Manufacturing Staff Strikes After Contract Talks Break Down

Workers at manufacturer Fairbank Scales are on strike after contract negotiations failed.

Workers at manufacturer Fairbank Scales picket after contract negotiations failed, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017 in St. Johnsbury, Vt.
Workers at manufacturer Fairbank Scales picket after contract negotiations failed, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017 in St. Johnsbury, Vt.
Andrew McGregor/Caledonian-Record via AP

ST. JOHNSBURY, Vt. (AP) — Some workers at a Vermont manufacturer have walked off the job after negotiations for a new contract broke down.

Members of U.E. Local 234, who work at the Fairbanks Scales facility in St. Johnsbury, voted to go on strike Monday and walked out Tuesday. The Caledonian Record reports the local union members comprise a little over half of the facility's 110-member workforce. 

The union members formed a picket line Wednesday, saying the company didn't put forward a fair wage increase and failed to respond to multiple benefit proposals. 

Fairbanks officials say they "presented fair and reasonable terms during negotiations," and the company hopes contract issues can be quickly resolved.

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