Kaiser Replacements File Claims For Wages Workers Say They Haven’T Received Amount They Are Owed

Several temporary replacement workers at Kaiser Aluminum are displeased with what they’ve been paid during the monthlong strike.

Some are so displeased that they’ve filed complaints with the state Department of Labor and Industries about the International Management Assistance Corp., the Cleveland-based firm that hired and pays them.

“We have had five wage complaints filed (in Spokane) against the temporary agency (IMAC) for work done,” said Janis Kerns, an industrial relations agent with L&I. “They’re basically claiming that they have not been paid the wages due.”

Five similar complaints have been filed by temporary workers at Kaiser’s plant in Tacoma.

“I just spent the last week trying to get my check from these people,” said Adam Martensen, a temporary worker at the Mead plant who worked for two weeks, then quit. He said he has signed time slips from his supervisor.

IMAC’s president said the firm is working to remedy the situation. “Anytime you start out, there are bound to be a few administrative problems,” said Daniel Auker. “As we become aware of the problems, we are addressing them. No one is being denied money.”

Martensen said he has called IMAC and offices at the plant. “I’ve been told countless times, the check is in the mail,” he said. “Then I’ve been told they can’t find it.”

Martensen said he worked 83 hours the first week and more the second week. He’s expecting about $3,000 for his work. “I have not received a check at all,” Martensen said, though he said an IMAC supervisor told him Thursday a check had been mailed that day.

IMAC is managing nearly 2,000 replacement workers with Kaiser and other companies.

“Any time someone’s paycheck is not correct, it’s not a minor deal,” Auker said. “We’re addressing the problem as quickly as possible.”

Don Turner, another temporary worker who left Trentwood weeks ago, said he has only received $174 for two weeks’ work at the plant. He claims he was owed about $2,900.

Turner also said he left because he wasn’t getting enough sleep.

“We were working twice as many hours as they said and no one was getting the money they promised,” he said.

While some workers still at the plants also have complained about pay issues, the only claims filed about alleged pay errors have been by those who have already left.

Kerns said Labor and Industries has contacted IMAC and is investigating the pay issues for the workers who have filed complaints.

She said workers who believe they haven’t been paid properly can contact her office in Spokane at 324-2600.

Susan Ashe, a Kaiser spokeswoman, said she didn’t have any information on the paycheck problems and referred questions to IMAC.