Valparaiso, Indiana, July 18, 2019 – Indiana Rep. Pete Visclosky will join more than 130 members of Machinists Union Local 2018 for a strike rally at Regal Beloit Manufacturing on Friday, July 19, 2019. The rally is scheduled to begin at 1:30 pm CST outside the Regal Beloit plant located at 2300 Evans Ave, Valparaiso, IN.
The members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) Local 2018 have been on strike since June 30, 2019 – nearly three weeks.
The Union presented the company with a reasonable offer to end the dispute on July 16, 2019. The company, refusing to bargain in good faith, rejected the union’s offer and has refused to counter.
IAM Local 2018 members are striking for affordable health care, better wages and clear break times.
“We found out quite early that Regal wasn’t interested in providing a fair and equitable contract as far as wages and health insurance are concerned,” said lead negotiator and IAMAW Local 2018 Business Representative David Gault. “The cost share that these employees are paying is tremendous. It’s a heavy weight on their shoulders to provide health care to their families. Their wages have been eaten up by increased insurance costs for the past two contracts. We tried to negotiate a fair wage in return, but the company is refusing to bargain in good faith.”
Regal Beloit is a leading manufacturer of electric motors, electrical motion controls, power generation and power transmission products serving markets throughout the world.
IAMAW Local 2018 members employed at Regal’s Valparaiso facility manufacture part bearings for the aerospace industry, including various helicopters for the U.S. government and military.
About the IAMAW
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) is among the largest industrial trade unions in North America and represents nearly 600,000 active and retired members in manufacturing, aerospace, transportation, shipbuilding, woodworking and other industries. For more information, visit www.GoIAM.org.
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