Union Statement in Response to Martz Attempt To Declare Impasse

Martz Gold Line workers went on strike yesterday to send a clear message to the company that they will not be intimidated and are ready to continue their fight for a fair contract. 

Throughout the negotiations, the Union has been and at the moment continues to be the only side engaging in good faith. Martz has attempted to continue their harassment and bullying of striking workers. Yesterday, the company blatantly lied to the Union and falsely claimed that the two sides were at an impasse and as a result they intend to implement their last contract offer - the same offer workers overwhelmingly rejected. The facts say otherwise.

We are not at impasse - the Union remains willing to bargain and modify its proposals as it has done the entire process. The company has simply gone through the motions and rejected nearly all of the Union’s proposals to improve benefits for workers. That is not impasse- that is bad faith bargaining and is against federal labor law.

Earlier this week, the Union told Martz that the company must show that they are capable of good faith bargaining and improve the contract offer workers rejected before the Union would make any more modifications.

The Union cannot wait for its opportunity to fully make its case to the NLRB over Martz’s continuing failures to bargain in good faith. Meanwhile, workers will be on strike as long as it takes and remain strong. The Union is ready to return to the bargaining table as soon as Martz has a proposal that improves working conditions and workers benefits.