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NEW PHILADELPHIA, Ohio, May 19, 2024 – After more than a month on strike for a fair contract, approximately 230 International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local 1285 (District 54) members at Gradall Industries in New Philadelphia, Ohio have voted today to accept the company’s improved contract offer.
The Local 1285 negotiating committee, which unanimously recommended approval of the latest contract offer, worked tirelessly, along with District 54, to obtain a contract that includes improved wages and overtime rules, while increasing pension contributions. IAM Local 1285 members at Gradall had been on strike since April 15, 2024.
The members will return to work on Sunday, May 19 and Monday, May 20.
“IAM Local 1285 members at Gradall are going back to work on their own terms,” said IAM District 54 President and Directing Business Representative T. Dean Wright Jr. “I want to thank our membership and their families that stood in solidarity, our district staff and the New Philadelphia community that assisted us in gaining the contract that protects our families and this community.”
IAM members at the facility build state-of-the-art excavators that are used across the country.
“It was an honor to work alongside this negotiating committee and our Local 1285 members,” said IAM District 54 Assistant Directing Business Representative Don Riffee Jr. “IAM Local 1285 members look forward to getting back to work and continuing to build world-class products for this company.”
IAM Local 1285 members at Gradall went on strike for nearly a month in 2018 to beat back health insurance concessions and win better pay and retirement benefits.
“The entire IAM was proud to stand with Local 1285 members throughout their fight for the respect they deserve,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan. “They have again reminded us that our union is strongest when our membership determines their futures.”
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers is one of the largest and most diverse industrial trade unions in North America, representing approximately 600,000 active and retired members in the aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries.
