Amherst: Nordson workers strike after contract talks fail

AMHERST — When their contract expired at the stroke of midnight Monday, 133 union members went on strike at Nordson Corp.'s Industrial Coating Systems plant. Picketers from International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 1802 held red-lettered strike signs in the air throughout the day at eight locations around the manufacturer's buildings on Amherst's south side. The walkout came after negotiations over a new three-year contract fell through, both sides said. According to the union, the company's "last, best and final" contract offer included mandatory overtime, and it would have required employees to work at least 32 Saturdays per year, with Sundays as an option. It's unclear whether hourly wages are part of the negotiations. On Nov. 2, the union shared a tweet by former Democratic state Senator Nina Turner, calling for a $25 per hour minimum wage. However, it has not shared information on wages as part of the recent failed negotiations. Strikers at the site declined to comment Monday, directing media to speak with Local 1802 president Ron Adkins. Reached by phone, Adkins said statements had to go through IAM District Lodge 54 spokesman Don Riffee, who in turn referred reporters to IAM Communications Director Jonathan Battaglia. Battaglia's phone did not accept calls Monday afternoon. An automated message said the caller could not be reached and did not go through to voicemail. In a written statement online, IAM District 54 President T. Dean Wright Jr. said Nordson workers in Amherst "put themselves and their families at risk during a pandemic to ensure their critical jobs were done and that this company remained successful. Now we're simply asking for a respectable contract that has a basic level of work-life balance for our members." Nordson Corporation provided a statement from Industrial Coatings Systems Division Vice President David Titone, who said the company is disappointed by the union's decision to stop work. "We believe we have presented a fair and equitable proposal that will provide for industry-leading wages and benefits while allowing for an economically sustainable profile for the company in a very competitive market," he said. "We remain completely committed to reaching a new contract with our employees." Amherst Mayor Mark Costilow said Nordson is one of the city's largest employers, next to Tyson, the Amherst Schools and University Hospitals. "I hate to see the manufacturing stop. It's hard on any business," he said, later adding, "They're very important. They've been here a long time and I hate to see it." Costilow said that with inflation pushing up prices on food, clothing, shelter and gas, he understands why workers are fighting for benefits. Yet he said he sees "legitimate worries" on the part of companies like Nordson, many of which are having difficulty shoring up their workforces. Nordson said it expects to continue operating through the work stoppage by using available resources. "All interim resources will be supported by the same safety training, processes and standards that are currently in place for regular employees," it said. The Industrial Coatings Systems plant in Amherst "provides both standard and highly-customized equipment used primarily for applying powder and liquid coatings, adhesives and sealants," according to Nordson. The company said the segment was 12 percent of its total revenue in fiscal year 2021. Nordson maintains a labor relations website that specifically addresses the negotiation process with IAM Local 1802. It claims its wages are 17 percent above market wages compared to other local manufacturing organizations. The company site also said workers get a 401(k) with company match, health care benefits, life insurance, free health screenings and flu shots and access to more than 5,000 professional development courses. It said Nordson has significantly invested in its Amherst campus over the past five years, adding employee safety enhancements, new production systems and amenities. Nordson also said it did not lay off any Industrial Coatings Systems Division workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jason Hawk can be reached at (440) 329-7122 or news@lcnewspapers.com.