About 84 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local 1297 at Libbey Glass in Toledo, Ohio, will begin a strike on Friday, August 22, at 11:59 p.m. The union is protesting what it describes as unfair labor practices by company leadership after failed contract negotiations.
The decision to strike follows the union members’ rejection of Libbey Glass’s latest contract offer on August 9. Workers have raised concerns about pay rates, mandatory overtime that limits family time, loss of union rights and protections, and increased health insurance costs. According to the union, the company has not made further efforts to negotiate or present 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 previously went through bankruptcy proceedings in 2020 before continuing operations.
