Carpenters protest planned wage cuts
PASCAGOULA -- Before sunup Friday nearly 40 carpenters reported to work at Chevron's Pascagoula Refinery, but they were armed with something other than their tool belts and hard-hats -- they carried picket signs.
The workers are protesting an attempt by United Scaffolding Inc. to do away with union labor beginning July 31 and to cut workers' wages by $2.56 per hour.
Pension, healthcare, vacations and other benefits also could be lost, workers said.
The informational picket Friday was led by Carpenters Local 303 in Pascagoula, which was supported by other Gulf Coast unions.
The carpenters, who provide a wide range of scaffolding needs throughout the refinery, were notified June 2 about the move into using non-union labor.