteed wage. The outsourcing continued. The situation was becoming right for the workers to strike. On September 7, 1967 the local went on strike. It lasted 61 days. There was a lot of community support for the union workers at this time. The company and the union settled on additional holidays and improvements in health insurance.
Good leaders emerged over these years and they negotiated solid contracts. They won more benefits and preserved jobs. The decade had brought significant achievements.