Milwaukee, WI – A 32-day strike at Kohler Co. ended Dec. 16, resulting in a partial victory for over 2000 Kohler workers represented by UAW 833.

Voting 91% to ratify the new agreement, the strikers’ two main issues were addressed, as the wage gap between the two-tier pay system was narrowed and health insurance benefits were enhanced. With hundreds set to retire in the next few years, the two-tier system remains, hiring in new workers with less pay and benefits.

Equal pay for the same work, a challenge to the two-tier system, was a major theme of the strike, which garnered strong support from surrounding communities.

“The attacks against all workers have been relentless in recent years,” commented Corey Oliver of the Milwaukee-based United Worker Organization. “This all-out strike against a greedy billionaire family was a counter-offensive and inspired many of us.”

The Kohler strike began with a militant outpouring of action. Workers turned away trucks from entering the Kohler campus. They marched through town and gained support from across the nation. Local unions such as Teamsters 344 publicly pledged their support as UPS drivers refused to cross the picket line.

The Kohler family struck back, getting an injunction against UAW 833, leveraging labor law that's been crafted to defeat the very tactics that win strikes: the halting of production and labor solidarity. Yet with only a handful crossing the picket line out of thousands of workers on strike, Kohler could not run their facility at full capacity and felt the pressure to offer a better contract.

With this partial victory achieved in a not-so-common 2000-plus worker strike, in a climate of Right-to-Work and increased attacks on workers and oppressed communities, the labor movement pushes on.

#MilwaukeeWI #Strikes #KohlerStrike #UAW833

Kohler, WI – As of last week, Kohler Company and United Auto Workers Local 833 went back to the bargaining table for negotiations amidst a strike now entering its fourth week.

The negotiations come as company production at its facilities remain largely closed, with the overwhelming majority of members continuing the stand on their picket lines.

Support for the Kohler workers has come in from across the Midwest and the country, with food drives and donations coming in from across Wisconsin, including Madison, Milwaukee and Racine. The Wisconsin AFL-CIO has publicized a toy drive for striking workers, which hopes to help those families through the holiday season. The AFL-CIO also has called for supporters to join the picket line on Saturday, Dec. 19, ahead of Christmas weekend.

Resolutions from other unions were passed and financial donations have been sent to the strike fund, including $500 from Teamsters Local 344, $750 from the annual People's Thanksgiving event in Chicago, and $5000 from the United Council Staff Union of Illinois in the past week alone.

#KohlerWI #PeoplesStruggles #Wisconsin #KohlerStrike

Kohler, WI – Members of UAW Local 833 are picketing the sprawling Kohler plant here, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in a nearly month-long strike against a two-tier wage system that would condemn newer, ‘Tier B’ workers to poverty wages.

The strike, which began Nov. 15 and involves about 2000 workers, is attracting widespread support in labor movement. Members of many unions are joining Kohler workers on the picket lines, passing resolutions of support and sending financial contributions to the strike fund.

#KohlerWI #PeoplesStruggles #Wisconsin #strikes #KohlerStrike

Milwaukee, WI – Building solidarity with the more than 2000 Kohler workers on strike, the United Worker Organization, along with many other progressive organizations, have begun a food drive to support the works of UAW Local 833.

The Kohler family made billions during the economic crisis and froze wages for five years. Kohler workers have been out on strike for over 20 days.

“The workers at Kohler have put every bite of food in the Kohler family table, but to David Kohler, whose family made billions during the economic crisis, this isn't enough,” commented Daniel Ginsberg of the United Worker Organization. “We need this strike to succeed. Please donate.”

Donation points are as follows:

Milwaukee (East Side)

Riverwest Public House Co-operative

815 E Locust St, Milwaukee

Drop box inside the bar (non-perishable items only)

Milwaukee (South Side)

Voces de la Frontera

1027 South 5th Street, Milwaukee

Drop box inside (non-perishable items only)

Sheboygan

UAW 833 Emil Mazey Hall

5425 Superior Avenue: Sheboygan, WI

Make out a check to “UAW Local 833” and mail it in, or drop off supplies at the hall.

#MilwaukeeWI #PeoplesStruggles #KohlerStrike

Kohler, WI – On Dec. 5, a car caravan of students from the Milwaukee-based Youth Empowered in the Struggle (YES), along with community members, traveled to Kohler to support the workers and their fight for a fair and livable contract.

2100 Kohler workers voted, and on Nov. 16 they began the open-ended strike to fight for a decent contract. Their main demand is an end the two-tier system of pay. Many of the workers on the picket line have experienced strikes at Kohler before, as the workers have historically fought back against corporate greed.

“It's great to see the many workers fight back for the rights of their fellow coworkers, their spirit is strong, they will win,” said Gerardo Alvarado, a community member who traveled from Milwaukee to Kohler to join and support.

Communication will continue this upcoming week between the union and Kohler. Supporters from across the state and country will continue traveling to Kohler to show support until a decent contract is reached.

#KohlerWI #PeoplesStruggles #Wisconsin #KohlerStrike

Chicago, IL – A crowd of 100 people from all walks of life gathered in Chicago for an annual event, the People’s Thanksgiving. A fundraiser for Fight Back!, the event raised almost $1600, half of which was donated to the striking Kohler workers of UAW Local 833.

