Thirteen mould-makers of the Anchor Glass glass plant in Shakopee, Minnesota, US, have been on strike since 1 September. The workers are part of a national strike by United Steelworkers Union against Anchor Glass Container Corp., which also has a further seven glass manufacturing plants.
For the first known time in its 50-year history, picket signs mark the entrance of the Anchor Glass glass plant in Shakopee, Minnesota, US.
The 13 mould-makers, members of Local 133T, the same workers who stood by the company when it underwent bankruptcy and a partial shutdown in 2006, have been on strike since 1 September.
The workers are part of a national strike by United Steelworkers Union against Anchor Glass Container Corp., which also has a further seven glass manufacturing plants.
The steelworkers and corporation could not reach an agreement on health care before the collective bargaining agreement expired 31 August, which would have increased employees’ health insurance contributions and deductibles, according to Shakopee mould-maker Mike LaPlant.
Anchor Glass says its offer actually increased the total compensation over the existing agreement, including an increase in hourly wages, no changes to the health care plan coverage for existing members and an increase in contributions to the pension plan.
Production continues at the plant, despite the strike as hundreds of employees who belong to the larger Glass Molders and Plastic Workers Union are still coming to work.
Striking workers nationwide represent approximately 6% of Anchor Glass’ hourly work force.
Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, Anchor Glass has annual revenue of approximately USD 800 million and approximately 2,900 employees.