Union heads to Norway to meet with Kongsberg executives

VAN WERT - United Steel Workers local 524 President Aaron Collins and Vice President Judy Grubb are leaving for Norway today to meet representatives from the company that locked them out four months ago.

On April 2, the management of Kongsberg Automotive locked out more than 300 employees. Those employees had voted against ratifying their existing labor contract over disputes about wages and benefits. Following the lockout, management decided to move more than 150 jobs to Mexico. The plant employed 312 people before the lockout.

Collins and Grubb will be joined by union officials from the district, including a negotiator.

Collins had hoped to be able to discuss the lockout and its resolution during the trip, but the company has said those topics will be off limits.

The company said the meetings will not be about the lockout, but about ways to improve productivity and efficiency through cooperation as well as a look at the Norwegian model of labor and management cooperation.

The local contingent will meet with labor union representatives in Oslo, Norway next Tuesday, and meet Kongsberg officials on Wednesday, including CEO Olav Volldal.

"Thursday we're going to tour a couple of their plants with the union officials," Collins said.

The unions in Norway are paying for the groups hotel rooms and providing transportation during the trip.

The group returns Friday morning.

While discouraged by the limited topics of discussion, Collins hopes the trip can lead to some improvement in relations with the company.

"I'm hopeful that something positive comes out of it, but we really don't know," he said.

Collins said dealing with the company has been difficult. The union recently learned that Kongsberg has not paid its portion of a bill for some arbitration that took place in May.

Union members are also waiting on North American Free Trade Agreement benefits that they are qualified for since some Van Wert jobs were sent to Mexico.

"We are qualified for schooling and training," Collins said. "But we're waiting the company to submit a list of names and addresses of employees who are eligible.

"Not only did they lock us out, but they're holding up our benefits," he said.

Collins added that the union just learned it has lost its case with the National Labor Board that accused Kongsberg of bargaining in bad faith and of an illegal lockout.

Collins said the lockout is difficult and frustrating, but the union is committed to continuing its pickets and negotiating efforts.

"We are committed to fighting this company, not only for us but for our community and other workers in this country," he said.