ROCKFORD, MICHIGAN -- 150 employees at a Wolverine Worldwide tannery are still on strike in Rockford, with no talks currently planned between the union representing the striking employees (United Food and Commercial Workers -UFCW) and Wolverine Worldwide. Today is the 37th day in which the workers have been on strike.

The most recent updates on the strike:

• On August 15, many of the striking union members picketed a Spartan Stores board meeting in Grand Rapids. Wolverine's CEO is also on the Spartan board and the strikers wanted to take there message to a greater audience than what they reach by picketing outside the Wolverine tannery. This rally was supported by a number of other labor unions that also sent representatives to the picket.
• A food pantry has been setup in Rockford to provide assistance to those who are on strike. Union members are receiving $100 in weekly union strike pay, down from their normal salary of approximately $560 per week.
• Wolverine Worldwide has announced that they have received applications from 600 people who are willing to work as replacements. The company has also accused union members of threatening some of the people crossing the picket line.
• This past Thursday, 200 union members and supporters held a march through Rockford and a rally in order to raise awareness about the strike.
• The union's allegations of unfair labor practices are still pending before the National Labor Relations Board.

For background information on the strike, please consult an earlier Michigan IMC article, Strike at Wolverine Worldwide Tannery Enters Fourth Week in Rockford.