USA : Momentive workers on path to strike after rejecting contract
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WATERFORD — Workers at the Momentive Performance Materials silicone factory in Waterford soundly rejected the company's contract offer from the summer, setting the stage for a possible strike.
Of the roughly 700 union workers at the plant, 86 percent voted against the contract, which includes pay increases but also major increases in the cost of health care.
UNION SAYS HEALTH CARE CUT FATAL TO MOMENTIVE
Back in August, workers voted to authorize a strike, which would have to be OK'd by the Communications Workers of America, which represents workers at the site.
Voting took place Tuesday and Wednesday and union leaders with IUE-CWA Local 81359 had urged workers to reject the proposal.
Momentive provides silicone to a variety of industries, from the cosmetics industry to the automotive sector. The company has about 900 workers total at the Waterford site.
Workers at Momentive's smaller factory in Willoughby, Ohio also voted against the contract, which Momentive calls its "last, best and final offer."
"We're disappointed in this result as all of the changes reflected in the proposal were intended to provide a fair, market-based package for our employees and their families, while also allowing Momentive to remain competitive," Momentive spokeswoman Tina Reiber said Friday. "Represented employees voted in August to authorize union leadership to strike. If there is a strike, we plan to keep our sites open. We have comprehensive contingency plans in place which include utilizing staffing resources and leveraging our global assets in order to meet our customers' needs. The company stands ready to continue discussions with the IUE-CWA to reach a fair and balanced contract that meets the needs of the company and our employees."