About 84 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local 1297, part of District 54, remain on strike at Libbey Glass in Toledo. The strike began on August 22, with union members protesting what they describe as unfair labor practices by the company after failed contract negotiations.
U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) has shown support for the striking workers by joining them on the picket line and sending a letter to Libbey Glass management. In her letter, Rep. Kaptur urged the company to return to negotiations with both IAM and the United Steelworkers (USW).
“I understand that Libbey Glass has advanced proposals the unions feel would harm the IAM and USW’s ability to represent their members, remove valid disputes from the grievance and arbitration process, erode protections for workers to exclusively perform their work, and restrict the workers’ ability to strike,” wrote Rep. Kaptur. “I am concerned about these reports, and hope that further negotiation can achieve agreements that foster a new era of labor/management cooperation at Libbey’s Toledo production facilities.”
Union members have raised concerns over mandatory overtime provisions that limit time with family, reductions in rights and protections for union members, and increased health insurance costs. According to IAM representatives, Libbey Glass has not offered improved contract terms or engaged in meaningful discussions with union negotiators.
