WHEELING, W.Va. — Union-represented employees of Tecnocap are seeking what they call “fair treatment” from the company. The United Steelworkers announced the employees will hold a peaceful rally just outside the Capitol Theatre in Wheeling Saturday afternoon.
Earlier this week, Tecnocap laid off 51 employees, all of them members of United Steelworkers Local 152M. The union in response has filed complaints of unfair labor practice against the company, saying they refused to negotiate contracts with the union.
More than 50 charges have already been filed by the union against Tecnocap.
“Tecnocap President Paolo Ghigo has regularly mistreated his West Virginia employees,” said West Virginia AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Andy Walters. “The community needs to be aware.”
Tecnocap has a party planned Saturday to celebrate 15 years of business in the country, although USW District 8 Director Larry Ray said there’s bigger issues going on.
“An employer who lays off and mistreats local, loyal employees should be held accountable, not honored,” said Ray.
Sonny Oakland, President of the Marshall-Wetzel-Tyler Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO agrees and says Tecnocap has done a disservice to its workers.
“This company has shown complete disrespect for its hard-working employees,” said Oakland.
The rally for the employees is planned for 5:30 p.m. on Main Street in Wheeling.