About 84 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local 1297, part of District 54, will begin a strike at Libbey Glass in Toledo on Friday, August 22 at 11:59 p.m. ET. The decision comes after the union accused company leadership of failing to bargain in good faith and not presenting a fair contract offer.
Union members had previously rejected the company’s latest contract proposal on August 9. Their concerns include pay levels they consider inadequate, mandatory overtime policies that they say limit family time, reductions in union rights and protections, and increasing health insurance costs. According to the union, Libbey Glass has not made efforts to resume meaningful negotiations or provide an improved contract 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.”
Libbey Glass emerged from bankruptcy proceedings in 2020. Since then, union representatives say workers have made significant concessions to help stabilize operations.
