Union Ratifies 4-Year Contract With Kohler Co.

The month-long strike at the Kohler Company has ended with members of the United Auto Workers union overwhelmingly approving a four year contract at the Sheboygan County firm.

The UAW has been trying to eliminate the roughly $10 an hour pay gap between older and younger workers at Kohler. The union said the new contract will give the less experienced workers a bigger pay raise than higher-paid workers will receive, but not get rid of the two-tier system. Higher-paid employee Mark Rieger said he voted for the package to help his younger colleagues.

“It brings people some hope and a chance to do good,” Rieger said. “If they work hard, it’s nice to see them come up through the ranks.”

The Kohler Company said it welcomes its associates back to work, after they ratified a contract that provides increased pay and enhanced benefits.