Approximately 84 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local 1297, part of District 54, are set to begin a strike at Libbey Glass in Toledo. The strike will start at 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, August 22, following disagreements over contract negotiations.
The union members rejected the company’s latest contract proposal on August 9. Their concerns include insufficient pay increases, mandatory overtime that affects family time, loss of union rights and protections, and increased health insurance costs. According to union representatives, Libbey Glass has not made further efforts to negotiate or improve its offer since then.
“IAM Local 1297 members have made tremendous sacrifices for this company after it came out of bankruptcy and liquidation in 2020,” said IAM District 54 President and Directing Business Representative T. Dean Wright, Jr. “These members, their families and this community have been left with no choice but to take to the streets to protest the company’s unfair labor practices, protect the members’ rights and demand fairness, respect and dignity.”
David Sullivan, IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President, added: “The entire IAM Union stands united with our Local 1297 members at Libbey Glass. We are committed to winning a fair contract that reflects the skill, sacrifice and value our members bring to this company every single day.”
Libbey Glass previously went through bankruptcy proceedings in 2020 but continued operations afterward.
