Unions Accuse Nassco of Unfair Negotiations

Union leaders Friday accused National Steel & Shipbuilding Co. of unfair labor practices during negotiations with seven unions representing 2,700 striking workers.

The unions filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board in hopes that the board, if it finds in the unions’ favor, will prohibit the company from hiring permanent replacement workers to cross the picket line, Peter Zschiesche, chairman of the unions’ bargaining committee, said.

Zschiesche said Nassco used unfair tactics when it insisted that the unions accept the company’s wage proposal before bargaining on job security, seniority and other issues.

But Nassco vice president Fred Hallett said the company must keep wages in check to remain competitive.

“The wage issue is so overwhelming to us, we believe we have the legal right to say that is the most important issue and that should be negotiated first,” he said.

The company said its final wage offer was a raise of 25 cents per hour for each year of a five-year contract--a total increase of about 10%. The unions’ latest proposal calls for a 15% raise over three years.

Workers walked off at the only major shipyard on the West Coast on Oct. 1, in the fourth strike since 1981.

A federal mediator brought the company and unions together Tuesday for their only bargaining session since the strike began. While that meeting was in progress, Nassco told reporters it was considering hiring replacement workers.

“They never said that at the bargaining table,” Zschiesche said. “They’re telling the negotiators one thing and telling the employees another through the media.”

Zschiesche said, however, that he does not think the company will hire replacement workers because not enough skilled shipyard workers are available.

Hallett said that the company might not need outside workers because “increasing numbers” of employees were crossing the picket line. He refused to say how many.

Zschiesche said only 10 to 15 workers had returned to their jobs. He criticized the company for urging workers to quit the union.

Despite the lack of progress during the formal bargaining session, union leaders said they felt progress was made in informal talks with the company Thursday and Friday.

“We’re in real hard negotiations right now,” said Jim Archer, negotiator for the electricians.

Those on strike are machinists, carpenters, electricians, ironworkers, operating engineers, painters and Teamsters.