Union pickets at Oshkosh Corp.

OSHKOSH - Oshkosh Corporation is going through some labor pains with its union as both sides negotiate a new contract.

With their current five-year contract set to expire in a week and a half, union members turned out to walk the picket line in front of three of Oshkosh Corporation's plants in Oshkosh Tuesday.

"We're just out here for solidarity today to let our brothers on the bargaining committee know we support them," said Jeff Frank, a union member for seven years.

They're also trying to let the public know all is not well at the bargaining table between the union and company officials. Members of United Auto Workers Local 578 call this an informational protest.

"We're extremely far apart right now on the pertinent issues facing our 3,000-plus members and we're definitely working hard to address each and every concern," said Joe Preisler, UAW Local 578 vice president.

Their signs indicate workers are asking for a fair deal, which is what Oshkosh officials say workers are already getting.

"I think the bottom line is that our union employees here in Oshkosh have some of the highest wages and health benefits in the area," said John Daggett, Oshkosh Corporation vice president.

Oshkosh Corporation is currently busy getting out trucks for the military. Its workforce is said to be at its peak. But possible cuts in defense spending in the years ahead have company officials concerned.

"And that's going to result in fewer defense contracts down the road. That's also going to mean there's going to be highly competitive bids for that so we have to have the low cost structure," explained Daggett.

With the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan winding down, Congress this summer cut military spending by $350 billion over the next 10 years. And more cuts are likely.

Workers say the company has flourished in recent years and want to be rewarded for the success.

"All I can tell you is we're looking for a way to reward our skilled workforce that we have out there," said Preisler, indicating he could not go into specifics about the negotiations.

Meanwhile, daily contract negotiations continue, with both sides hoping to avoid a strike and keep production moving.

The current contract ends at midnight Sept. 30.