Strike ends at compounding plant

Strikes are pretty rare events these days -- according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were only 15 lockouts or strikes in the United States in 2008. With the economy slumping this year, the number is probably even lower. So it's notable that there were a few strikes in the plastics industry this year. The Plastics Blog has already noted the strike at Co. Inc.'s Terre Haute, Ind., plant in July and August. That strike lasted 40 days. The second strike was more recent, and shorter. According to the Sandusky, Ohio, Register, workers at A. Schulman Inc.'s Bellevue, Ohio, plant went on strike on Dec. 7. They voted to end the strike on Dec. 23, although they won't return to work until Jan. 4, after the holiday break. The workers now have a new 3-year contract. The Register story paraphrases comments from a union official, who said Schulman management wrongly assumed that the terrible economy would prevent workers from striking. I have to believe that most employers would be surprised these days if workers went on strike.