Members of IAM Local 1297 have voted to approve a new five-year contract with Libbey Glass, bringing an end to an 18-week strike in Toledo, Ohio. The ratification follows over a year of negotiations between the union and the company.
IAM District 54 President and Directing Business Representative T. Dean Wright, Jr., commented on the outcome:
“I am incredibly proud of the members of IAM Local 1297 and their families. They stood united in solidarity for 18 weeks, making tremendous personal sacrifices, including during the holiday season, to protect one another and the contractual rights they have fought for over decades. I extend my sincere gratitude to each and every one of them. I also wish to thank my staff at IAM District 54, as well as the Libbey shop committee, who worked tirelessly not only during these past four months of the strike but also through the numerous months of negotiations prior to that, in order to safeguard the rights and benefits of our members at Libbey Glass. Additionally, I would like to offer my deepest thanks to the Toledo-area community for their steadfast support throughout the strike, particularly the labor community and UAW Local 12. I would also like to specifically acknowledge the efforts of USW Locals 700T, 65T, 59M, and their members, to secure improved contracts for all workers at Libbey Glass.”
Key elements of the new agreement include an immediate wage increase of more than fourteen percent and further increases in subsequent years. Health insurance premium contributions will remain unchanged for 2026 while maintaining favorable plan design elements in health benefits. Employees will receive a $3,000 signing bonus under this contract.
The agreement preserves premium pay at time-and-a-half for hours worked beyond scheduled shifts within a workday. Workers are entitled to twelve paid holidays annually; eight occur during Christmas and New Year’s.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers represents about 600,000 active and retired members across various industries in North America.
