Local Unions Protest at Alcoa

On Thursday August 30th every Alcoa entrance was manned with picketers, and from the amount of tooting horns they were well supported. They were protesting the fact that inside Alcoa were a group of workers that should be local. Instead, according to some of the picketers, the workers are from Mexico on work visas, although this cannot be confirmed. It is confirmed, however, that the workers are there through a firm called CCC out of Texas, and that is certainly not local either way.

The Local 440 had a major presence, although there were people from other labor unions such as the 322. They all agreed that Alcoa should hire local. Many talked about the fact that local workers spend money in the community, money that will not get spent here by out of towners.

Philly Terrance, President of the Local 440 and Mark Mitchell, District Council Delegate for 440, said the purpose of the picket is to show Alcoa that they will not let this slide. Alcoa has another big project coming up and picketers believe if they let this go, Alcoa will continue down the path of bringing in cheap out of town labor.

See Labor Day Parade Article for updates on the protest.