美国国家公共电台 NPR 2-Tiered Wages Under Fire: Workers Challenge Unequal Pay For Equal Work

 

NOEL KING, HOST:

It's been a long time coming, but paychecks are finally getting bigger. It's one of the ripple¹ effects of the tight job market, which we are exploring all this week. NPR's Scott Horsley has this story.

SCOTT HORSLEY, BYLINE²: For almost 150 years, the Kohler Co. has been a fixture³ along the Sheboygan River in Wisconsin. Best known for its bathtubs and faucets⁴, Kohler also makes decorative⁵ tile and industrial engines - solid products and solid jobs. For decades, Courtney Hering's family has been part of the Kohler story.

COURTNEY HERING: My mother, she's been here 39 years. Two of my uncles - one works in the foundry. My dad worked here for 14 years. And my grandfather on my dad's side, he worked here as well.

HORSLEY: I met up with Hering at the local union hall in Sheboygan. She moved back to this Midwestern manufacturing hub after a stint⁶ in the Marine⁷ Corps⁸ in North Carolina. She got a job in Kohler's distribution center, moving finished faucets and unfinished brass⁹. Her starting pay was about $11.50 an hour. It was only after she'd been working at Kohler for a couple of years that Hering came to a startling realization¹⁰ - many of her colleagues doing exactly the same work were paid nearly twice as much as she was.

HERING: It really did open my eyes to see what was really happening and how much of an opportunity I was actually missing, compared to what I thought I was getting. It made me realize, oh, man, this is a huge gap.

HORSLEY: That gap was a kind of hangover from the Great Recession. Back in 2010, Kohler adopted a two-tiered wage scale, and workers like Hering, who were hired after that, were stuck for years on a much lower track for both pay and benefits. A lot of companies made similar moves during the recession, most notably¹¹ the big three automakers. Workers didn't have much power to resist when the economy was in free fall.

(SOUNDBITE OF MONTAGE)

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER #1: Seven-hundred seventy-seven points lower on the Dow.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER #2: There's massive layoffs¹² and the shuttering of facilities.

JIM ZARROLI, BYLINE: There were steep declines in manufacturing, retail¹³, even government.

HORSLEY: George Cooper, who now drives a truck for Kohler, remembers that period as a desperate time.

GEORGE COOPER: They were shutting down plants like the buildings was on fire, you know. And then the housing market took a tank. There's a lot of people that just went without jobs, and trust me, I was one of them.

HORSLEY: Still, Cooper says it was frustrating¹⁴ when he got a job with Kohler two years ago, long after the recession was over, and found that two-tiered contract had locked in lower wages. Cooper realized his pay and benefits were no match for those of other drivers doing the same work.

COOPER: Didn't matter how long I was there; I was never going to reach that same peak plateau that they did.

HORSLEY: Courtney Hering saw similar friction¹⁵ in the distribution center, where newer, lower-paid workers grumbled¹⁶ at being asked to do the same level of work for less.

HERING: Then you end up having your cliques¹⁷ because, oh, they're Tier A, and we're Tier B, and we shouldn't do the same type of work. They would just tell you, flat-out, well, why should I do the same amount of work as that Tier A that's been there 20 years?

HORSLEY: That kind of division not only hurts morale¹⁸, it can also splinter union solidarity¹⁹. But in Kohler's case, the two-tiered wage scale became a rallying cry, as veteran workers joined the fight to boost pay for their newer colleagues. Tim Tayloe, who led that battle, started working for Kohler in the mid-1980s, forging molten metal into solid fixtures²⁰ and a solid middle-class lifestyle.

TIM TAYLOE: I started in the foundry, pouring iron in the foundry. And at that time, it was hard to get in at Kohler. It was the place to work - good benefits, good money, good everything.

HORSLEY: Five years ago, Tayloe was elected president of the local union, and he was determined²¹ to restore that good pay and benefits for new Kohler workers. In the lobby of the union hall, Tayloe built a kind of shrine²² to past labor²³ battles, complete with a picket²⁴ sign from the middle of the last century, when American unions were at the peak of their bargaining power.

TAYLOE: This was out of somebody's garage - the UAW on strike. That was 1954. We just don't want it to be forgotten, you know. They fought for our future.

HORSLEY: Kohler workers mounted their own strike in 2015, and it lasted more than a month. When it was over, they had narrowed the gap in the two-tiered wage scale, but they hadn't closed it entirely²⁵. Then last year, Kohler was back at the bargaining table, even though its contract still had a year to run. By this time, the economy was humming, and Kohler was having trouble filling jobs. In December, the company agreed to a new five-year contract that effectively phases out the two-tiered wage scale by 2023 and gives new workers better benefits, as well. Tayloe says you can see the turnaround in the Kohler parking lot and a new attitude at union meetings.

TAYLOE: Second shift meetings are usually the younger ones, and you see them talking now, and, hey, I'm buying a car. Hey, I got a little extra money; I'm going to go invest this a little for the future.

