Definition
The 2015 Kohler strike was a labor dispute in which employees of the Kohler Company in Kohler, Wisconsin, represented by the United Steelworkers (USW) Local 833, engaged in a work stoppage to protest proposed changes to wages, benefits, and job security provisions during contract negotiations.
Overview
The strike began on August 10, 2015, after the expiration of the previous collective bargaining agreement and the inability of the parties to reach a new contract. Approximately 2,700 workers walked off the job, affecting the production of plumbing fixtures, furniture, engines, and other consumer goods manufactured by Kohler. The strike lasted for 30 days, ending on September 9, 2015, when a tentative agreement was reached that provided wage increases, maintained health benefits, and included provisions on job security and overtime. The settlement was subsequently ratified by the union membership.
Etymology/Origin
The term “2015 Kohler strike” combines the calendar year of the labor action (2015) with the name of the employer, Kohler Co., a privately held manufacturing firm founded in 1873. The word “strike” refers to the organized work stoppage employed by labor unions as a collective bargaining tool.
Characteristics
- Parties Involved: United Steelworkers Local 833 (representing Kohler employees) and Kohler Co. management.
- Duration: 30 days (August 10 – September 9, 2015).
- Issues Negotiated: Wage adjustments, health and retirement benefits, overtime pay, seniority rights, and job‑security measures.
- Economic Impact: Temporary reduction in Kohler’s output; estimated losses ranged from several hundred thousand to a few million dollars, though precise figures were not publicly disclosed.
- Resolution: A three‑year contract that included a 2 % annual wage increase, preservation of existing health benefits, and a clause limiting the use of temporary workers.
- Public and Political Reaction: Local and state officials, including Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, urged both sides to negotiate in good faith. Media coverage highlighted the strike as part of broader labor‑management tensions in the manufacturing sector during the mid‑2010s.
Related Topics
- Kohler Co. (American manufacturing company)
- United Steelworkers (USW)
- Labor strikes in the United States
- 2015 United States labor actions
- Collective bargaining in the manufacturing industry
- Wisconsin labor relations history