Mike Elk Talks Honeywell Lockout on Democracy Now!

Joe Macaré

Dozens of workers protested at the major U.S. weapons manufacturer Honeywell’s shareholder meeting on Monday. More than 200 workers at Honeywell’s uranium facility in Metropolis, Ill. have been locked out since last June due to stalled contract negotiations with the company on workplace safety, economic and seniority issues. In early March, Honeywell pleaded guilty in federal court to one felony offense for knowingly storing hazardous radioactive waste without a permit in violation of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act,” and was fined $11.8 million by the federal government.

Mike Elk wrote about the lockout and guilty plea for Working In These Times back in March. He appeared on Democracy Now! this morning to talk to Amy Goodman about the dangerous mistakes made by scab” workers brought in by Honeywell and the close ties between the company’s CEO David Cote and President Barack Obama.

Elk also voiced his opinion that even progressive media needs to see lockouts like this as part of a wider struggle, not just as local stories, and says The only reason you’re hearing about this lockout now … is because it is a uranium facility, it’s exciting.”

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Joe Macaré is a writer, editor and development and communications professional, originally hailing from the UK and now residing in Chicago. His writing has appeared at In These Times, TruthOut, AlterNet, Dazed and Confused, The Times, Plan B and Stylus. He has appeared on WBEZ radio and Chicago Newsroom to discuss his extensive coverage of the Occupy Chicago movement.
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