Libbey Glass, workers unsettled on contract

United Steel Workers Local 711T now have a tentative contract extension through Wednesday, but the company is not budging on requests for raises and pension increases. Workers will continue operating the plant even if the extension passes without a resolution.



Libbey Glass is offering a three-year contract that will give union members a $1,000 bonus the first year, a 2 percent pay raise the second year and a 2.5 percent pay raise the third year, according to USW International Representative David Broussard.



Union workers met Dec. 22 and rejected that offer, Broussard said.



Libbey Glass told them they had nothing else to offer and asked union workers to revote on the offer, he said. After several meetings on Wednesday, the workers did not revote.



"I don´t make a habit of revoting on what we just voted down," Broussard said.



Broussard said the union workers want the company to offer a pay raise in the first year and increase funding to their retirement programs — neither of which are in the company´s contract proposal.



He said workers are also concerned about a three-tier pay scale which awards the highest level of pay to people working there for at least 15 years.



Broussard said the union is fighting to bring it down to about eight years to reach the top.



The company recently sent an email saying they will meet with union officials again next week, but did not specify a date, Broussard said.



Libbey Glass officials could not be reached for comment.