Greetings,

Want to help?
The Local would greatly appreciate the following:

• Donations with letters of support:
  checks can be made out to:
  IAMAW Local 1555
  9000 Machinist Pl., Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20772-2687.
• Food is always appreciated!
  The picketers make their coffee on the line so canned coffee is appreciated.
• Picket Line Support always helps to maintain morale.
  Picket lines are maintained 24 hours /day at:
  100 Bourne St. Westfield NY 14787

For more information regarding the strike,
please contact Alan Lehman, President IAMAW Local 1555 at 716-499-1530

IAMAW Local 1555 ON STRIKE against Renold Inc.

The 49 skilled machinists of IAMAW Local 1555 went out on strike  after their contract expired on September 27th. According to Alan Lehman, President of Local 1555, the issues revolve around the take back of wages, pension and health insurance for 11 laid-off members and any new hires moving forward. While these employees have been laid off as a result of the economic downturn, there is an additional concern that the company could then lay off the present workforce, take their benefits away and then call them back to work. Most recently, the union discovered that the employer had unilaterally made changes to their health plan without notifying the union, saving themselves premium dollars but maintaining the same employee premium contributions.

Renold is a British owned company with plants in 19 countries. Even with the economic downturn Renold remains a prosperous company (sales are down... down to normal levels). They make steel spindles for the steel industry, gear boxes for subway cars and specialized orders for large industries.

Most recently, replacement workers have been brought in from out of state.

A federal mediator has been brought in to help resolve the dispute. 

Please contact Alan Lehman, President IAMAW Local 1555 at 716-499-1530 for more information regarding the strike.