ROCHELLE — It’s back on the job for IAM Local Lodge 2068 union workers employed by Silgan Containers in Rochelle.
On strike since Dec. 8, 2018, the union voted by majority Friday morning to accept the company’s most recent contract package offer that includes incremental raises over the next three years.

Citing wages, increased insurance premiums and deductibles and working conditions, the union struck for the second time in 42 years. That strike lasted three months.
Rick Pease, LL 2068 President said in a statement that a compromise was reached between the union and company.
“Nearly six weeks to the day after our membership voted to strike, by a majority we voted to accept the company’s latest offer,” Pease said. “Although it wasn’t everything we fought for, it was enough for membership to accept the offer. The strike has turned a negative offer into a positive one for the next three years.”
“We came together to stay in this together,” said Ian Eriks, a line mechanic in the plant. “We’re going back to a lot of unknowns on the other side of that wall… We want Silgan to be a place that people who work here consider a career, not just a stop on the way to another job; we want conditions and wages to attract a career-minded person.”