UPPER MACUNGIE TWP., Pa.- Time is ticking for a major cold storage warehousing and logistics company to work out a new contract deal with its Lehigh Valley workforce.
The current deal between Americold and workers at three facilities in Lehigh County expires at midnight on July 31, a representative for UAW Local 677 told 69 News.
A total of 175 workers are covered under the contract, the union rep said.
“At this time, the Union is not satisfied with the deal currently on the table. Our members have been clear about their concerns regarding health benefits, time off, and other key issues. We have submitted a counterproposal addressing those concerns and are now waiting for the company’s response,” the rep said, in an email to 69 News this week.
“We continue to meet with the company and remain hopeful that a fair agreement can be reached before the expiration date,” the rep added.
Amy Unger | WFMZ-TV
Union members will participate in a strike authorization vote on Saturday.
If a strike becomes necessary, operations at all three Upper Macungie Township facilities — 7150 Ambassador Drive, 651 Mills Road, and 6985 Snowdrift Road — would be affected. Workers could be on the picket line as soon as August 1, the union rep said.
69 News reached out to Americold several times but did not receive a response.
Americold, founded in 1903, is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
According to its website, the company has more than 220 facilities across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and South America – totaling approximately 1.4 billion refrigerated cubic feet.
Americold began operations in Upper Macungie in the 1970s. Locally, it also has a temperature-controlled warehouse in Ontelaunee Township in Berks County.