More than 250 are on strike at Parker Lord’s Erie County plant. HeresWhy

Members of Local 1211 of the International Association of Machinists say they waited patiently for five years as they lost earnings to inflation.

Union workers at the Parker Lord facility in Summit Township — more than 250 of whom went on strike Jan. 10 — say the company has an offer on the table that will provide them raises of about 3% in each year of a five-year contract.

But it will not make for the lost buying power of union members who, following a strike vote, began to assemble on the picket lines after midnight on Jan. 10.

Those workers were still there on the morning of Jan. 12. Bundled up against sub-freezing temperatures, workers clutched signs, waved to passing motorists and warmed themselves by barrel fires.

Not everyone voted to strike.

The company said in a statement that, “Team members represented by IAM Local 1968 voted not to strike, and therefore their new five-year labor agreement has taken effect.”

It wasn’t immediately known how many members are included in Local 1968.

Despite the bitter weather, striking workers will be there “as long as it takes,” said Kermit Forbes, assistant directing business representative for IAM District 98.

What is IAM Local 1211 seeking?

Thanks to inflation, employees would need an increase of between 9% and 11% just to keep pace with what union employees used to make, said Steve Gurga, president of IAM Local 1211.

Gurga didn’t say specifically what increases the union is seeking. He did say that the union simply wants to make up for the money lost over the course of the last five-year contract.

Forbes also said that the union prefers a three-year contract this time around.

When it comes to wages, “All we want is our fair share,” he said.

Gurga said that Cleveland-based Parker Hannifin Corp., which purchased Lord Corp in 2019, has enjoyed good times in recent years.

“They have recorded record profits year after year,” he said.

The most recent quarterly earnings report for the publicly traded company, released Nov. 6, did show strong results.

According to the earnings report, sales for the most recent quarter set a new record at $5.1 billion, while net income rose 16% to $808 million.

What is the company saying?

A spokesman for the company declined to answer questions about whether plant operations would continue while union workers are on strike.

“Our first priority is the safety of our team and our community,” the company said in a statement. “We have implemented our business continuity plans to maintain safe and compliant operations.”

The company concluded: “While we are disappointed in IAM Local 1211’s choice to strike, we will continue to respect the collective bargaining process and not comment on specific details of the proposed new collective agreement at this time.”

While Lord also operates facilities in Saegertown and Cambridge Springs, the Summit Township plant produces advanced adhesives and anti-vibration systems used in the aerospace industry.