Approximately 84 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local 1297 at Libbey Glass in Toledo have been on strike since August 22. The union members are protesting what they describe as unfair labor practices, following unsuccessful contract negotiations with company leadership.
U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) has shown support for the striking workers by joining their picket line and sending a letter to Libbey Glass management. In her communication, Rep. Kaptur called on the company to return to the bargaining table with both 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.”
Union members have cited several concerns leading up to the strike, including mandatory overtime policies limiting family time, reductions in rights and protections for union members, and increasing health insurance costs. According to IAM representatives, Libbey Glass has not engaged in meaningful negotiations or presented an improved contract offer.
