Service & Solidarity Spotlight: USW Approves New Agreement with Libbey Glass; Secures Powerful Wage Increases

Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

United Steelworkers (USW) Locals 59M and 700T members have ratified their new collective bargaining agreements with Libbey Glass in Toledo, Ohio. This victory officially ends the monthslong unfair labor practice strike against the company.

Members of USW Locals 59M, 700T and 65T, along with IAM Union Local 1297, first walked off the job in August 2025 when management continued to demand concessions even after the bargaining units made major sacrifices in previous contracts to save Libbey Glass from bankruptcy. Workers stood strong and walked the picket line throughout a difficult winter, securing powerful wage increases and successfully fighting back against concession demands.

“We took care of each other. We had donations from other locals. We had support from the international union. All of that got us through,” said Dave Nelson, president of Local 59M. “Our motto from day one was ‘one day longer, one day stronger.’”

“We stuck together,” Local 700T President Joyce Marland said. “The members showed that they believe in each other.”