Salem mayor helps arrange talks to end American Standard strike

STAFF REPORT

SALEM — Mayor Jerry Wolford says he believes lines of communication can be re-established between management and union workers at American Standard.

Wolford said Tuesday he helped arrange a meeting place at the request of United Steelworkers of America Local 1538 to discuss a proposal that called for wage cuts and higher insurance costs, along with incentives.

The meeting is set for 7 p.m. today at Salem High School.

Workers went on strike Nov. 17 after receiving the proposal.

“I, like many others in the Salem community, am hopeful that this meeting will lead to some movement that will result in resolving the strike at American Standard,” Wolford said.

A union representative did not return a call.

U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson of St. Clairsville, D-6th, had been involved in talks when the workers initially hit the picket lines.

It wasn’t clear whether Wilson is in communication with the workers and management. His spokesperson could not be reached.

The plant had about 340 hourly workers and about 37 salaried workers.

American Standard makes bathtubs, sinks and lavatories.

Since the strike began, up to 30 jobs were lost when a bathtub line was transferred to another facility.

Company spokeswoman Tracy Benson Kirker was unavailable to comment on the meeting.

The company has said the proposal, which workers did not vote on, was the final offer.

A federal mediator has been involved with the talks.

Kirker has said some workers have crossed the picket line.