Washington 72C workers at IPI Graphics Inc. of Upper Marlboro, Md., have gone past their 11th week of a strike.

Striking Local 72C employees have testified to National Labor Relations Board agents in response to a company request for decertification of the union.

The company has continued to refuse to negotiate with the local until most recently, when a federal mediator was able to persuade IPI Graphics to attend a negotiations session.

Local 72C Pres. Paul S. Atwill said: "We hope to resolve the issues of health care, pensions, wages, and job security language. We are sure IPI Graphics Inc. has spent a great deal of money on this strike that could have been spent on better employee benefits."

Local 72C was granted jurisdiction of the production employees at IPI Graphics. Atwill said: "We are working to better the working conditions of all the employees employed by IPI Graphics Inc.–those on strike or those who chose to cross our picket line. The local hopes all employees will benefit from our negotiations."

Photo courtesy of Washington 72C

Washington 72C workers on strike at IPI Graphics in Upper Marlboro, Md., picket at the plant.