IAM Union Members at Toledo’s Libbey Glass End 18-Week Strike with Strong Ratified Contract

TOLEDO, Ohio, Dec. 22, 2025 - The members of IAM Local 1297 have overwhelmingly approved a new contract with Libbey Glass, effectively concluding an 18-week strike. Following over a year of negotiations, the workers' unwavering determination proved pivotal, enabling the IAM bargaining committee to secure and retain significant rights and benefits, as well as a robust economic package.

IAM District 54 President and Directing Business Representative T. Dean Wright, Jr., expressed his pride in the achievements of its members:

"I am incredibly proud of the members of IAM Local 1297 and their families. They stood united in solidarity for 18 weeks, making tremendous personal sacrifices, including during the holiday season, to protect one another and the contractual rights they have fought for over decades. I extend my sincere gratitude to each and every one of them. I also wish to thank my staff at IAM District 54, as well as the Libbey shop committee, who worked tirelessly not only during these past four months of the strike but also through the numerous months of negotiations prior to that, in order to safeguard the rights and benefits of our members at Libbey Glass. Additionally, I would like to offer my deepest thanks to the Toledo-area community for their steadfast support throughout the strike, particularly the labor community and UAW Local 12. I would also like to specifically acknowledge the efforts of USW Locals 700T, 65T, 59M, and their members, to secure improved contracts for all workers at Libbey Glass."

The highlights of the newly ratified 5-year contract include:

• An immediate wage increases of 14.25%, with additional increases in subsequent years.

• No increase in health insurance premium contributions for 2026.

• Retention of favorable plan design elements in health insurance benefits.

• A signing bonus of $3,000.

• Retention of premium pay at time-and-a-half for hours worked beyond regularly scheduled hours in a workday.

• Twelve (12) paid holidays, including eight (8)during the upcoming Christmas and New Year's season.

• And additional benefits.

The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) is one of North America's largest and most diverse industrial trade unions, representing approximately 600,000 active and retired members in the aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries across the United States and Canada.