About 84 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local 1297 at Libbey Glass in Toledo remain on strike, which began on August 22. The union members are protesting what they describe as unfair labor practices, following failed contract negotiations with company leadership.
U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) has shown support for the striking workers by joining them on the picket line and sending a letter to Libbey Glass management. In her letter, Rep. Kaptur addressed concerns raised by both IAM and United Steelworkers (USW), stating: “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 expressed concern over mandatory overtime policies that limit family time, increased health insurance costs, and what they say is a reduction in rights and protections for both the union and its members. According to union representatives, Libbey Glass has not engaged in meaningful negotiations or provided an improved contract offer.
The strike continues as union members call for fairer terms and a return to bargaining.
