Consolidated Glass workers go on strike
May 15—Union workers at Consolidated Glass Corporation in New Castle went on strike Tuesday.
The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades workers began their strike movement at the corner of North Liberty Street and North Cedar Street. The company is located at 1150 N. Cedar St.
According to IUPAT District Council 6 Business Rep. Jimmy Taylor, the strike comes following a breakdown in new contract negotiations between the union and management at the glass fabrication factory.
Company leadership did not wish to provide comment when reached for comment Tuesday.
"We had a two-year contract before. We were looking to get another two-year contract," Taylor said.
There are currently 33 union employees at the company, while the 10 to 13 office staff are non-union and not on strike. Taylor said the company offered a contract proposal that was nearly unanimously rejected by union workers Monday.
Following that vote, Taylor said the union offered to continue negotiations while working with a retroactive agreement.
He said once that offer was rejected by the company, the union workers nearly unanimously voted to authorize and begin a strike Tuesday morning.
Taylor said the union requested information from the company important to voting on a new contract, but claims the company did not provide that information.
"They chose not to give it," Taylor claimed.
Taylor said a pending unfair labor practice claim has been filed regarding that information.
He added company leadership tentatively agreed to set up a meeting between the two sides this week, so the strike will last through at least Thursday.
"We always want to get an agreement that the members can ratify. We're hopeful," Taylor said. "Hopefully, we can get this moving in the right direction."
