UAW workers in Wisconsin strike after company gives its final offer

Submitted by Aram on November 5, 2004 - 12:41pm
Printer-friendly versionPrinter-friendly versionSend to friendSend to friend

UAW workers - more than 600 of them - walked off their jobs Wednesday at four CNH Global NV plants in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota. The workers are striking because they have no contract after the company put up a final offer demanding concessions. A six year contract ran out in May and the UAW has been unable to reach an agreement on a new contract with CNH Global NV. 350 of the striking workers are in Racine, Wisconsin and 225 in Burlington, Iowa. The rest are in Minnesota and Illinois. The company makes tractors and backhoes and similar farm and construction equipment. The UAW recommended a no vote o nthe company’s final contract offer, saying the offer takes back 40 years worth of gains in areas like health care costs and new hire wages. The company says workers gave notice around 10 a.m. and walked off their jobs around noon on Wednesday. Workers are picketing around the clock at the four plants.