From the IAM web site:

Striking members of Local W369 in Moncure, North Carolina, will return to work at Moncure Plywood with their contract and their dignity intact after ratifying a new three-year contract that preserves seniority rights and sharply restricts the amount of forced overtime employees can be required to work.

“The new contract is a dramatic improvement over the original terms proposed by the company and rejected by the members,” said Local W369 President Lewis Cameron. “Seniority is respected, scheduling issues will be resolved more equitably and most importantly, the workers’ contract is preserved.” The Local W369 Bargaining Committee unanimously recommended a ‘yes’ vote on the new contract.

CONGRATULATIONS TO MEMBERS OF W369!

The proposed changes that triggered the strike, which began on July 20, 2008, were a mandatory 7-day, 60-hour work weeks, the end of seniority rights, huge increases in health insurance premiums, and other significant changes to an agreement that had been in force for over 40 years.

The company went so far as to hire permanent replacement workers and suggested any agreement would depend on the union abandoning the strikers. Management refused to meet with the union or federal mediators.

Through it all, the members of W369 stood strong, walking a picket line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in sunshine and in the rain, in the heat of summer and bitter cold of winter. The strike stretched into four seasons and through Thanksgiving, Christmas, and into the New Year.

Yet the union prevailed because the members held the line.

With the support of labor, student, and community activists from across North Carolina, the members of W369 knew that others stood in solidarity with them. And for eight months, they held the line. Congratulations to the members of W369, and thank you for your courage.

Attend a benefit and help members recover from long strike

You can celebrate the victory of W369 in securing a contract and help its members recover from near financial ruin after the grueling 8-month strike by attending a benefit tonight and on Sunday.

Tonight, the Moncure Solidarity Committee is holding a baked chicken dinner and auction to benefit the strikers. This event will be held from 6 to 9 pm at the General Store Cafe, 39 West St, Pittsboro, NC. Tickets for the dinner are just $15. For more information, download the flyer.

On Sunday, April 5, the Labor Caucus of the Young Democrats of North Carolina is hosting a reception to honor the Moncure strikers.  The reception will be held from 4 to 6 pm at the home of Valerie Johnson, 2905 Alderman Lane, Durham, NC.

Update: Added link to article in News & Observer about the end of the strike.

From Will Cubbison, Chair of the YDNC Labor Caucus:

Join us at a reception in honor of the striking IAMAW Workers in Moncure. They have been on strike for almost 8 months over deplorable working conditions.

This reception will be open to all who can come. We ask that if you are able to please send a check or bring one with you. If you are unable to give (I know times are tough) you are still welcome to join us to honor the heroic efforts these workers are making. We are working on pulling together some special guests, but I can promise that some members of the Union will be on hand to explain their struggle.

Make checks out to IAMAW Local Lodge W369. You can send them to the YDNC Labor Caucus at 220 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, NC 27603. We will be continuously fundraising for these workers until and past this event. We have already raised over $600 and are looking to be able to say that the Young Democrats were able to give significant aid to these workers. There is also talk of organizing a canned food drive, so please stay tuned and get involved.

What: Workers in Moncure have been on strike for almost 8 months. Help them out!

When: Sunday, April 5, 2009 from 4pm – 6:00pm

Where: Home of Valerie Johnson, 2905 Alderman Lane, Durham, NC (map it)

wccubbison@gmail.com

The Moncure Solidarity Committee is organizing a baked chicken dinner and auction to benefit the striking workers at Moncure Plywood:

[Here's] a special invitation to stand up for human rights by coming to the general store in Pittsboro on Wednesday, April 1st, 6-9pm, for a special benefit to support the courageous union members of the International Association of Machinists (IAM) Local W369, now in their 8th month of a strike against moncure plywood.

Raging Grannies and the Moncure Strikers Chorus will provide the entertainment. Gary Phillips has donated his services as the auctioneer. Items to be auctioned include custom lithographs and textiles.

What: Chicken Dinner & Auction to benefit strikers
When: Wednesday, April 1, 2009 from 6-9 pm
Where: General Store Cafe, 39 West St, Pittsboro, NC (map it)

Download the flyer for this event. For more information, contact Richard Paddock 919-260-6848 or Barb Alotis 919-444-1406.

New petition to build political support for strike’s end

The Moncure Solidarity Commission is also launching a petition drive to build political pressure on Atlas Holdings, which owns Moncure Plywood, to negotiate a just end to the strike.

Download the petition and add your name to the list of people calling on our elected officials to do more to bring an end to this strike.