The United Auto Workers resumed its strike at a plant operated by Volvo Truck in rural Virginia after union members rejected a proposed contract for the second time in a month.
The union said in a statement UAW Local 2069 members at Volvo Truck in Dublin, Virginia voted down a tentative agreement Sunday due a wide range of concerns, covering virtually every aspect of the contract.
The UAW bargaining committee has requested a meeting to discuss open issues with the company that include the interview process for future hires, healthcare, wages, health and safety issues, working conditions, plant shift operations, contractual time off and wage progression.
UAW members resumed their strike today at noon, the union said in a statement.
The Local 2069 bargaining committee will be ready to resume bargaining on open issues on Wednesday, according to a letter sent to the company by Ray Curry, director, UAW Heavy Truck Department.
Critical issues remain unresolved
The key issues appeared to revolve around proposed change to the health care plan and a two-tier wage system.
Labor Notes recently also reported that Volvo Workers also are looking for a contract that is like the one covering workers employed at Mack Truck at plants in Pennsylvania and Maryland. Mack Truck is also operated by the Volvo Truck Group and the current contract at Mack was negotiated during a strike in 2019.
Equity has been a major issue during the dispute in Virginia.
The UAW began a strike at the Virginia plant in April, but suspended it after 13 days so workers could vote on a contract proposal endorsed by the union’s bargaining committee. The proposed agreement was rejected decisively in mid-May with more than 91% of the union, voting to turn down the proposal. Company and union negotiators tried again but the second agreement also was rejected, setting the stage for the resumption of the strike.
