Maple City Ice strike continues

NORWALK — Negotiations between Maple City Ice Co. and striking delivery drivers stalled this week.On Sept. 1, eight union drivers went on strike amid concerns that company executes planned to take away their pensions, a union representative told the Register.These eight men — who have all worked for the distributor for at least 25 years – deliver Anheuser-Busch and other alcohol products throughout the region.Negotiations to end the stoppage went on for eight hours Friday, company president Jeff Hipp, told the Register."I think there was some progress made," Hipp said. "We have another meeting scheduled for Tuesday."In addition to the original eight, seven other employees under a separate contract joined their colleagues on the picket line to show their support. Two of those employees have since gone back to work.That leaves 13 people on strike against Maple City Ice Co. for their reported stance on pensions.A union official, Chuck Collinson, contends the company intends to take away employee pensions, which the company says is not the case. The pension is controlled by the union, he said. Collinson was not available for comment Saturday. On Monday, company president Pat Hipp refuted Collinson's claims."Contrary to reports, the Maple City Ice Co. is not taking the pensions away from the eight employees who went out on strike on Sept. 1," the statement read. "There is nothing we would like more than to see these eight employees receive the pension they earned through the Central States."The full statement is available here.For now, the 13 men remain on strike outside the company's property in Norwalk. Reach reporter Patrick Pfanner at pfanner@sanduskyregister.com, follow him on Twitter @PatPfanner and follow the Register at Facebook.com/SanduskyRegisterDelivery drivers for Maple City Ice Co., located in Norwalk, went on strike after a dispute regarding pensions couldn't be resolved with management.