This Monday, March 22, the local bargaining committee will be meeting with USW staff to begin formulating a proposal to present to the company as we prepare for effects bargaining.

The right to bargain over the effects of the company’s decision to close our facility is one of the last safeguards a union contract provides. This will give us a chance to discuss severance, health care, and more. 

We intend to take full advantage of this opportunity, which will require planning and preparation as we get ready for these difficult negotiations with the company. While this may take time, we will be sure to keep you updated as the process unfolds.

Community outreach

This past week Local 8-957 continued our community outreach campaign, spreading the word about the devastating impact the closure of our plant will have on Morgantown and what a huge blow it will be for the entire country to lose our supply of generic pharmaceuticals.

Last week, representatives from the local spoke with more than a dozen D.C. lawmakers about the situation.

Staff representative J.D. Wilson this week also spoke with WAJR Radio about our fight.

He stressed that Viatris is one of the last remaining pharmaceutical manufacturers left in the United States after at least a dozen domestic generic plants shuttered in the past five years and their production lost overseas.

Viatris has stated that it similarly intends to ship our work to India and Australia.

As we reminded our elected officials, without our plant, our country is vulnerable to disruptions in supply chains like those that left us scrambling for masks and ventilators last year.

This fight is not over, and as we continue moving forward, it is important we stay connected and united. Please sign up to receive updates by texting USW8957 to 77820. 

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