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On January 24, workers at the Stepan chemical company's Fieldsboro, New Jersey plant held a one-day strike to protest the company's refusal to provide basic information regarding grievances. They were locked out. Since then, the 36 employees who organized co-workers at the Fieldsboro plant into United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE) Local 155 have not been allowed to return to work.

Their healthcare coverage has been suspended and replacement workers have been brought in from other Stepan plants. Stepan has not put forth any conditions under which the workers would be allowed to return to work, only commenting that they are tired of game-playing.

Making profits of $1 million in 2005 from the Fieldsboro plant alone, Stepan manufactures chemicals used in a variety of products, from toothpaste to paint. Stepan wants to extend a three-year wage freeze, while cutting sick pay in half and giving away $800,000 in bonuses to its board members. The NLRB is investigating the workers' claim that Stepan's actions violate labor law in its attempt to block unionization, bargaining in bad faith, canceling scheduled wage increases, and locking workers out.

To support Stepan workers, you can send a donation to the "UE Local 155 Solidarity Fund" at 812 Fayette Street, Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428. You can also call Stepan headquarters at 847-446-7500, write to Stepan management at 22 W. Frontage Road, Northfield, Illinois 60093, or email them at jhurlburtt@stepan.com to demand an end to the lockout and respect for the workers.

Expiration Date:
Sun, 04/30/2006 - 6:00pm