Approximately 84 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local 1297 at Libbey Glass in Toledo have voted to reject the company’s contract offer. The union announced that its members will begin a strike on Friday, August 22 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Union members cited concerns over pay, mandatory overtime provisions that limit time with family, and increasing health insurance costs as reasons for rejecting the proposed contract.
T. Dean Wright, Jr., President and Directing Business Representative of IAM District 54, stated, “Libbey Glass management is failing to remember the significant sacrifices our members accepted to bring the company out of bankruptcy and liquidation in 2019. We stand 100% behind our IAM Local 1297 members as they stand strong against corporate greed and in defense of their families and communities.”
David Sullivan, IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President, added, “The entire IAM Union stands shoulder to shoulder with our Local 1297 membership at Libbey Glass. We will use every resource necessary to obtain a contract worthy of our membership’s sacrifices for this company.”
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers represents about 600,000 active and retired workers across several industries in North America, including aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and others in both the United States and Canada.
