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Approximately 84 members of the IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) Local 1297 (District 54) at Libbey Glass in Toledo are still on strike since Friday, Aug. 22 to protest the company’s unfair labor practices after company leadership failed to bargain in good faith and propose a fair contract offer to its employees.
U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) recently joined the picket line and sent a letter urging Libbey Glass management urging their return to the negotiating table with the 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.”
IAM Local 1297 members at Libbey Glass have cited mandatory overtime provisions that restrict time with family, stripping the union and members of rights and protections, and rising health insurance costs. The company has refused to engage in meaningful negotiations or offer an improved contract to IAM Union members.
“Our members at Libbey Glass deserve nothing less than dignity, respect, and a contract that protects their rights on the job,” said IAM District 54 President and Directing Business Representative T. Dean Wright, Jr. “We call on Libbey Glass management to come back to the table and negotiate in good faith. Our members have made tremendous sacrifices to keep this company strong, and now the company must bargain in faith to reach a fair contract.”
