Some 2,250 members of the International Association of Machinists (IAM) Local 1526 went on strike September 23 to oppose the bosses' demands for imposition of a two-tier wage structure, increased mandatory overtime, elimination of a planned wage hike, and increased health insurance costs.

At an October 25 strike support rally, union member Ken Penn said the vote rejecting the contract was 980 to 243. "The company offered a slight decrease in yearly mandatory overtime from 240 hours to 216," he said, "but it was not the decrease we were looking for. Wages are not even the main issue. But with the increase in insurance costs, the wage increase offered is insignificant."

Allen Lord, who has worked at the plant for 26 years, most recently in the sheet metal department, said the company "is not going to give us anything. We have to take it. That's what this strike is about. I have never crossed a picket line in my life and I'll hang in here. We are getting good support from the steelworkers and other unions."

The rejection of the contract by the striking machinists brought a quick reaction from the company, which was recently purchased by Maytag. Union members say they received a letter implying that they could be replaced with nonunion workers if they don't return to work. Iowa's Channel 11 News reported October 27 that a Maytag letter stated the company will have do what is best for its customers and expressed "hope" the workers would come to a decision based on their own "best interests."

Penn said that of the three letters Amana workers have received from Maytag during their five-week strike, this is the first to threaten their jobs. IAM officials are scheduled to resume negotiations with Maytag October 29.  
 
 
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