At T&W Stamping in Youngstown, Ohio, 25 workers are on the picket line protesting the company’s illegal action. The workers are members of Boilermakers Local 1622, and they’ve filed unfair labor practice charges against T&W with the NLRB.
This is why.
The company and union have been in contract negotiations since November 2023 to renegotiate a successor contract after the previous contract had expired. While the parties worked under the expired terms and conditions of the previous contract, T&W engaged in serious violations against the standards of good faith bargaining. Specifically:
Regressive action: This means the company has essentially removed one of the economic proposals it had previously offered across the table.
Implementation: The company has prematurely implemented a part of its economic proposals prior to the parties reaching impasse (or agreement).
Workers are asking T&W to return to the bargaining table to bargain in good faith.
There is no timeline yet regarding the NLRB’s review of the ULP filing, and workers are committed to continuing their picket until the matter is fully resolved.
“Our union will stand with our brothers and their families at Local 1622 to see this through. We hope the community and others will join us in standing in protest with these hard-working Americans.”
Meet the workers on strike at T&W Stamping who make oil pans for semi trucks and airplanes—and make money for their employer.
These are real people. They’re neighbors, husbands and dads. They have kids and rent and mortgages and everyday bills. And they just want to get back to the bargaining table in good faith—so they can get back to work.
Sean McCollum, 7 years
“I have two little ones at home, a four year old and a nine year old, and I’m trying to show them that you’ve got to stand for something. You can’t just let people walk all over you.”
Sean McCollum is L-1622’s Acting Chairman of Trustees, and he’s worked for T&W for seven years. He’s got two kids—ages four and nine. He says the environment was pretty good when he started with the company. He’s not sure when things began to break down, but it was time to take a stand.
“I have two little ones at home, a four year old and a nine year old, and I’m trying to show them that you’ve got to stand for something,” he says. “You can’t just let people walk all over you.
“We have families. We have goals we want to reach. My kids know I go to work and I work hard, and I want to be able to show them, ‘Look what real hard work does when you put the time in.’
“I just want to be able to get back in and make more money. People are tired and we need to make a stand. We need to be compensated for what we’re doing.”
Corey Shofroth, 20 years
“I’ve been here 20 years and I never thought we would (strike)… Hopefully they come back to the table and meet us in the middle. We’re not asking for a lot.”
Corey Shofroth is L-1622’s Secretary-Treasurer, and he’s a fourth-generation T&W Stamping worker. He says his kids are proud of the stance he’s taking and that he’s lucky to have a side-business with his barbecue catering MoonshineQ. But it’s seasonal, so finances are tight. Like his brothers on the picket line, Corey just wants Jessy and T&W to do the right thing: go back to the bargaining table, bargain in good faith and get everyone back to work.
Frank Fowler, 14 years
“It’s a struggle. I’ve lost my benefits; taken a cut in pay…I’ve made some cutbacks and concessions, but we’ll get by.”
Frank Fowler is L-1622’s Recording Secretary, and he’s worked for T&W Stamping for 14 years. He’s a husband and father, and the strike means he’s going without health insurance, and cutbacks in spending. It’s a struggle, and he just wants Jessy and T&W to do the right thing and get everyone back to work.
T.J. King, 10 years
“For the past 10 years (this job) has been everything. I don’t want to go anywhere else. This was my home, and I love these guys. After 10 years, we’ve built great relationships. We’re like family.”
TJ King has worked for T&W Stamping for 10 years. It’s been his lifeline for 10 years and how he’s supported his wife and five kids—ages eight to 21, with the oldest in college. His co-workers are like family, and after the work they’ve put in for T&W, their treatment feels like a slap in the face. They already don’t make much money—less than the area average for similar industrial work. Yet, he says they were told they’re not worth the money they’re asking.
How you can help
Add #StandWith1622 to your posts supporting Local 1622. Follow social media and share our posts:
Visit their location at 207 N 4 Mile Run Rd, Youngstown, OH 44515 and pick up a picket sign to rally with the workers.
We'll be creating new ways to make our voices heard, and you can help. Check back in this section to see what's next!
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We Stand with Boilermakers Local 1622!
Check out what the media is saying, and read these letters of support
Workers on strike at Austintown T&W Stamping allege bad faith bargaining
Mahoning Matters - April 5, 2024
Workers protest stamping company in Austintown
Austintown News - April 4, 2024
Strike ongoing at T&W Stamping in Austintown, workers allege unfair labor practices
WFMJ - April 3, 2024
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If you have questions about the Boilermakers union, Local 1622 or what’s happening at T&W Stamping in Youngstown, Ohio, please contact us:
Don Hamric
Director of Research & Collective Bargaining
dhamric@boilermakers.org
#StandWith1622
