NEW PHILADELPHIA, OH - Nearly 200 workers at Gradall Industries, Inc., went on strike Monday after overwhelmingly rejecting a so-called “last, best and final offer” from the company, according to a prepared statement from the workers’ union.þþThe members belong to the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 1285, District 54.þþUnion spokesman John Carr, speaking from his Cincinnati office, said the company wants the ability to have health benefits that fluctuate in coverage and cost annually, beginning in August. The company’s proposal also would bar employees’ spouses from participating in the company’s family medical plan if they could get insurance from their employers.þþGradall President Michael Haberman said that the Alamo group health care plan to which Carr referred has been in place at Gradall since August 2016, and has been in accordance with the last two bargained contracts.þþ“It is identical to the plan that all nonunion Gradall employees, as well as Alamo Group US employees, work under,” Haberman said. “That’s approximately 3,000 people. In addition, the contract offered various caps to the plan with regard to possible increases that no other Alamo group employees are offered.”þþGradall is owned by Alamo Group Inc., which is headquartered in Seguin, Texas.þþThe company rejected a medical plan, offered by the union, that would have saved the company and employees money, Carr said.þþManagement disputes the claim.þþ“Although the union did offer a separate medical plan, based on a thorough review, in no way was that offer less expensive to either party,” Haberman said.þþ“It is our intention to ensure Gradall remains highly competitive in our area in terms of both wages and benefits, both to retain current and hire new employees,” Haberman said. “In the last 13 months, Gradall has hired 46 new employees, which certainly speaks to the competitiveness of our plants.”þþThe union and the negotiating committee notified the company that they remain ready, willing, and able to return to the bargaining table when the company is prepared to seriously address the issues and concerns of the members, according to the union’s statement. Gradall has indicated they will do so on Wednesday.þþ“The members of Local 1285 have the full support of IAM District 54, the Eastern Territory General Vice President Jimmy Conigliaro, Sr., and the entire Eastern Territory staff,” said President and Directing Business Representative T. Dean Wright, Jr. “These men and women are willing to stay out as long as it takes to get a fair and equitable contract.”þþThe union’s last contract with the company expired March 17, 2017. Health insurance was a key issue when that contract was approved.þþPolice had the Street Department block public access to the section of Mill Avenue SW where striking workers gathered Monday morning, their vehicles parked off the road on private property and at the city’s skate park.þþPolice Chief Michael Goodwin said the road is closed between S. Broadway and Bank Lane to prevent safety problems.þþDuring past Gradall strikes, sharp objects had been thrown on the road to puncture tires, Goodwin said. In one case, a fake stick of dynamite was thrown into a guard shack, causing panic.þþDriving a vehicle past the road closure signs carries a potential fine of $144, Goodwin said.þþThe blockage prevents traffic from legally entering the city’s skate park. Goodwin said the park is still open to the public, although visitors must arrive without motor vehicles.
Source: timesreporter.com
