CNH Industrial strike; Racine workers seek better pay
RACINE, Wis. - Union workers for a Case tractor manufacturing facility in Racine are spending their final days before Christmas fighting for better wages.
More than 1,000 workers at two CNH Industrial plants, including the one in Racine, have been on strike for more than seven months. Their message Saturday, Dec. 17 is that they're not giving up.
"Today is actually a good day for making noise," said worker Michele Bendix. "CNH is being the Grinch to our Christmas."
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Workers battled the cold amid a larger fight.
"It’s hard. I’d rather be inside at the job I enjoy doing, but instead we’re out here until we get the contract we deserve," Bendix said.
CNH Industrial workers, supporters strike in Racine
Warm weather has come and gone since workers at the Racine plant went on strike in May.
"It would be a fabulous Christmas present to my members to get a fair agreement," said Yasin Mahdi, president of United Auto Workers Local 180.
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Mahdi said they want to at least match the pay of other comparable jobs in the area, which he said is around $27 or $29 per hour.
"CEO’s compensation from a standpoint of salary and bonuses was about $20 million, so my guys are not making .25% of what he is making," said Mahdi. "It’s just really sickening."
"I feel like we’re not asking for a lot. We are the ones that make them their millions and billions of dollars – so why not share it," Bendix said.
CNH Industrial workers, supporters strike in Racine
Supporters from the Midwest and beyond joined the rally in solidarity one week before Christmas Eve before a caravan went to the factory's doorstep.
The seasons may be changing, but workers said their resolve won't.
"We’ve been out almost eight months. For us to just acquiesce our position, I don’t think that’s an option," Mahdi said.
CNH Industrial workers, supporters strike in Racine
"We’re going to stand out here until we get what’s deserved," Bendix said.
CNH Industrial has its headquarters in the U.K. Mahdi said the last offer from the company came in September. He said he'd like to talk directly to the company's CEO to reach an agreement.
In a statement CNH Industrial said:
"We are disappointed that despite our best efforts we have been unable to reach a tentative agreement for our employees. Our last, best and final offer for our Racine, WI and Burlington, IA plants included significant wage increases, the addition of three new and different healthcare plans to choose from and many other enhanced benefits. Since April and throughout the UAW-initiated strike, we have been negotiating in good faith to reach an agreement that is fair and reasonable to our employees, our Company and our customers."