OSHKOSH, Wis. (AP) — Union members at one of the largest employers in the Fox Valley have overwhelmingly rejected a new contract.
Local President Nick Nitschke (NICH'-kee) says 85.5 percent of union members voting Friday rejected the offer from Oshkosh Corp.
But Nitschke says the union hopes it doesn't have to go on strike. Some 2,800 of the nearly 3,100 members of United Auto Workers Local 578 voted.
The company was offering an 8 percent wage increase over five years and a $2,000 signing bonus. Workers would pay significantly more for health insurance and the company would have the right to hire some temporary workers under the proposal.
Company spokesman John Daggett calls the rejection disappointing. He says the union has requested a meeting with the company.
The Oshkosh Northwestern (http://bit.ly/mYfH9E) says the current five-year contract expires at midnight Friday.