Workers strike outside the Kohler Company headquarters

The 2015 Kohler Strike is the fourth strike in the 142-year-old history of the Kohler Company in Kohler, Wisconsin.

Background

In December 2010, the Kohler Company and United Auto Workers Local 833 reached agreement on a new five-year labor contract, that covered approximately 2,300 union workers at the company's two Sheboygan County, Wisconsin manufacturing locations. The contract passed 1,152 to 717, with 62 percent of union members voting to ratify the deal and 38 percent voting no. Throughout negotiations, Kohler Company officials insisted labor concessions were needed as the company's Sheboygan County manufacturing plants are easily the company's most expensive to operate, and products produced there are no longer competitive.[1]

The deal included a five-year wage freeze, higher health care premiums and the creation of a two-tiered wage and benefit system. It also allowed for the limited use of temporary workers.[2]

Past strikes

The first Kohler Company strike, which began in 1934, lasted seven years and resulted in the shooting deaths of two strikers during a riot outside the company’s factory.[3] The second strike was in 1954 and lasted 6 years. It was marred by acts of violence and vandalism. The third strike, which occurred in 1983 and lasted several weeks, saw car windows smashed by demonstrators and two union members injured by a motorist who drove his vehicle through a picket line.

Timeline

Before the strike

The Board of Directors of the Kohler Company elected David Kohler the company president and CEO on April 29, 2015, passing leadership of the family business to Herbert Kohler, Sr. grandson.[4] The 76 year old Herbert Kohler, Jr. would continue as company chairman and would oversee the company's hospitality and real estate group.[5]

On November 11, 2015, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported negotiations between the company and the United Auto Workers were continuing, but with a deadline laid down by the union approaching, the two sides were "not even close to an agreement," said Tim Tayloe, president of UAW Local 833.[6]

On November 13, workers held an informational picket[7] outside the Kohler Company owned-and-operated The American Club ahead of a possible strike.

On November 14, the Kohler Company released its "last, best and final offer."[8][9]

The strike begins

On the morning of November 15, 2015, an estimated 1,800 UAW Union members attended a meeting at Sheboygan South High School. 94 percent voted down the proposed Kohler Company proposal and approving a strike.[10] The second day of the strike on November 16 began with workers marching 1.58 miles from Emil Mazey Hall in the Town of Sheboygan to the Kohler Company Headquarters.[11][12] Closed entrances to the company campus caused traffic congestion for morning commute with traffic backed up into nearby cities of Sheboygan and Sheboygan Falls. About 150 union employees were blocking the only company entrance as of 6 a.m. and preventing non-union employees from entering.[13] Three days into the strike on November 17, Sheboygan County Judge James Bolgert issued a temporary injunction barring picketers from interfering with traffic near Kohler Company property.[14] The temporary injunction issued Tuesday bars demonstrators from interfering with traffic on public roads and with vehicles entering or leaving Kohler Co. property. It also restricts picketers from seizing and occupying Kohler property, including driveways.[15][16][17] On the fourth day of the strike, UAW Local 833 told Wisconsin Public Radio that the company has not responded to a request for more contract talks.[18]

During the first week of the strike, the Village of Kohler has also asked for help from the Sheboygan County Sheriff's Office and the neighboring Sheboygan Falls Police Department with traffic control.[19]

On the seventh day of the strike, union members and supporters held mass picket in support of striking Kohler Company workers on November 21 during company's American Club hosts its popular Wisconsin Holiday Market.[20] The street in front of the American Club and the Kohler Company headquarters was closed to traffic during the picket.[21]

Resolution

After 32 days, the strike ended as UAW Local 833 and Kohler struck a deal which was ratified by 91% of the union. The deal secured wage increases for Tier A and B employees, narrowing the pay gap between new hires and older workers. Pension benefits were improved and healthcare premium increases were minimized. [22]

References

  1. ↑ "Kohler workers vote to approve new contract". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. December 19, 2010. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  2. ↑ "Union workers vote to accept Kohler Co. contract". The Sheboygan Press. December 19, 2010. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  3. ↑ "Police tackle traffic, noise at Kohler strike". The Sheboygan Press. November 18, 2015. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  4. ↑ "Herbert Kohler Jr. stepping down as CEO of Kohler Co". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. April 29, 2015. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  5. ↑ "Kohler Co. passes company leadership to fourth generation". Milwaukee Business Journal. April 29, 2015. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  6. ↑ "Strike at Kohler Co. seems possible as contract deadline approaches". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. November 11, 2015. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  7. ↑ "Kohler Informational Picket on November 13, 2015". Wisconsin Public Safety Photo Library. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  8. ↑ "Kohler Co. Last, Best and Final Contract Offer". Kohler Company. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  9. ↑ "Kohler makes 'last, best offer'". Herald Times Reporter. November 14, 2015. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  10. ↑ "Kohler workers reject offer, OK first union strike at company since 1983". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. November 15, 2015. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  11. ↑ "2015 Kohler Company Strike March". Wisconsin Public Safety Photo Library. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
  12. ↑ "Strike officially begins as union rejects Kohler Co. offer". WISN 12 News. November 16, 2015. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
  13. ↑ "Huge crowds gather as Kohler strike begins". The Sheboygan Press. November 16, 2015. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
  14. ↑ "Injunction issued against Kohler picketers". The Sheboygan Press. November 17, 2015. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  15. ↑ "Security: Kohler strike gets physical on day 2". WTMJ-TV. November 17, 2015. Archived from the original on 18 November 2015. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  16. ↑ "Judge issues temporary injunction against striking Kohler workers". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. November 17, 2015. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  17. ↑ "2015 Kohler Company Strike, Day 3". Wisconsin Public Safety Photo Library. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  18. ↑ "Labor Secretary Talks Kohler Strike, Minimum Wage During Visit". Wisconsin Public Radio. November 19, 2015. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
  19. ↑ "Kohler Union Strike Causing Some Village Disruptions". WBAY-Tv. 18 November 2015. Archived from the original on 20 November 2015. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
  20. ↑ "Union plans mass picket to support striking Kohler workers". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. November 19, 2015. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
  21. ↑ "2015 Kohler Company Strike, Day 7". Wisconsin Public Safety Photo Library. Archived from the original on 24 November 2015. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
  22. ↑ "Kohler employees OK new contract, end 32-day strike".
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