Mack Trucks Employees Go On Strike After Rejecting Contract
Mack Trucks employees have gone on strike after rejecting the proposed contract presented by their employer. The strike, which started Saturday, involves approximately 4,500 employees in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Wisconsin.
The Mack Trucks workers are represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM). This union is seeking an improved contract, and has identified several issues that it would like to see addressed. These included wages, worker safety, health care plans, and job security.
The new contract reflects modest gains, such as an additional 20 cents-per-hour raise for the highest seniority employees. However, the union believes that it has not done enough to address its issues.
In a statement, IAM President Bob Martinez said, “Our members remain unified and determined to achieve a fair contract. We are committed to bargaining in good faith and continue to call on the company to negotiate an agreement that gives our members the security and pay they deserve. We stand ready to work out an agreement that meets our members’ needs.”
The union has expressed frustration with Mack Trucks management and appears to be preparing for a long-term battle. As part of their response, they have set up a strike fund to help support employees in the event that the strike continues for an extended period of time.
For now, the union has promised to remain in bargaining, while also asserting that they will not accept anything less than what they deserve. The future of the dispute is uncertain, but it seems clear that the Mack Trucks employees are determined to fight for a better deal.