Workers at Twin City Tanning in South St. Paul, Minnesota, United States have launched a strike demanding higher wages and safer working conditions. The strike began on October 9, after the union contract expired the night before.
About 65 workers, represented by the Chicago Midwest Regional Joint Board, Workers United Local 150, are on the picket line. The tannery processes raw animal hides into leather that supply to companies like Red Wing Shoes.
Workers say the pay does not match the risks of handling hazardous chemicals such as hydrogen sulfide, sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid.
“The wages that we are getting paid do not value our hard work”
– Carlos Vaños, chemical mixer at Twin City Tanning
The average hourly wage at the tannery is $23.50, said union representative Esau Chavez. The lowest paid wage at the tannery is $21.70 an hour.
One of the employee said over his 8 year tenure with the company, his pay has increased by $4 an hour.
The union is asking for a $1.50 hourly increase in the first year of the contract and 4% or 50 cents increases in the following years.
They are also requesting two more personal days and a $40 weekly attendance bonus. The company has offered smaller increases, which the union rejected.
Workers report long hours of eight to 12 hours a day, often on weekends, wearing heavy protective clothing while operating dangerous machinery. Many have had to purchase their own safety gears because the ones provided by the company are insufficient.
The strike has drawn local support. Labor leaders and elected officials, including State Representative attended a rally showing solidarity.
Union and company officials are scheduled for a second mediation session. The union has stated it is prepared to continue the strike if their demands are not met and plans to raise awareness at Red Wing Shoe locations.
