Valley Union Employees Show Their Support

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A number of union employees across the nation are planning to take a stand of solidarity against layoffs.

They are in the middle of contract negotiations with the Merck company, and one plant in New Jersey stands to lose almost 180 employees.

Some union employees at the Merck plant in Elkton plan to wear stickers to show their support of the employees facing layoff.

Ricky Campbell has been with Merck for nearly 31 years, and while he's waiting to hear what's been decided between the union to which he belongs and Merck, he's showing support for those facing layoffs in New Jersey.

"That's what this is about. It's letting everyone know that we are behind we're behind our union leadership," says Campbell.

A union leader says Merck is seeking the right to sub-contract jobs currently held by 179-workers and to bring in lower-paid, non-union workers.

On Monday, employees plan to hold a rally where they will picket and hand out information.

Though it's happening miles away, Merck officials in Elkton are fully aware of the negotiation situation.

Helen Penrod, a Merck spokesperson says, "Locally our management and union negotiating teams, continue to discuss proposals for new collective bargaining agreements."

There is no word at this time if any jobs at the Elkton plant are in jeopardy. Although the rally will take place Monday, a number of union workers are already wearing the stickers.