Approximately 1,350 workers represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local 778 at Olin Winchester in Kansas City voted on April 3 to reject a proposed contract from management and begin a strike when their current agreement expires at midnight on April 4.
The union said the company’s offer did not meet member expectations regarding wages, mandatory overtime, and work-life balance. The workers manufacture small arms ammunition for the U.S. military and its allies, which the union describes as a critical role in both company operations and national defense supply chains.
Scott Brown, Directing Business Representative for IAM Local 778, said: “The bargaining committee did not recommend a yes-vote on the company’s offer and the membership showed the same sentiment. The company’s offer to these workers is just not good enough. We are not asking for anything unreasonable, as these workers have not seen wage increases reflective of the economy and have endured countless hours of overtime.”
Sam Cicinelli, IAM Union Midwest Territory General Vice President, also commented: “IAM Local 778 members at Olin-Winchester have the full support and solidarity of the IAM Midwest Territory. These workers are simply asking for what is fair for their hard work and dedication for many years. Our members are not going to settle for less than they deserve.”
IAM Union International President Brian Bryant added: “The decision to strike is always a courageous one, and the members of our union do not make that decision lightly. Union members who stand-up for better, raise the standard for all workers, and the IAM Union is fully behind our Local 778 members who will be walking the picket line for the contract they deserve.”
Picket lines are set to form outside Olin Winchester’s Lake City Army Ammunition Plant starting at midnight as representatives prepare to provide further comment as events unfold. The IAM represents about 600,000 active and retired members across North America in sectors such as aerospace, defense, airlines, railroads, transit, healthcare and automotive.
