More than 90 members of UAW Local 291 have initiated a strike at Cummins Inc. in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The walkout follows the company’s failure to offer a contract that meets the workers’ demands for fair wages, affordable health care, and job security.
“Despite the UAW Local 291 Bargaining Team’s continued efforts, Cummins management has refused to offer a contract that addresses our members’ priorities: fair wages, affordable health care, and job security,” said UAW Region 4 Director Brandon Campbell. He added that “Cummins is holding our members’ economic proposals hostage by their continued refusal to bargain, while demanding harmful concessions.”
The union has accused Cummins of delaying negotiations and making unreasonable demands. These include expanding the use of temporary workers and altering inventory procedures in ways that could undermine job security. “We’re not creating tiers at Cummins – period. They need to back off their temp worker proposals,” said UAW Local 291 President Ryan Compton.
Despite earning over $13 billion in profits over the past three years, Cummins has delayed bargaining until just before the contract expired and claims it cannot meet with union negotiators again until April 21. “It’s unacceptable,” Campbell remarked. “Our members are the ones building the industry-leading drivetrain systems that power this company’s success. They deserve to be treated with respect and dignity.”
In February, Local 291 members held a practice picket in preparation for potential strike action. Now on strike, they aim to secure a contract that addresses their grievances and provides economic justice.
Information from this article can be found here.
