Danly workers reject takebacks

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CICERO, IIl.—The hand-lettered sign on the wall gives the name of a local merchant and announces, "All auto parts available on credit for striking union members. SCABS NEED NOT CALL."

Oversized plastic bags stuffed with bread, platters filled with cheese and cold cuts-this is the strike headquarters of the embattled Local 15271 of the United Steelworkers of America. The headquarters is a tangible display of these steelworkers' resolve to keep up the picket lines as the attacks against them by the courts and the Danly Machine Corp. increase.

Within a one-week period beginning Dec. 30, the members voted down a contract proposal 364 to 6 and then saw Joe Romano, the president of their local, fined $1000 and sentenced to 10 days in jail. Judge Albert Green ruled that Romano violated a June order prohibiting more than five pickets per plant entrance. The judge also fined the union $1000. Further hearings are scheduled.

The Danly attorney exhibited videotapes and photographs showing more than 100 pickets gathered at the plant on July 26, 1984. Romano testified that he had summoned workers that day after Danly had placed a newspaper advertisement seeking permanent replacements for the strikers. It is precisely the "permanent" status of these scabs which is prolonging this strike into its ninth month.

Takeback demands

Danly manufactures large stamping presses for the auto industry. It employed 425 working members of Local 15271 when the strike began. This was down from a 1979 work force of 1300, reflecting the downturn in the auto industry. There are about 400 (continued on page 4, in “Columbia clericals prepare for”)

Black History Month The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. (left) with Malcolm X. For commentary on Black History Month, see page 15.

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ACTION