Phone Lines Jammed by Callers Seeking Jobs at Caterpillar

Callers jammed phone lines Tuesday at Caterpillar Inc. after the company advertised in newspapers for skilled factory workers to replace approximately 13,000 striking United Auto Workers.

“We totally underestimated the response,” Caterpillar spokesman Bill Lane said. “We only set up 10 lines and 10 operators. We’re trying to set up more.”

There were so many calls--thousands of them--that many of Illinois Bell’s facilities in the area were overloading, causing delayed dial tones, a spokesman said.

The ads in at least six area newspapers sought welders, machinists, electricians and repairmen--at hourly wages ranging from $16.12 to $17.85. Caterpillar is trying to end the five-month-old strike by forcing workers to return or by hiring replacements.

A company spokesman said striking workers can claim their jobs only before a replacement is hired. After that, they would go on a preferred waiting list.

Thousands of strikers stood outside factory gates Tuesday in East Peoria, Mossville, Mapleton, Decatur, Aurora and Pontiac to discourage anyone from trying to enter.