Strike at PPG Facility in Savage, Md.

Unionized employees at the PPG Auto Glass distribution facility in Savage, Md., went on strike last Thursday, January 18, because of issues with company management over benefits and wages, according to union officials at the plant.

According to employees at the facility, the Pittsburgh, Pa., based company's management has refused to come to the bargaining table to work out differences.

"They just won't talk with us," said Steven Baker, shop steward. He added that some of the employees haven't had a raise in three years while their health care costs have been increasing.

"Our guys do practically everything to keep the branch operating at full capacity, from pulling parts to putting up stock as well as answering phones and customers' questions, in addition to delivering product in all kinds of weather," he stated. "I want to extend our apologies to our friends and customers. We understand how this is causing them big problems, but we have to do what we have to do."

At press time, both calls to the PPG corporate public relations department were not returned and efforts to get comment from PPG about the situation in Savage were unsuccessful.