The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

International Fiber contract vote is today

Dayton gets boost from committee for UAV testing
5/24/12
Patrol searches Springfield dealership for stolen cards
5/24/12
Police headlines: Two accused of child endangering
5/24/12
Ad calls Brown career politician
5/24/12
Local Focus: Clark County for May 25
5/24/12
> More headlines

By Matt Sanctis, Staff Writer 6:02 PM Wednesday, May 4, 2011

URBANA – Employees at International Fiber Corporation in Urbana said they will likely vote today whether to accept a contract offered by the company, or whether a lockout imposed Tuesday afternoon will continue.

Kirsten Lenartowich, vice president of human resources and labor relations, said employees were initially placed on paid furlough beginning around 1 p.m. Saturday, April 30. She said the company proposed their final contract offer to the employees, who are being represented by the Teamsters Local 957 based in Dayton. A lockout was officially imposed at 3 p.m. Tuesday.

However, several employees said Wednesday they want to return to work and described Tuesday’s lockout as a scare tactic. Several employees said they were surprised when told they would be on paid furlough toward the end of the company’s first shift.

“It was surreal,” said Andy Draper, a blender operator who has worked at the company for nine years. “We couldn’t believe it was happening.”

Draper said the union and the company had been negotiating over several issues, including benefits, pay and management rights. He said the 90 employees involved were planning to vote today, and informed the company that was the case.

He declined to comment when asked whether the lockout will have any effect on today’s vote.

“I do think it’s brought us together,” Draper simply said.

Lenartowich said the company is still communicating with the union, and is hoping a resolution can be reached. In the meantime, the company, which runs 24 hours a day, is still running. The company produces dietary fiber used in a wide variety of products.

In a written statement earlier this week, union leaders said workers have offered concessions, including an increase in their health insurance contributions.

The company’s most recent collective bargaining agreement with the workers expired on Feb. 12. According to information from the union, employees continued to work under that agreement while negotiations continued. Negotiations have continued since they began in December last year.

Several employees said they want to return to work, and are planning to return to the site on Muzzy Road whether or not an agreement can be reached.

“I can tell you we’ll be out here one way or another tomorrow,” Draper said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0355.

Share this article