Members and Retirees of Local 5328

Good evening all. 

 The company has asked for an agreement to extend the CEWS for period 5. The union executive are looking at this and will determine if it’s beneficial to the members. 

 Backpack program. Our great local started this a few years back to help those children in need.  ArcelorMittal jumped on board and became the major sponsor.  Last year, with the help of other locals, we were able to produce 1500 backpacks for Hamilton, Brant and Norfolk regions. ArcelorMittal agreed to sponsor this year but as time grew near, they decided to back out. The USW Hamilton Area Council, with the help of a bunch of union locals, have band together to try and reach close to that number again. We need your help too. There will be a plant gate collection on Tuesday July 28 and Wednesday July 29 at all shift changes. Please give if you can. Any amount will help!! 

 In solidarity, 

Anthony Ciaramella 
President
USW Local 5328

Libbey Bankruptcy – July 24, 2020

This week, our bargaining committee met on several occasions with Libbey management and their lawyers. We developed and presented a reasonable counter proposal to the outrageous demands that management presented to us on June 2nd.

Our proposal is reasonable, fair and comprehensive considering the current status of the company in bankruptcy.

We have made an offer regarding wages and important contract language issues aimed at providing the company with financial flexibility while preserving as many jobs as possible--including the continued operations in both Toledo and Shreveport.

Judging from management’s reaction to our proposals, the company has already determined that major concessions, permanent capacity reduction and wholesale layoffs in Shreveport are the only ways to save the company. Plus, the company continues to reject our justified demands to be able to protect our contracts, our benefits, and our jobs through our proposals for corporate protections that numerous other employees in similar circumstances have agreed to over the years.

Further, management has not moved-off of its ridiculous, one-sided demands contained in its original June 2nd proposal.

We continue to demand that the company fulfill all of our information requests and we have made new information requests to understand new issues relating to their updated business plan.

The company has demanded major concessions from the workers, yet they refuse to recognize the employees as stakeholders in the future.

We are scheduled to re-engage with management and their lawyers next week and we hope they are prepared to bargain in good faith and that they recognize the employees are a significant contributor in the long-term viability of Libbey.

Your support for your bargaining committees and our solidarity and determination are important to achieving a fair and equitable contract. Stay strong and stay safe, we’ll keep you updated as we proceed.

In Solidarity – USW/Libbey Bargaining Committee