Eric Koene, a striking worker from the Kohler plant in Wisconsin and education director of UAW Local 833, said of their strike which started Nov. 16, “Kohler Company doubled its value from $3 billion to $7 billion in a year. So, we’re demanding an end to the two-tier wage scale.” Thinking about his future, he continued, “I have 22 years in the plant. My son, or grandson could come to work there someday, and I’d be working alongside them making a good wage, and they’d be making less than half of it.”

Dan Ginsberg, a trade unionist with the Milwaukee United Workers Organization introduced Koene. “Over 2000 workers are striking Kohler. All people concerned with economic justice, who are fed up with greedy billionaires taking more and more, need to be supporting this strike. Kohler workers and their union are igniting the next wave of struggle needed to revive a fighting workers’ movement in the U.S.”

Kait McIntyre, emcee of the event, presented Koene with an award called, “The ‘Big’ Bill Haywood Class Struggle Award.” The subtitle of the award: “The working class and the employer class have nothing in common.” This is the opening line of the preamble of the constitution of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), the fighting labor union from the early 1900s. “Big” Bill Haywood was the head of the IWW.

#ChicagoIL #PeoplesStruggles #PeoplesThanksgiving #KohlerStrike

Kohler, WI – Picket lines are strong here, Nov. 27, as about 2000 striking members of UAW 833 press their demand to end a two-tier wage system. The strike began Nov. 15 and is garnering widespread support in the labor movement. Workers from Madison, Milwaukee, Racine and Chicago have come to Kohler to back the strikers.

#KohlerWI #KohlerStrike #UAW833

On Nov. 19, members of AFSCME 3800 adopted a resolution in support of the Kohler workers and agreed to send them $250 to help their strike.

The resolution reads:

Solidarity with UAW 833 – Kohler Workers on Strike!

Whereas, 2000 Kohler workers in Wisconsin are on strike to win higher pay and an end to the two-tier wage system.

Whereas, as trade unionists we believe in the principles of equal pay for equal work, the right to a living wage, and the power of solidarity.

Whereas, UAW 833 is fighting against a two-tier wage system that betrays future workers and undermines those principles.

Whereas, the strength of UAW 833 is in their unity and determination as evidenced by the fact that 94% of the union's members voted to strike.

Whereas, past struggles of Kohler workers, including the longest major strike in US history, have inspired the labor movement for generations.

Whereas, the current action by UAW 833 will play an important role in the post “right to work” era in Wisconsin, showing labor unions once again how to bring back the fight and win for working people.

Therefore be it resolved, that AFSCME 3800, University of Minnesota Clerical Workers, stands in solidarity with the members of UAW 833 who are on strike for higher pay and an end to the two tier wage system.

Be it further resolved, that AFSCME 3800 encourages its members and members of the broader labor movement to support the strike through donations to the strike fund and participation in strike support activities.

Be it finally resolved, that AFSCME 3800 will encourage AFSCME Council 5, AFSCME International, Minnesota Central Labor Councils of the AFL-CIO, and the MN AFL-CIO, to pass similar resolutions and provide support as needed to the striking union members.

#MinneapolisMN #AFSCME3800 #Strikes #KohlerStrike

Kohler, WI – Sheboygan County Circuit Judge James Bolgert approved a temporary injunction against striking UAW 833 members ordering them not to disrupt traffic around the Kohler Company property. UAW members have now entered the third day in their strike, over a two-tier wage system and a rising contributions to health care.

“We fully support the striking workers of UAW Local 833,” said Kas Schwerdtfeger, a UPS driver and rank-and-file member of Teamsters Local 344. “They are an inspiration to all workers in Wisconsin and we stand with them in solidarity in their fight for a fair contract.”

Koehler Co. filed for the temporary injunction, restricting picketers from disrupting traffic, in and around the facility, preventing vehicles going into the facility and occupying any property on the Kohler Co. property, including driveways. Another injunction barring mass picketing is set to be heard next week on Wednesday, Nov, 25.

The injunction comes after more than 1000 members and supporters marched about two miles from the UAW hall to the company the evening of Nov. 16. UAW members have formed an energetic 24-hour picket line outside the Kohler Co. facility they plan to continue until they win a decent contract. Picketers also stopped any vehicle attempting to get into the property to ensure no union members were going into work.

Koehler is trying to use the legal weapon of injunctions to kill the strike. This tactic is a favorite for companies that use these sets of legal maneuvers designed to disrupt and eliminate worker solidarity, strikes, pickets and other vehicles for organized labor. If the company had its way, all strikes would be illegal, taking away the voice of workers demanding decent wages, benefits and safe working conditions.

The striking workers of Koehler represent a new battleground for Wisconsin, as they are going into what will be their first 'Right to Work' contract.

“This strike is not just for us, it is also for the community. There will be a trickle effect if we all end up making $12 or $13 an hour. I want the kids and the grandkids of the area to have something to look forward to,” says Barbara Turner, a skilled trades worker on strike with UAW 833. “We're not looking for the world, we are just looking for a fair contract. That is all we are looking for.”

#KohlerWI #AutoUnitedAutoWorkers #UAW #KohlerStrike