HORSLEY: So what's changed in the nine years since Kohler first imposed the two-tiered wage scale? In a word, leverage²⁶. Unemployment in Sheboygan has tumbled to around 2.5%, and some Kohler employees were defecting to nearby companies, like Sargento cheese and Johnsonville brats²⁷. Tayloe says that put workers in a much stronger bargaining position.

TAYLOE: That's what it's about. It's negotiated; nobody hands it to you. You've got to negotiate for these wages and benefits.

HORSLEY: Kohler declined to comment for this story, but when the new contract was signed, CEO David Kohler said in a statement, we are proud to be an employer of choice in Sheboygan County. Other companies are also phasing out two-tiered wages, including the big three automakers. A Ford²⁸ executive called the unequal pay a distraction²⁹ on the factory floor. But other companies are still moving in the opposite direction. For example, UPS just adopted a contract that puts new drivers on a lower pay scale. And this winter, the new owner of a locomotive plant in Pennsylvania tried to cut pay for new workers by almost 40%; that's now in mediation³⁰.

For now, more than 2,000 Kohler workers in Wisconsin are celebrating their new contract. Courtney Hering, who's getting married next year, is planning a slightly more lavish³¹ wedding reception, and she says the mood's improved on the factory floor.

HERING: You could tell there was a lot of happy people, a lot of them. Production went up. People are wanting to stay for more overtime³² because they know that it's worth their time now, so they're actually able to go out and do more things or save up for something.

HORSLEY: Hering's thinking about buying a house someday. And after seven years at Kohler, she finally feels like she's found a professional home.

HERING: I was told, don't go in a factory. Don't go in a factory. You're not going to have a life there. It feels like I do, and I'm getting somewhere. So I could see myself being here for my career. My family's been in it for at least 40-plus years, so I'd like to kind of continue that tradition.

HORSLEY: Long after the recovery began, a tight labor market has finally given workers the leverage they need to demand a larger slice of the nation's growing economic pie. Scott Horsley, NPR News.

(SOUNDBITE OF DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE'S "TITLE TRACK")

1 ripple   

n.涟波，涟漪，波纹，粗钢梳；vt.使...起涟漪，使起波纹； vi.呈波浪状，起伏前进

参考例句：

• The pebble made a ripple on the surface of the lake.石子在湖面上激起一个涟漪。
• The small ripple split upon the beach.小小的涟漪卷来，碎在沙滩上。

2 byline   

n.署名；v.署名

参考例句：

• His byline was absent as well.他的署名也不见了。
• We wish to thank the author of this article which carries no byline.我们要感谢这篇文章的那位没有署名的作者。

3 fixture   

n.固定设备；预定日期；比赛时间；定期存款

参考例句：

• Lighting fixture must be installed at once.必须立即安装照明设备。
• The cordless kettle may now be a fixture in most kitchens.无绳电热水壶现在可能是多数厨房的固定设备。

4 faucets   

n.水龙头( faucet的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Water faucets shall be chrome-plated type with ball valve. 水龙头外表为铬镀层。 来自互联网
• The plumber came that afternoon and fixed the faucets in some minutes. 当天下午，管子工来了，几分钟内便把水龙头安装好。 来自互联网

5 decorative   

adj.装饰的，可作装饰的

参考例句：

• This ware is suitable for decorative purpose but unsuitable for utility.这种器皿中看不中用。
• The style is ornate and highly decorative.这种风格很华丽，而且装饰效果很好。

6 stint   

v.节省，限制，停止；n.舍不得化，节约，限制；连续不断的一段时间从事某件事

参考例句：

• He lavished money on his children without stint.他在孩子们身上花钱毫不吝惜。
• We hope that you will not stint your criticism.我们希望您不吝指教。

7 marine   

adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵

参考例句：

• Marine creatures are those which live in the sea. 海洋生物是生存在海里的生物。
• When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。

8 corps   

n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组

参考例句：

• The medical corps were cited for bravery in combat.医疗队由于在战场上的英勇表现而受嘉奖。
• When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。

9 brass   

n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器

参考例句：

• Many of the workers play in the factory's brass band.许多工人都在工厂铜管乐队中演奏。
• Brass is formed by the fusion of copper and zinc.黄铜是通过铜和锌的熔合而成的。

10 realization   

n.实现；认识到，深刻了解

参考例句：

• We shall gladly lend every effort in our power toward its realization.我们将乐意为它的实现而竭尽全力。
• He came to the realization that he would never make a good teacher.他逐渐认识到自己永远不会成为好老师。

11 notably   

adv.值得注意地，显著地，尤其地，特别地

参考例句：

• Many students were absent,notably the monitor.许多学生缺席，特别是连班长也没来。
• A notably short,silver-haired man,he plays basketball with his staff several times a week.他个子明显较为矮小，一头银发，每周都会和他的员工一起打几次篮球。

12 layoffs   

临时解雇( layoff的名词复数 )； 停工，停止活动

参考例句：

• Textile companies announced 2000 fresh layoffs last week. 各纺织公司上周宣布再次裁员两千人。
• Stock prices broke when the firm suddenly announced layoffs. 当公司突然宣布裁员时，股票价格便大跌

