Approximately 84 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local 1297, District 54, are set to begin a strike at Libbey Glass in Toledo. The strike is scheduled to start on Friday, August 22 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. The union members are protesting what they describe as unfair labor practices after company management failed to negotiate a new contract in good faith.
Union members rejected the company’s most recent contract proposal on August 9. Their concerns include insufficient pay increases, mandatory overtime that limits family time, reductions in union rights and protections, and increased health insurance costs. According to the IAM, Libbey Glass has not resumed meaningful negotiations or presented an improved 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.”
“The entire IAM Union stands united with our Local 1297 members at Libbey Glass,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan. “We are committed to winning a fair contract that reflects the skill, sacrifice and value our members bring to this company every single day.”
The dispute follows financial difficulties for Libbey Glass in recent years; the company emerged from bankruptcy proceedings in 2020.
