Rally for Workers out on Strike for Two Weeks in Hamden
On Friday, March 16, at 8:00 a.m., there will be a rally and short speaking program in support of the workers at Porcelen Specrail in Hamden that have been out on strike for two weeks. The approximately 60 workers went out on strike on March 5 for fair wages, affordable healthcare, and retirement benefits.
Elected officials, workers, and community groups will rally with the workers as they begin collecting donations for the strikers. Speakers will include Connecticut AFL-CIO President Lori Pelletier, Rep. Robyn Porter, Rep. Matt Lesser, and community group leaders.
The workers, represented by the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) District Council 11, are welders, aluminum fabricators, forklift drivers, and hold many other skilled jobs. Their last contract expired in January and the contract extension expired on March 1, 2018.
The workers’ wages range from a low of $10.40/hour to an average of $14.30/hour. The company rejected a proposal for a 60 cent a year raise. In addition to the low pay, the workers receive no retirement benefits whatsoever. Furthermore, premiums for a family health plan eat up 33% of the lowest paid workers pay. And that does not include the $10,000 deductible for a family plan.
What: Rally with workers at Porcelen Specrail who are on strike for fair wages, affordable healthcare, and retirement benefits
When: Friday, March 16, at 8:00 a.m.
Where: Outside Porcelen Specrail, 333 Welton St, Hamden, CT 06517
Who: Connecticut AFL-CIO President Lori Pelletier, Rep. Robyn Porter, Rep. Matt Lesser, workers, and community groups will join the 66 workers at Porcelen Specrail who are represented by the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) District Council 11
Contact:
- IUPAT District Council 11: Wilfredo Vega, Jr., 203-558-1422
- Connecticut AFL-CIO: David C. Dal Zin, 860-550-3113
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