UAW Local 1002 Union Members on Friday voted to reject a tentative collective bargaining agreement with Bradford White Corporation in Middleville that had been reached between the company and union negotiators last week.  As a result, the workers remain on strike, picketing in front of the water heater manufacturing facility. The workers walked off the job on September 16 after the old agreement had expired and a new agreement was not reached.

Union members have been seeking higher wages, a better paid time off program, and better health insurance benefits. 

A statement released Saturday by the company said:

"We are disappointed Local 1002 voted against ratification of a new collective bargaining agreement. The tentative agreement, which had been signed by local union representatives, offered meaningful wage increases and valuable benefits for our employees and their families. We are committed to being a leading employer in West Michigan, and the tentative agreement reflected that commitment. Our focus now is on establishing a clear, timely path forward that balances the interests of our workforce with the long-term needs of the business. Prolonged uncertainty does not serve our people or our customers, and we are evaluating next steps with those responsibilities in mind. In the meantime, we remain dedicated to serving our customers with the high-quality water heating solutions they depend on. We will continue to make thoughtful decisions that support our employees and position Bradford White for long-term success.”

It is unclear when the two parties will return to the bargaining table.