One of the main concerns expressed by workers at Schnitzer Steel was that the pay structure did not reflect seniority. Now that Schnitzer Steel is a part of the IBEW 280, workers and organizers at IBEW 280 are working together to draw up a contract to present to management. We will continue to nurture strong relationships with our workforce and foster a supportive workplace culture.” The statement continues, saying that Schnitzer is “committed to fostering a workplace environment founded on respect, transparency and open communication,” and “our employees’ decision to join the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 280 does not impact this commitment. When Eugene Weekly asked about their thoughts on Schnitzer Steel joining IBEW, management responded with a written statement that says the company is driven by its core values of safety, sustainability and integrity. Management at Schnitzer Steel didn’t seem thrilled at the thought of a union, according to Wilde, but it also didn’t really get in the way, either. “After meeting with Zac, we started hearing the facts, and I said to my coworkers, ‘We all have similar values, and if we stand together we can do this,’” St. IBEW 280 covers Lane, Linn, Benton, Marion, Yamhill, Polk, Crook, Jefferson and Deschutes counties, and has more than 1,900 members.Īccording to the Economic Policy Institute, “Between October 2021 and September 2022, the National Labor Relations Board saw a 53 percent increase in union election petitions, the highest single-year increase since fiscal year 2016.” And the think tank says, “Evidence suggests that in 2022 more than 60 million workers wanted to join a union, but couldn’t.” IBEW represents about 820,000 members and retirees who work in a variety of fields ranging from manufacturing to telecommunications. Founded in 1891, IBEW is one of the oldest and largest unions in the country. “We consider the work Schnitzer Steel workers do as definitely being under the IBEW umbrella, so we were happy to help,” IBEW 280 organizer Zac Bakke says. Within two months Schnitzer Steel workers held an election to form a union on June 6. After some chatter among coworkers the workers of Schnitzer Steel made a call to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) asking for some guidance. “We were definitely inspired by the union stuff happening across the country,” Schnitzer Steel crane operator Justin St. Other coworkers at Schnitzer Steels echoed the same sentiment: I love my job but I want to be better compensated for it. “Except for the pay.” Wilde has worked at Schnitzer Steel for six years and says he didn’t receive an official pay raise until about a month ago.
“I have little to complain about, honestly,” Wilde says. Martie Wilde loves his job as a burner for Schnitzer Steel.
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