Workers locked out at borax mines in Boron in growing labor

[Mobius]

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2 ... spute.html

Not gold, but mining related.

[diverrick]

In this current enviroment, I don't see the unions winning this one. The market is just no condusive to strike threats. Ad th company knows this, and have just played thier cards. I had my union crushed by my previous employee. They simply threw out the legaly binding contract and hired out all the work to non union work, and we were sent packing.. After we sued, the courts agreed that the company had a right to do what ever it takes to survive, up to and including thowing out the union contract and members. Been there, got layed off. That court decision basically nuetralized any union contract in existance. The union contracts mean nothing if that's the way the courts see it.
I feel for these guys because there is not much more to do out there in Boron, except mining. They will have to pull up roots, walk away from thier homes and move to where there is work, and that is a scarce commodity at this time. Tough time boys.. And it might get tougher before it is all said and done. It sure is a sad state of affairs we are in right now. Heck, even my new job is under threat of closing down now. That's all I need.

[Hoser John]

This sucks,blows and swallows--the rich gettn' richer and the poor ol'workn' slob screwed again. The elite are utilizing the depression to union bust to position themselves for astronomical profits when the depression clears. AKA Rockeffer,Hutton,Crockers,Kennedy,etc----*&^%$#@John

[Mobius]

Y'all hear what Boeing decided? They are expanding their South Carolina plant (as the state does not allow unions). Basically Boeing wanted concessions from the Washington State union, which did not compromise, so the company decided to start manufacturing more airplane parts in SC. I think that Boeing will eventually scale down the WA plants alot. They are paying the SC guys really low wages, some as low as $12/hr, and there are throngs of hungry workers.
http://www.komonews.com/news/boeing/70634317.html

3800 perm jobs in SC
2000 construction jobs

[Hoser John]

In Redding people will kill for a $12 hour job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!John