Van Wert is experiencing a hard time in the subject of unemployment. The main issue in Van Wert as of right now is the Kongsberg lock out. Below a fellow employee of Kongsberg explains the difference of a strike and a lock out.

"A lock out is different than a strike. In a strike, we as a union, would vote no on our contract. Then if we took a strike vote and two thirds of the majority present voted to strike then it was our decision not to work. A lock out is similar to a strike. We still picket, but with only six people at a time. We still want to negotiate in good faith. (The means fairness and compromise, talk and bargain with each other.) But in a lock out situation, we as the union were planning to go back to work, but our company wouldn't let us. A lock out is up to a company and shows very poor business relationships with it's employees." -Renee Hartman, a fellow employee of Teleflex/Kongsberg for 31 years.

With the rise in unemployment throughout Van Wert, many would think that it wouldn't harm the community in any way. But the lock out of Kongsberg is hurting a lot of families, which in turn, hurts the community.

Below, a few employees answer some questions regarding the situation at Kongsberg:

How has the Kongsberg lock out affected you?	"I feel sad. Sad to think that we have put so much of ourselves into a company that has truly showed us what they are about. I have made many friends in the 31 years that I've worked there. I feel sad and angry because this company wants us to take a 40% cut, plus now fighting unemployment causing more hardships on people when gas and utilities are so massively high. We are good, hard workers. Hopefully this will open new avenues for each of us." -Renee Hartman
	"I have no money, I'm behind on bills. I personally don't think there is any purpose of a lockout." -Woody Coulter, wife Char is also locked out
What do you think of the rise in unemployment in Van Wert?	"I think it's a shame. Prices keep going up. Employment keeps getting worse. The first year President Bush was in office, 250,000 jobs in Ohio alone were lost. Some officials try to say unemployment is getting better; but it only looks better on paper because most unemployed individuals have run out of unemployment benefits. They are not on the charts anymore, just unemployed." -Renee Hartman
	"I think it is going higher. People are loosing not only their jobs, but their homes; and their livelihood. The community should be trying hard to get new jobs with decent wages and benefits to come to Van Wert. I can speak personally because because my husband and I have both lost our jobs and my husband has to drive out of town for work." -Jane Kriescher, 30 years at Kongsberg/Teleflex.
How do you think the issue with Kongsberg will turn out?	"We are dealing with a company who did not negotiate in good faith. They laid their last and final offer down and that was it! I would hope they will come to their senses and offer us a package not a penny less than what we were making. But they are senseless." -Renee Hartman
	"I think that the companies don't care about their employees anymore. It's all about money; the almighty dollar. I'm not optimistic on this.. God has it all under control." -Sandy Lane, 30 years at Kongsberg/Teleflex.
What is a purpose of a lock out?	"There is no purpose of a lock out other than to show how childish the company is for not getting their way. Kongsberg employees were there to go to work and the company people would not let them in. This was already decided days before our vote not to accept the contract they offered. We must stand up for our rights because as Americans we are losing rights daily." -Renee Hartman
	"Simply, to break the union." -Judy Grubb, U.S.W. Local 1-524 Vice President.
Where do you see Kongsberg in five years?	"Unfortunately, I see it going out of the country unless we as Americans get the NAFTA Laws changed to keep our jobs here in the United States." -Renee Hartman
	"This is a hard question of which no one knows the answer. I don't even think Kongsberg knows." -Jim Kerns, U.S.W. Local 1-524 Rep.

Recently, employees of Kongsberg have come together to write a letter to the Times Bulletin. Here's what it read:

"Thumbs Down,
     To the employees that are "scabbing" into Kongsberg Automotive to work. Some of these scabs are yelling at picketers and telling them, 'At least we have jobs!'. My message to the scabs is the we DO have jobs! We were not fired or laid off. We did not quit but in turn, stood up for our rights as United Steelworkers Union member of Local 1-524. We are fighting to keep our jobs, our quality, and the pay and benefits we deserve. Our workers showed up to work at Kongsberg only to be locked out by a very unfair employer wanting us to take a 40% cut. Yes you scabs are working; working for a company that doesn't care about their dedicated employees, the ones the worked hard to build quality parts.
     So if a picketer seems out of sort when you cross the line just remember, you, as scabs, are doing their jobs, with less pay, no benefits, and definitely less experience, quality, and efficiency.
                            -Renee Hartman"

Click here for the community spotlight featuring Kongsberg Automotive made by Tyler Felver.

 

Picketers standing up for their rights outside of Kongsberg Automotive.	The picketers 'station'.
Kongsberg Automotive windows boarded shut so no pictures or videos can be made.	Who hired the 'scabs' of Kongsberg.
Signs are displayed in employees front yard to let the community know what could happen to them.	A close-up shot of the sign.
The 'scabs' parking lot, guarded with security guards.	The charter bus that carries all of the 'scabs' to work.

Although Van Wert is experiencing a difficult time, many people still have hope that they will get not only their jobs back, but also their lives. Each and every employee of Kongsberg has their own story about the lock out of Kongsberg, and they are all worth the fight to get their jobs back.
 

Last Updated: April 18, 2008
By: alexisstripe and haliminton