Strike is over: Union agrees to accept latest contract from Gradall
NEW PHILADELPHIA − After more than a month, the strike at Gradall Industrials in New Philadelphia is over. The 230 International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 1285 (District 54) have returned to work. They were seeking seeking higher pay increases and more stable health insurance costs.
The union voted Sunday to accept the company's improved contract offer, according to a news release.
The local 1285 negotiating committee, which unanimously recommended approval of the latest contract offer, worked tirelessly, along with District 54, to obtain a contract that includes improved wages and overtime rules, while increasing pension contributions, according to the release. IAM Local 1285 members at Gradall had been on strike since April 15.
“IAM Local 1285 members at Gradall are going back to work on their own terms,” said IAM District 54 President and Directing Business Representative T. Dean Wright Jr. “I want to thank our membership and their families that stood in solidarity, our district staff and the New Philadelphia community that assisted us in gaining the contract that protects our families and this community.”
IAM members at the facility build excavators that are used across the country.
IAM Local 1285 members at Gradall went on strike for nearly a month in 2018, seeking health insurance concessions, better pay and retirement benefits.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers is one of the largest and most diverse industrial trade unions in North America, representing approximately 600,000 active and retired members in the aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries.
This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Union accepts latest contract, workers return to Gradall
