Simpson Strong-Tie Strike In Stockton Spills Over To Pleasanton

PLEASANTON, CA — A workers strike that began in Stockton has carried over to Pleasanton. Simpson Manufacturing Company Inc. announced Friday that a strike was initiated Sept. 5 by one of the two unions representing a majority of hourly plant employees in its Stockton facility. Tuesday the walkout continued, with union members striking in Stockton, and union supporters turning out in front of the company's Pleasanton headquarters at 5956 W Las Positas to demonstrate.

Members of SMART Local 104, which is based in San Ramon, contend that Simpson is shorting them on a recent contract offer covering pensions, health care and wages. Three-hundred-and-nineteen union workers at Simpson Strong-Tie in south Stockton walked out, according to SMART Local 104 assistant business manager Sal Rotolo. No one in the Pleasanton location walked off the job. Instead, Rololo said the people in Pleasanton are demonstrating in support of the Stockton workers. The Bay Area is home to many union members, according to Rotolo.

Bruce Lewis, Simpson’s vice president, branch manager, in Stockton, said in an emailed statement to Patch, “Negotiations are a normal part of the labor relations process, and we hope to find a mutually beneficial solution as quickly as possible. We value all of our employees and providing them with fair wages and benefits. We hope to come to an agreement soon and return to business as usual."

SMART 104 members are most upset with the current health care offering from Simpson, but are ready to go back to the negotiating table, Rotolo said. Contract negotiations are expected to resume Thursday or Friday.

"We really want to get this resolved," Rotolo said.

The Simpson headquarters in Pleasanton is next to Hart Middle School. Tuesday, the school sent a notice to Hart families:

"At one of our neighboring businesses near the corner of Willow Road and West Las Positas there is currently a strike going on. While we do not believe the strike poses any safety risk, we have spoken to the business to ensure that their activity does not interfere with students who bike or walk home. ...," said Hart Middle School principal Caroline Fields.

In a released statement, Simpson said non-union employees are working regular business hours and the company is moving forward with its contingency plan to process orders at the Stockton facility. Currently, the company expects a minimal impact on operations and production costs resulting from the strike.