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With 94% vote in favor of strike, union workers from Kohler walk off the job
With 94% vote in favor of strike, union workers from Kohler walk off the job
UAW workers at Kohler on strike
SHEBOYGAN -- Union members are picketing at the gates of the Kohler Co. after authorizing the first strike at the Sheboygan area company since 1983.
Hundreds of strikers marched from the union hall to the company Monday morning where picketing began at the gates of the plumbing and hospitality company. United Auto Workers Local 833 says 94 percent of voting members rejected Kohler's latest offer. About 1,800 workers attended Sunday's membership meeting.
Workers have taken issue with what they call an inadequate pay increase, higher health care costs and the continuation of a two-tier wage scale.
Kohler had called for three raises of 50 cents each — about 2 percent a year — for most of its workforce. The offer raised health care costs but included a $1,200 bonus that the company said could cover the increase.
FOX6 News has obtained the following statement from Kohler Company:
READ IT: Details of final contract offer to UAW 833 workers from Kohler Company
It's unclear how long this strike could last, but union workers say they're in it for as long as it takes.