United Auto Workers members on strike at two CNH Industrial plants declined to bring the company’s latest offer to a vote.
Union representatives from the Burlington, Iowa, and Racine, Wisconsin, plants met last week in Madison, Wisconsin, with leadership of the manufacturer of Case and New Holland construction equipment at the bargaining table. It was the first time both sides had reportedly met at length since the strike began on May 2, about two months after negotiations began and two days after the previous contract had expired.
During the first round of negotiations, CNH and UAW were apparently not close regarding the economic terms of a new labor agreement. Through the strike, the UAW workers are looking for increased wages, more flexibility on time off, reduced overtime and a safe work environment.
UAW Vice President Chuck Browning said CNH’s latest proposal fell short of the members’ bargaining agenda and as a result was not put up for a vote.
“Our bargainers are meeting with our members and communicating the areas of concern that remain unresolved,” he said. “I understand the company’s frustration that their bargaining strategy to force an inadequate contract down our members' throats remains ineffective.”
Offering no specific comment, Rebecca Fabian, CNH Industrial spokesperson, released a company statement on the status of the strike after negotiations seemed to have slowed yet again following a rejection of what she called the company’s final offer. The two sides reportedly met multiple times on Tuesday, May 17 and Wednesday, May 18.
"Unfortunately, the union declined to meet or allow the company to present and explain its position and proposal and indicated that they would not allow their members to see the proposal," the statement reads. “The union then left and discontinued bargaining. While the union indicated that they were ready to resume the negotiations at the beginning of the week, we were very disappointed in their decision to walk away.”
