IAM Local 1010 members at the DuPont plant in Ft. Madison, Iowa are doing their part to keep fellow workers and their community safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. The members, who make textile and printing ink, are producing hand sanitizer.
To date, the DuPont Ft. Madison plant has already provided the COVID-19 protectant to employees, contractors, local schools, businesses, and residents in Fort Madison and surrounding areas. The plan is to now produce 7,800 gallons to be shipped to DuPont plants across the country.
“The plant already had all the necessary ingredients in house,” said IAM Local 1010 President Kelley Joe Clark, who has worked at the plant over 40 years. “This effort not only protects DuPont workers, but their families and communities as well. The more we can do to stop the spread of this virus, the better.”
Clark says the mixture is just thin enough to be poured into a spray bottle, which can then be used to sanitize workers’ hands, work stations, and hard surfaces throughout each plant.
Creating new products is what IAM Local 1010 members at DuPont do best, he says.
“Our product line has changed successfully many times over the years. Our plant in the Dupont Corporation is considered the ‘CAN DO PLANT’ because of the pride and work ethic of our members. I am proud of how our members have reacted to the COVID-19 crisis.”
“It’s everyday heroes like the members of IAM Local 1010 that are leading the fight against COVID-19 here in Iowa,” said IAM District 6 Directing Business Representative Randy Krewson. “Thank you to our members at DuPont for your hard work and dedication to Iowa’s working families.”
“Thank you to the members of IAM Local 1010 at the DuPont plant in Ft. Madison,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway. “The transformation of their skills and ingenuity into the production of a much-needed product during this crisis is just one more way IAM members are saving lives across this country every day. They are an inspiration to all in a time when everyone in our union is looking for more ways to do our part in helping bend the curve. Their union couldn’t be more proud.”
