Iowa Employer Fails To Offer Living Wage; Worker Strike Continues

The strike continues at CNH Industrial as both sides leave the negotiation table.

On May 2^nd, 1,000 workers in Burlington, Iowa, and Racine, Wisconsin went on strike after contract talks faltered. Employees at the two facilities then went on strike to fight for higher wages and benefits.

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According to the head of the union representing the employees (UAW Local 180), the company's most recent offer included wages below a living wage. Currently, neither side has been specific about what these offers were.

In an email statement, CNH said that after many meetings, they offered an “all-encompassing” and “comprehensive” offer and the “union declined to meet or allow the company to explain its position and proposal.”

The union statement about the negotiations said CNH entered the negations with what it called “principles of fear and intimidation,” and that the company’s latest proposal “falls short of our member’s bargaining agenda. Our bargainers are meeting with our members and communicating the unresolved areas of concern.”

The last strike at the two facilities happened back in 2004, also during negotiations for a new contract.

UAW workers at CNH Industrial facilities and Caterpillar- whose labor contract runs out in 2023- are hoping to make gains like the workers at John Deere did.

In the Journal Times, UAW Local 180 President Yasin Mahdi says that the longer the strike goes on the better offer they will get from CNH. He says that their competitor, John Deere, continues to produce tractors and equipment, and CNH, who is known for their Case IH and New Holland tractors,  is being held back by more than 1,000 American workers on strike.