On Oct. 11, the United Steelworkers stated that approximately 2,000 workers have voted to strike at five ASARCO locations in Arizona and Texas. Rather than accepting the Grupo Mexico subsidiary’s offer, workers have resolved to formally strike against unfair labor practices. 

Union members are angered by ASARCO’s four-year contract proposal. USW District 12 Director Robert LaVenture stated that the proposal offered no wage increase for two-thirds of workers, addressed freezing the existing pension plan,and doubling the out-of-pocket contribution for health care.

The ASARCO production and maintenance workers have been working without a new contract since their former contract expired in November of 2018.

After the USW vote, the union provided a 48 hour notice to terminate an extension agreement that has been in effect since Dec. 1, 2018. Following the agreements termination, USW workers began to picket.

At 11 p.m. on Sunday evening, workers in Ray staged a walk out and began to picket outside the facility.

“Working 12-hour shifts in an open-pit mine, smelter or refinery is difficult and dangerous, and ASARCO employees have not had a wage increase in 10 years,” said LaVenture. “These workers deserve a contract that reflects their contributions.”

In a statement to the press LaVenture said that the USW is willing to resume bargaining and ready to meet as long as necessary to negotiate a fair contract. He urged his management counterparts to make resolving the labor dispute an urgent priority.

“We cannot allow ASARCO managers, even when directed by Grupo executives in Mexico City, to pick and choose which U.S. labor laws and standards apply to them, and the company can’t expect to roll back generations of collective bargaining progress without a fight,” said LaVenture.

ASARCO officials did not respond to the Arizona Silver Belt’s request for comment at this time.