Gradall officials ‘puzzled’ after striking union members reject latest contract offer

NEW PHILADELPHIA ‒ Members of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 1285 and Gradall Industries remain deadlocked in negotiations as a strike there continues into its fourth week.

Members of the union rejected the company’s latest contract offer on Sunday.

“Based on our negotiations with the union, along with the federal mediator, we are puzzled as to why this extremely strong offer has not been ratified,” said Michael Haberman, executive vice president of industrial equipment for the Alamo Group, which owns Gradall. “The basics of the offer would solidify our employees’ position at the top of the industrial/manufacturing companies in the county.”

The union released a statement through its communications director, Jonathan Battaglia. “IAM Local 1285 (District 54) members at Gradall Industries in New Philadelphia, Ohio, have voted to reject the company’s latest contract offer. The company’s wage and benefit package does not meet the expectations of its dedicated workforce, which worked through a pandemic and continues to make this company profitable. Workers are also struggling with work-life balance to spend time with their families due to the amount of overtime demanded and have concerns about worker safety within the facility. The IAM will continue to stand strong with these dedicated workers as they fight for their families and communities.”

Offer rejected: Union members reject latest contract offer from Gradall Industries

Details of contract offer

Company officials released details on their latest five-year contract offer. They include an 8% pay increase in 2024, 5% in 2025, 3% in 2026, 3% in 2027 and 3.5% in 2028; a freeze on all medical contributions through the end of 2024; and the company would agree to limit mandatory Monday through Saturday overtime hours for non-maintenance employees to 10 hours per week. The first full weekend of each month would be voluntary overtime for non-maintenance employees.

At an impasse: Gradall exec: Company and union remain in ‘a substantial impasse’ on new 3-year contract

The 230 members of the union went out on the picket line at midnight April 14.

Reach Jon at 330-364-8415 or at jon.baker@timesreporter.com.

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