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February 18, 2005
Governor Rod Blagojevich
IL State Capitol, Room 207
Springfield, IL 62706
Dear Governor Blagojevich:
I am writing you on behalf of the
Myers Industries, Inc. (MII) strike currently going on in Lincoln,
IL. There are approximately 115 employees and their families
affected by this strike, as well as, the peripheral business
community. This strike has being going on for over three months and
management of MII is not responding to anyone's telephone calls,
correspondence, media attempts, etc.
I understand my hands, as well as our
City Council's, are tied in taking sides on this very important
matter because it is a private negotiations issue between an
employer and the employees involved. I have called the CEO Mr. Elvin
Schmidt at 217/735-1241(O) and 217/732-7351(H) and he has not
returned any of my numerous telephone calls. I have, though, met at
least four times with Chief Union Steward Troy Poole of the Local
#644 Carpenters' Union who has expressed the union employees' grave
duress with this impasse. You may reach Mr. Poole at 217/735-2697(H)
and 217/314-0418(Mobile).
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this letter]
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As you know, the City of Lincoln has
lost approximately 200 jobs in 2002 when Lincoln Developmental
Center (now known as Lincoln Estates) was closed and with this
additional loss of striking jobs due to lost work/product orders,
the city and surrounding communities will suffer and are suffering
as I write this letter.
Is there anything you, as the Governor
of this great state, can do to intervene and offer a more expedited
resolution to this unfortunate issue? Please respond as soon as
possible. I may be reached at 217/735-1612(O), 217/732-2144(O-TDD),
217/737-5272(Mobile), and 217/735-1287(FAX).
Thank you for your time and interest
in assisting the City of Lincoln, County of Logan's economic status.
Sincerely,
Mayor Elizabeth A. Davis
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