About 90 UAW members are on strike in Oshkosh

About 90 members of the United Auto Workers in Oshkosh went on strike Tuesday in response to what they say have been delayed negotiations on a new union contract.

The UAW Local 291 members work for Indiana-based Cummins Inc. at the company’s drivetrain and braking systems plant in Oshkosh. Ryan Compton, president of the local union, said they produce heavy duty axles for construction and military vehicles at the plant.

Compton said the company came to the bargaining table just one day before the contract expired in late January. He said the union has met with the company nine times in-person and “one-and-a-half times virtually.” But last week, he said the company told the union it wouldn’t meet in-person again until late April.

Since late January, he said the workers have been operating under their previous collective bargaining agreement.

“We’ve got to get this going,” Compton said. “They say they want an agreement. We want an agreement. We want to get back to work, but we just can’t sit out in limbo.”

In a statement, a spokesperson for Cummins said they’ve been in “good faith” negotiations with the union.

“We remain committed to exploring all available options to reach a mutually acceptable agreement while maintaining transparent communication with employees, customers, and stakeholders,” the spokesperson said. “Our next meeting is scheduled in the coming weeks.”

Compton said the biggest sticking points in the negotiations have centered around temporary workers and mandatory overtime on Saturdays. 

He said the plant does not currently employ temp workers, and the union would like to keep it that way. That’s because they want workers to be hired on by Cummins full-time, Compton said.

Under the previous agreement, Compton said the workers are required to work up to 18 Saturdays each year or up to six Saturdays each quarter until they hit 18. He said the UAW is fighting to keep the cap on the number of Saturdays workers will be required to come into the plant.

“That’s probably our biggest sticking point, mandatory Saturdays,” Compton said. “Cummins preaches work-life balance, and then they want more overtime out of people.”