January 14, 2008 IAM District 9, Local 777 has taken on the only hold out from the recent negotiations with the St. Louis auto dealers. Valley Ford in Hazelwood, MO is asking for outrageous concessions from the 18 technicians, service writers and bodymen at the dealership.
GVP Philip J. Gruber pickets with our members on strike at Valley Ford
The strike began on November 1, 2007 when Valley Ford said they wanted to gut paychecks, implement a two tiered wage scale, replace the current pension plan with a no value 401(k) plan, eliminate the employees' family health plan, employee portions for insurance would go as high as $540 per month and other rediculous takeaways.
Jerry Vaughn, who has worked 40 years at Valley Ford, was told by management to pack up your tools and clear everything out. There would be no more contract negotiations with the union.
IAM District 9 Assistant Directing Business Representative Tony Rippeto praised our members saying, "We are extremely proud of our members for standing up for themselves and all the other technicians in the St. Louis metro area."
The fight continues with the support of hundreds of union members from all over St. Louis who have been picketing and holding rallies in order to help our members.
What can you do? Boycott Valley Ford and tell your friends and neighbors about this union busting effort. Call Valley Ford, 314-895-0600, and tell a salesman that you won't be shopping there because of the picket lines. If you are in the market for a Ford car or truck, contact IAM District 9 for the list of other Ford dealerships in the area. When you shop at a union car dealer, let them know that you are there because they are union and that you decided to NOT SHOP Valley Ford because of their union-busting tactics.
