Iron workers strike for higher wages, health benefits

A group of iron workers has left work sites of the Westin Hotel and other construction projects to protest for higher wages, health benefits and better work conditions.

The eight Manchester, Tenn.-based rodbusters began the strike almost six weeks ago, asking for wages to be increased to the national average.

"We’re the lowest in the country," said Jason Reece, who has tied rebar for 18 years. "Everybody’s getting … between $25 and $45 (an hour). We get $15 and $14."

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national average wage for a reinforcing iron and rebar worker is $26.35 an hour. Tennessee's median average hourly wage in 2014 was $20.45.

The group is also concerned with the lack of health benefits despite the dangerous conditions of the job.

"We've got battle scars all over us," Reece said. "It’ll be so hot, like right now, that steel’s sitting in the sun all day and you pick it up and put it on your shoulder; we've got brand marks for life on us."

Carlos Luis, a community organizer for Middle Tennessee Jobs with Justice, said the group's first action was a refused attempt to meet with employer Chad Hillis.

"When they walked off, they quit," the K&D LLC owner said. "I've got contracts; we've got deadlines to make and stuff, you know. No, I don’t want to meet with them."

While the organizers plan to strike until their intentions are met, Hillis plans to run his business without changes.

"What I'm going to do is be glad that they’re gone, kind of weeding out the ones that don’t want to work, that want something for nothing," Hillis said. "We’re just going to keep right on working, doing a good job like we’ve been doing."

Hillis said inexperienced iron workers begin working for $11 an hour and receive raises based on their quality of work.

"If the worker shows up every day, of course he’s going to get raises sooner," he said. "It’s paid on how you work — on your work ethic."

The group is receiving financial support from various organizations, including churches and the Iron Workers Union.

Although the striking iron workers are not unionized, the strike is an attempt to speak for fellow iron workers in the area and help bring higher wages, said Luis, Reece and fellow iron worker Stephon Eckles.

"It’s just so different from what it has to be," Eckles said.

Reach Jen Todd at jtodd1@tennessean.com or on Twitter @jentoddwrites.