AP photo Members of the North Alabama Building Trades Union join the strike line in front of Wise Alloys in Muscle Shoals.

Union contracts expire; some Wise workers strike

LISTERHILL (AP) — Some workers went on strike as union contracts expired Thursday at the Wise Alloys plant in Colbert County that employs 1,000 workers.

"We have no desire to go on strike, but we're left with no options," said Charles Lamon, assistant business manager for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 558.

Labor contracts expired Thursday for most, if not all, of the 11 unions representing the workers and some pickets appeared outside the plant.

Company spokesman Wayne Travers said Wednesday the goal in the negotiations is "a fair and equitable outcome for all parties involved."

Travers did not immediately respond to a phone message Thursday from The Associated Press.

Ken Crowson, a member of the Steelworkers local, said the company appeared to be negotiating with his union but he wonders why other unions are not being considered.

"They're supposed to negotiate with us, but they said they're not negotiating with maintenance," Crowson said. "I don't know how they can do that. I think they should negotiate with everyone. We all just want to be treated fairly."

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