Prior to Aug. 16, the Special Metals company, a supplier of refractory alloys based in New Hartford, had gone almost thirty years without a strike by its employees. Citing excessive and insensitive work hours, however, Special Metals employees organized a strike, which lasted three weeks and ended when an agreement was reached between employees and the company on Sept. 7.
Special Metals is an international company and one of the largest producers of nickel-based alloys in the United States. With year-round operations, Special Metals requires its employees to work sixty hours spread over six days a week, even during the holidays.
Many of the more than 200 employees who took part in the strike cited the strife caused by their working hours as a main source of contention. They demanded to work fewer hours, carrying signs that said “No mandated OT” and “Holidays are for Family.”
Ron Zegarelli, chief steward of the International Association of Machinists Local 2310 Union, said, “[Special Metals] knows what we want […] we want time off.”
David Dugan, Director of Communications for Special Metals, said, “Special Metals negotiated in good faith and made a fair and equitable offer earlier this month.” Negotiations, however, stalled until Sept. 4th and were further delayed by a claim that the striking employees were using unfair labor practices.
During the strike, Special Metals attempted to maintain its production levels by using salaried workers and increasing its reliance on other branches. Zegarelli, however, expressed concern for the safety of the salaried workers, calling the New Hartford plant “very dangerous,” especially for those who lack experience.
Zegarelli said the strikers have enjoyed support in the local community in the form of donated supplies like a truck bed full of water. Zegarelli said he is “proud of our community. I truly appreciate what they are doing for us.”
Some support came from Hamilton College students, including Libby Militello ’22, Political Director of the Hamilton College Democrats. Militello said she joined the picket line in solidarity with the strikers and added that she was motivated to get involved because of her own family’s union connections and the College Democrats’ support for fair working conditions.
Mitello said she had the opportunity to make personal connections and hear stories from the union workers. Additionally, she said that their efforts “just highlight the fact that workers wouldn’t go through all this trouble unless something really needed to change.”
Brooke Kessler ’22, Outreach Director for the Hamilton College Democrats, said she saw the picket line on her way to campus. After doing further online research, Kessler felt obligated to support the union workers by striking alongside them. She said “excessive overtime causes emotional and physical distress to these workers, some of whom have been working at the company for 25, 30 years.”
Kessler added that she thinks it is important to speak up for the rights of employees, especially in the wake of Supreme Court decisions and legislation that have weakened unions.
After almost three weeks of striking, both the union and the Special Metals administration have created a new contract. Specific details of the contract remain unknown, but union officials say that the new contract does address overtime concerns.
