Beneath the shadow of an overpass in Seattle’s industrial district, a sea of black-and-yellow jackets signalled strike action by locked-out workers of Mauser Packaging Solutions. Joined by national Teamsters President Sean O'Brien, Teamsters Local 117 members had taken to the streets to demand an end to the company’s "shameless union busting."
The rally on Tuesday 22 April at the Industrial Container Services (ICS) facility drew hundreds, including not the Teamsters President, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, and rank-and-file members from dozens of local unions.
“This company is no match against our rank-and-file,” Boston-based O’Brien said to thunderous applause. “Mauser should be ashamed. These workers are the backbone of the operation, and locking them out in the middle of negotiations is a disgrace. We’re not going away — we’re going to fight until justice is served.”
The lockout, imposed during contract negotiations, came after Mauser drastically cut hours and falsely claimed a slowdown in business. The affected workers, who repurpose steel barrels in hazardous conditions, have been on the picket line since.
“We’re constantly inhaling toxic fumes and dust,” said Josue Calvario, a five-year Mauser worker. “All we’re asking for is livable wages and hours that let us pay our bills and keep a roof over our heads.”
Liam Roney, Vice President of the Seattle Fire Fighters Union, who joined the picket in solidarity with the Mauser workers said the Teamsters union had improved work conditions and wages for generations of workers. “My grandfather used to talk about the ‘No Irish Need Apply’ signs in Seattle, how they pushed immigrants into hazardous, low-paying work," he said. "Today, those same jobs are desirable because unions changed everything. The Teamsters helped organize Seattle Fire Fighters over a century ago, and they’re still in the streets demanding dignity, reminding us that workers are not disposable."
He added: "Seattle is a union town. When workers are pushed out, we push back.”
