4,000 Mack Truck workers strike after rejecting tentative contract agreement

Unionized Mack Truck workers began a strike Monday after rejecting the latest contract offer from the company.

Around 4,000 employees with the big-rig manufacturer walked off the job Monday, according to union leaders.

“I’m inspired to see UAW members at Mack Trucks holding out for a better deal, and ready to stand up and walk off the job to win it,” United Automobile Workers president Shawn Fain said in a statement.

More than 30,000 UAW workers across 22 states are now on strike after the Mack Truck employees joined the picket lines. Workers at Ford, General Motors and Stellantis began striking on Sept. 15.

UAW negotiators working on behalf of Mack employees reached a tentative agreement with the company on Oct. 1. It included an immediate 10% raise and a 19% raise over the life of the contract, along with a ratification bonus of $3,500. However, 73% of unionized employees rejected the deal when it was put to a vote.

Employees still strongly disagree with the bosses on issues including work schedules, health and safety, pensions, health care, prescription drug coverage and overtime, among other things, according to Fain.

“The members have the final say, and it’s their solidarity and organization that will win a fair contract at Mack,” the union boss said.

Mack Trucks President Stephen Roy said he was disappointed by the results of the vote and the union’s corresponding decision to strike. He attempted to separate his company from other UAW negotiations, where employees have asked for even higher raises and better benefits amid their strike.

The UAW strike has gradually expanded for nearly a month from factory to factory and state to state. The union temporarily halted that expansion on Friday after GM agreed that workers at electric vehicle battery factories would be covered by the union.

With News Wire Services