Gradall exec: Company and union remain in 'a substantial impasse' on new 3-year contract
NEW PHILADELPHIA ‒ Gradall Industries and its union remain at an impasse on a reaching a new three-year contract to end a strike at the plant, company officials say.
The 230 members of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 1285 went out on the picket line at midnight April 14 after voting to reject the company's final contract offer.
The plant is located at 406 Mill Ave. in New Philadelphia and manufactures Gradall excavators and Vacall street sweepers. The excavator is the only excavator produced only in America. Gradall products include steel and aluminum mill maintenance machines, mine scalers, railway maintenance machines and other products.
"It's a little disappointing, to be honest," Michael Haberman, executive vice president of industrial equipment for the Alamo Group, which owns Gradall, said of the current state of negotiations. "We feel we have justified a fairly strong offer, 6% the first year, 5% the second year and 4% the third, for a total of 15%. We feel we justified that by the numbers on inflation, as well as the raises they've received in the last two or three years, as well. So, we're a little disappointed to be fair.
"We are still in a substantial impasse. The disappointing thing for us is that we've taken nothing away in this contract. We have no changes to our existing wellness plan on the healthcare. We're offering no changes at all to that plan. We have added in several other areas to the offer. We're a little surprised."
In addition, the company's proposal added sick pay, increased vacation time and increased life insurance, said Gradall President Mike Popovich.
More on strike: Union workers go on strike at Gradall Industries plant in New Philadelphia
"We're somewhat surprised as to where we are, based on that fact that we quite frankly thought we made a very solid, strong offer for the area and for the workforce," Haberman said. "We value our workforce very much. We've had a long relationship in New Philadelphia, all the way back to 1951. So, we don't take any of this lightly."
“While we prefer to negotiate at the bargaining table and not publicly, we must address some claims made by the company," IAM District 54 President and Directing Business Representative T. Dean Wright Jr. said on Friday. "IAM Local 1285 (District 54) members at Gradall are simply seeking fair market compensation for their skilled and dedicated labor, which they continued to perform through a pandemic to keep this company profitable. We have made progress in three full-day bargaining sessions this week and look forward to continuing to work toward an agreement next week. The IAM’s one and only goal is a fair contract that protects our members, their families and the New Philadelphia community.”
Hiring new employees
A federal mediator has been working with the two sides to reach an agreement.
Gradall has been hiring new employees in recent months. It has brought in around 30 employees in the last 90 days, none of whom is in the union yet because they have not completed their 90-day probationary period.
Gradall has a total of 353 employees and is one of the top 10 employers in Tuscarawas County.
Reach Jon at 330-364-8415 or at jon.baker@timesreporter.com.
This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Gradall Industries, union remain at impasse in negotiations
