Metro lighting in Berkeley claims to be a "socially and environmentally correct 'green business'," but on Thursday, August 9, 2007, workers feared caustic alkaline may have been released into the air as a result of unsafe disposal. IWW members and pro-union workers were locked out that morning after complaining about this potentially serious chemical exposure in their workplace.

The lock-out is yet another union-busting move on the part of Christa and Lawrence Grown, co-owners of Metro Lighting. Workers have been taking collective action to improve their working conditions over the past five months and are demanding the following before they return to work:
- Proper clean-up of dispersed chemicals (caustic alkaline) by a certified abatement company
-Certification that the work environment is safe to return to
- Raise pay from $10/hr to $12/hr for sales staff
- Settle age discrimination violation in a timely manner
- Payment for hours not worked due to this labor dispute

Daily pickets are being held from 12-5:00pm in front of Metro Lighting at 2121 San Pablo in Berkeley.

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