Two days after expiration of the previous six-year labor agreement, United Auto Workers at CNH Industrial plants in Burlington, Iowa, and Racine, Wisconsin, have gone on strike. CNH is the manufacturer of Case and New Holland construction equipment.
The current six-year labor agreement at both the Burlington (UAW Local 807) and Racine (UAW Local 180) facilities expired at midnight on April 30. The agreement covers about 1,100 hourly employees. (For the latest updates on the strike, check equipmentworld.com.)
Negotiations on a new labor agreement at the two facilities began April 4, according to Rebecca Fabian, CNH Industrial North American communications manager. At the time, company officials were expressing some optimism in reaching a fair, equitable and competitive agreement for the workers. She said CNH officials are disappointed that the parties were unable to reach an agreement and that a strike has been called.
"We recognize the union’s decision creates high anxiety among our represented employees in Burlington and Racine, as well as our other employees, our customers, and our community," Fabian states in a release from the company. "We remain committed to reaching an agreement, and we are working to resolve this issue. We will continue to negotiate in good faith and trust that the union will do the same.
Following expiration of the prior agreement on April 30, UAW bargainers agreed to extend the current agreement with an hour-by-hour basis for the two facilities. On May 2, the parties set a deadline of noon CST. Upon reaching the deadline with no agreement in place that met the demands and needs of the workers, both plants went on strike.
“Our members at CNHi strike for the ability to earn a decent living, retire with dignity and establish fair work rules,” said Chuck Browning, vice president and director of the UAW’s Agricultural Implement Department. “We stay committed to bargaining until our members goals are achieved.”
The strike authorization vote was held on April 10. Facebook posts and reports on Farm Equipment indicate that more than 95% of the membership voted in favor of striking, just six days after negotiations had reportedly begun. The vote itself was not for a strike but to authorize one should it be deemed necessary.
