Kohler Strike Vote

It was a resounding no Sunday by members of the United Auto Workers Local 833, with 94 percent of those voting rejecting what Kohler described as their “last, best, and final offer” for a new contract with the union. This means around two-thousand people will be on strike starting today. At issue is how much in wage and health care benefit increases the two sides can agree to. Kohler said their latest offer would help to maintain the company’s potential growth for jobs and continue paying employees above the region’s norm for three years. Union officials, however, say the proposed increases are not enough, especially for seasonal and temporary employees, to reflect the company’s growth since the last union contract was approved in 2010. Hundred are expected to picket outside the company’s main factory in Kohler today. Meanwhile, Kohler says plans will be implemented to ensure customer product and service needs are met.