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