13 retail   

v./n.零售；adv.以零售价格

参考例句：

• In this shop they retail tobacco and sweets.这家铺子零售香烟和糖果。
• These shoes retail at 10 yuan a pair.这些鞋子零卖10元一双。

14 frustrating   

adj.产生挫折的，使人沮丧的，令人泄气的v.使不成功( frustrate的现在分词 )；挫败；使受挫折；令人沮丧

参考例句：

• It's frustrating to have to wait so long. 要等这么长时间，真令人懊恼。
• It was a demeaning and ultimately frustrating experience. 那是一次有失颜面并且令人沮丧至极的经历。 来自《简明英汉词典》

15 friction   

n.摩擦，摩擦力

参考例句：

• When Joan returned to work,the friction between them increased.琼回来工作后，他们之间的摩擦加剧了。
• Friction acts on moving bodies and brings them to a stop.摩擦力作用于运动着的物体，并使其停止。

16 grumbled   

抱怨( grumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 发牢骚； 咕哝； 发哼声

参考例句：

• He grumbled at the low pay offered to him. 他抱怨给他的工资低。
• The heat was sweltering, and the men grumbled fiercely over their work. 天热得让人发昏，水手们边干活边发着牢骚。

17 cliques   

n.小集团，小圈子，派系( clique的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• All traitorous persons and cliques came to no good end. 所有的叛徒及叛徒集团都没好下场。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• They formed cliques and carried arms expansion and war preparations. 他们拉帮结派，扩军备战。 来自互联网

18 morale   

n.道德准则，士气，斗志

参考例句：

• The morale of the enemy troops is sinking lower every day.敌军的士气日益低落。
• He tried to bolster up their morale.他尽力鼓舞他们的士气。

19 solidarity   

n.团结；休戚相关

参考例句：

• They must preserve their solidarity.他们必须维护他们的团结。
• The solidarity among China's various nationalities is as firm as a rock.中国各族人民之间的团结坚如磐石。

20 fixtures   

（房屋等的）固定装置( fixture的名词复数 )； 如（浴盆、抽水马桶）； 固定在某位置的人或物； （定期定点举行的）体育活动

参考例句：

• The insurance policy covers the building and any fixtures contained therein. 保险单为这座大楼及其中所有的设施保了险。
• The fixtures had already been sold and the sum divided. 固定设备已经卖了，钱也分了。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹

21 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

22 shrine   

n.圣地，神龛，庙；v.将...置于神龛内，把...奉为神圣

参考例句：

• The shrine was an object of pilgrimage.这处圣地是人们朝圣的目的地。
• They bowed down before the shrine.他们在神龛前鞠躬示敬。

23 labor   

n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦

参考例句：

• We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
• He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后，他已经疲惫不堪了。

24 picket   

n.纠察队；警戒哨；v.设置纠察线；布置警卫

参考例句：

• They marched to the factory and formed a picket.他们向工厂前进,并组成了纠察队。
• Some of the union members did not want to picket.工会的一些会员不想担任罢工纠察员。

25 entirely   

ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地

参考例句：

• The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。
• His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。

26 leverage   

n.力量，影响；杠杆作用，杠杆的力量

参考例句：

• We'll have to use leverage to move this huge rock.我们不得不借助杠杆之力来移动这块巨石。
• He failed in the project because he could gain no leverage. 因为他没有影响力，他的计划失败了。

27 brats   

n.调皮捣蛋的孩子( brat的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• I've been waiting to get my hands on you brats. 我等着干你们这些小毛头已经很久了。 来自电影对白
• The charming family had turned into a parcel of brats. 那个可爱的家庭一下子变成了一窝臭小子。 来自互联网

28 Ford   

n.浅滩，水浅可涉处；v.涉水，涉过

参考例句：

• They were guarding the bridge,so we forded the river.他们驻守在那座桥上，所以我们只能涉水过河。
• If you decide to ford a stream,be extremely careful.如果已决定要涉过小溪，必须极度小心。

29 distraction   

n.精神涣散，精神不集中，消遣，娱乐

参考例句：

• Total concentration is required with no distractions.要全神贯注，不能有丝毫分神。
• Their national distraction is going to the disco.他们的全民消遣就是去蹦迪。

30 mediation   

n.调解

参考例句：

• The dispute was settled by mediation of the third country. 这场争端通过第三国的斡旋而得以解决。
• The dispute was settled by mediation. 经调解使争端得以解决。

31 lavish   

adj.无节制的；浪费的；vt.慷慨地给予，挥霍

参考例句：

• He despised people who were lavish with their praises.他看不起那些阿谀奉承的人。
• The sets and costumes are lavish.布景和服装极尽奢华。

32 overtime   

adj.超时的，加班的；adv.加班地

参考例句：

• They are working overtime to finish the work.为了完成任务他们正在加班加点地工作。
• He was paid for the overtime he worked.他领到了加班费。