Columbia, MO – Laborers (LiUNA) Local 955 members at Wildcat Materials ended their strike and went back to work on April 27 after voting unanimously to ratify a new fair contract.
Wildcat Materials originally offered only three percent raises in each of the three years of the contract, but after a week-and-a-half long strike and a full day of negotiations on April 26, the company agreed to 10 percent raises in each of the three years of 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Local 955 members ratified the contract on April 27 and went back to work the same day.
“This drastic increase in wages, after only eight days of striking, proves what we have known all along.” Local 955 Union Representative Andrew Hutchinson said. “Wildcat always had the money to pay these workers – it just took workers and community members standing together and demanding fair wages for fair work.”
Local 955 Business Manager David Riney said: “This win firmly demonstrates that Columbia is a union town. Every worker, no matter their trade or occupation, can win a union if they organize with their peers and community to demand dignity on the job and fair wages for their work.”
SOLIDARITY
“Once again, we have shown the power of solidarity and coming together for our community,” said Drew Amidei, Mid-Missouri Jobs with Justice Organizer. “Our members took to the streets to join picket lines, made calls into Wildcat Materials’ management, sent more than five dozen emails to Wildcat, Inc. and to its parent corporation Gypsum Materials and Supplies.”
In Columbia, St. Louis, and Springfield, Missouri Jobs with Justice leaders delivered letters of support of the Laborers Local 955 members.
“We are proud to see our collective efforts pay off and that Wildcat Management Inc. bosses finally negotiated in good faith,” said Amidei. “When we come together, we win.”
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Local 955 posted to its Facebook page thanking the Columbia community and the broader Labor Movement for their support, including:
- Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe
- Councilwoman Andrea Waner
- Councilman Nick Foster
- Councilman Nick Knoth
- County Commissioner Justin Aldred
- State Representative Doug Mann
- State Representative Kathy Steinhoff
- State Representative Adrian Plank
- State Senate candidate Stephen Webber
- U.S. Senate Candidate Lucas Kunce
- Missouri AFL-CIO
- Mid-Missouri DSA
- United Autoworkers (UAW) Local 2379
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