Workers strike

NORWALK — Workers at Borgers USA in Norwalk hit the picket line at 12:01 a.m. Thursday. Workers at the Tier 1 auto-parts supplier voted to authorize a union recognition strike Monday by a 98 percent to 2 percent margin, Workers United said in a release. While a number of workers walked out Thursday, some crossed the line and were on the job, one of the picketers said. "I think where we go from here is we want a quick resolution," Chicago and Midwest Regional Joint Board of Workers United (CMRJB) Assistant Manager Carlos Ginard said Thursday morning from Chicago. "Do what is right. This is something that nobody enjoys ... a maximum statement any worker can make." What next? "We want to go back to work as quickly as possible," he said. "They want the company to see they are not treated fairly. The people in Germany are marking good money and benefits ... We want the same here. I'm not asking for what they get in Germany here. We want fair wages and respect. The only way we can do this is with a union. "Competitive wages and benefits. Nothing unreasonable being asked here. The company should see it as that." Ginard said the CMRJB represents between 14,000 and 15,000 workers in the Midwest and more than 100,000 around the country. "We haven't been reached out yet by the company," Ginard said. "The workers are going to bargain the contract. Which workers? That hasn't been decided yet because we do not have a union yet. "If the company decides to recognized the union then both parties will sit down. From there we will pick bargaining dates and hopefully it will not take too long." Ginard said a letter for recognition was turned in last week. "At first they did not want to take it ... the workers had to leave it on their table. They chose not to respond," he said. On Jan. 15, Borgers workers delivered a letter to Borgers USA CEO Jochen Hamerling, demanding that the company recognize the CMRJB as the exclusive bargaining agent for workers at the plant. However, the company refused, prompting the lopsided strike vote over the holiday weekend, according to the release. According to CMRJB Manager Kathy Hanshew, "(Borgers) workers do their part. They go to work, work hard, and sacrifice time with loved ones, all in the hopes of making a decent wage so they can support themselves and their families. "In voting to strike, these brave workers are putting faith in themselves and choosing to control their own destiny. Their fight is our fight and we are ready for this strike." Workers has plenty to say Thursday morning on the picket line. At one point picketers blocked a truck from entering the driveway. A short time later a Norwalk Police officer informed the picketers they could not block the drive. Workers were led in cheers by a woman on a megaphone. "What time is it," she yelled. "Union time," they responded. "What do we want? Justice. When do we want it? Now. 1-2-3-4, we won't take it anymore." One worker on the line has been at Borgers since it opened its doors. "I acutally put this place together," he said. "I was one of the first people here. I spent two months in Germany training for this place ... every year they say it will get better. The insurance is worse every year. "It's still the same (the pay) from when I started until now. I haven't gotten a raise since my first year here." Another worker said the problem is $13 an hour, while another said it was favoritism. When contacted by the Reflector a person answering the phone said Borgers did not wish to comment.