Salem plant extends worker contract to Oct. 15

staff report

SALEM — The president of United Steelworkers of America Local 1538, Rick Hands, said Friday that American Standard officials will meet Oct. 13 to discuss a new contract.

The company has extended its contract with the workers until Oct. 15.

The company has given its workers its final offer for a new contract and the union members have given union leaders authority to call a strike.

Hands thanked the company for allowing the workers to continue to work.

The plant has about 340 hourly workers and about 37 salaried workers. American Standard makes bathtubs, sinks and lavatories.

Company spokeswoman Tracy Benson Kirker said earlier this week that the company has made its final offer.

Kirker has said the company is asking for wage concessions, and the package has a high-quality health insurance plan with the same services but with a higher deductible and a lower premium contribution.

The company’s share of 401(k) retirement costs will go from a $1 match for every worker’s $1 contribution to 75 cents for every employee dollar.

However, Kirker said there is a new profit-sharing program. She did not release details.

Hands said that new hires would be paid at a lower rate.

Kirker said that the Salem plant was recently spun off from other units that were sold and now is a stand-alone company.