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TEAMSTERS CONDEMN OKONITE'S LIFE-THREATENING RETALIATION AS WORKERS STRIKE IN SANTA MARIA

On May 20, 2025, over 160 employees at Okonite’s facility in Santa Maria, California, initiated a strike following the company's decision to terminate their health insurance coverage.
Okonite terminated workers' medical benefits on May 19, shortly following the rejection of the company's final contract proposal, creating gaps in coverage and prompting the strike the next day.
Teamsters Local 986, representing these workers, demands immediate reinstatement of benefits and a fair contract addressing low wages and better protections.
Rick Olson, an experienced operator who relies on a monthly injection costing $1,000 to survive, expressed that losing his benefits has jeopardized both his health and his very survival.
Union leader Chris Griswold criticized the medical benefit cuts as a highly irresponsible and punitive action, emphasizing that Okonite has the means to support its employees fairly.

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Benzinga

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TEAMSTERS CONDEMN OKONITE'S LIFE-THREATENING RETALIATION AS WORKERS STRIKE IN SANTA MARIA

Employer Cuts Medical Benefits Before Strike, Leaves Workers with Gaps in Coverage SANTA MARIA, Calif., May 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Teamsters Local 986 is demanding the immediate reinstatement of medical benefits for more than 160 workers at Okonite's Santa Maria plant after the company abruptly cut off their health care coverage. ...Full story available on Benzinga.com

18 hours ago·New York, United States

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