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Workers on Strike in Hamden for Fair Wages, Affordable Healthcare, and Retirement Security

David C. Dal Zin
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On Friday, March 9, at 11:00 a.m., the press is invited to speak with striking workers at Porcelen Specrail in Hamden. The approximately 60 workers went out on strike earlier this week for fair wages, affordable healthcare, and basic retirement benefits.

The workers, represented by the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) District Council 11, voted to go on strike earlier this month. Their last contract expired in January and the contract extension expired on March 1, 2018.

Currently, the workers at Porcelen Specrail earn about $14.30 an hour on average. However, many of the workers at the low-end of the pay scale make just above minimum wage at $10.40 an hour. The company rejected the workers’ proposal for a 60 cent a year raise. The company also refuses to provide a modest 401(k) so the workers can begin making meager contributions to their retirement.

Their healthcare deductible is an astounding $3,000 for an individual and $10,000 for a family. With annual wages ranging from the low end of about $21,600 a year to the average of $29,700 a year, it makes it impossible for the workers to have affordable health coverage. Additionally, the company wants to increase their workers’ health care premiums to a high of approximately $600 a month for a family plan – that translates to a whopping 33% of the lowest paid workers’ wages just for health care premiums (and 24% of the average workers’ wages).

The IUPAT members at Porcelen Specrail are welders, aluminum fabricators, forklift drivers, and hold many other skilled jobs. They construct fences for many fence manufacturers and powder coat steel so that it may be turned into pots and pans.

What: Workers at Porcelen Specrail on strike for fair wages, affordable healthcare, and basic retirement benefits

When: Friday, March 9, at 11:00 a.m.

Where: Outside Porcelen Specrail, 333 Welton St, Hamden, CT 06517

Who: 66 workers at Porcelen Specrail who are represented by the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) District Council 11

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