For immediate release: October 31, 2017
Media contact: Chad McGinnis, International Representative, United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE), cmcginnis@ueunion.org, 646-522-5389
United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE), Local 234 strike for a fair contract beginning November 1st at 7 am at 2176 Portland Street, St. Johnsbury, VT.
UE Local 234 of St. Johnsbury, VT has been engaged in contract negotiations with Kansas City based Fairbanks Scales since October 11th, 2017 for a new Union contract at its St. Johnsbury manufacturing facility. On October 31st, Fairbanks management notified the Union that it was no longer prepared to offer any proposals to the Union.
The Company’s last offer failed to address many of the Union’s key concerns, demanded concessions from the Union, included steep health insurance premium hikes and did not offer adequate wage increases. The Union has put forward proposals to get fair wage increases, control health insurance premium increases among others designed to protect and improve the good Union jobs which help fuel the economy of St. Johnsbury. The Union workers who have made Fairbanks profitable deserve fair wage increases, affordable insurance and respect at work.
The Union workers of UE Local 234 at Fairbanks Scales in St. Johnsbury, VT will picket at the gates of the plant along with representatives from other area labor unions including UE Locals from Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts as well as community organizations to demand that Fairbanks engage in good faith negotiations and settle a fair contract with all due speed.